Hertford

Hertford is just north of London.  It would appear that as early as 1515 the surname Jones [spelled Joones in this case] was already active in the legal records.

"Edward Joones" is the name.  He is listed as "of London, brewer". [bundle 421/ no. 52 ]  His case involves a "John Ayleworth of Bristol".  The reason is "detention of deeds, messuage & land in Ridge". London and Bristol were key sea ports for trade through out the rising commerical network.  Why the case is recorded in Hertford is unclear, but I would guess that Edward Joones' family must be from this county.  A "brewer" indeed he is...cheers.

Bedford

Martin Jones is the only individual identify for the county Bedford.  It not an usual first name for a JONES, but perhaps a related family surname.

The date is 1603 - 1625.  The Bundle is 399 with the No. being 52.  This would make me think that old Martin was closer to 1620 or so.  The location and name of plaintiff is not listed in the index.  It would seem that as one moved closer to the London area [Middlesex] fewer individuals resided with the surname JONES.  Anyone know of this Martin Jones?

Buckingham

Dame Katherine Jones, widow it is.  The date is 1640 -1642, and Griffith Jones is the Plaintiff . [Bundle 407/ No. 88 ]

The location of the case is given as "East Claydon".  This case involves a female who is listed as "Dame" and a "widow".  It must have been a family affair since the plaintiff is also a Jones.  A Griffith Jones to be exact is listed.  This date is at the beginning of the English Civil War, and may have had to do with this episode in history.  Does anyone know the story of this JONES?  Buckingham was a county with a history of sheep and cattle raising.   The major road from North Wales [Holyhead, Chester, to London] came through this area.  The ancient "Watling-street" it was called.   I suspect these JONES were connected.

Northampton

The first JONES has to do with a parsonage of Colly Weston.  It would seem that William Alford, "late parson", had taken the "profits of the said parsonage demise". 

Alexander Jones, "parson of Colly Weston", appears to be the defendant, and a "Dame Anne Skevyngton" is the plaintiff.  The case is found in Bundle 1016/ No. 40-42 for the years 1538 - 1544.  It must have been a lengthy case since it covers No. 40 - 42.  It states: "profits of the said parsonage demised to the defendant by William Alford, late parson".   Any JONES families connected out there?

Leicester

Thomas Jones 1558 - 1579 is the first with the surname JONES in the county of Leicester.

There are two cases recorded during these years.   Case [101/41] has a plaintiff named "John Shelson" and case [103/9] has "Roger Kyrekeham".  Both cases involve "Thorpe Garendon (Gawden)" or spelled "Garendon (Garadon) Thorpe" in the second case.  The wife of Thomas Jones was listed as Elizabeth. 

Say hello to Thomas and Elizabeth Jones from Leicester County.

Lincoln

Now moving to the eastern side of the Island is Lincoln County.  The first with the surname JONES is a female.

Constance Jones is her name.  The date is 1551 - 1553, and involves a "Robert Alen".   A "messuage" [a dwelling house with the adjacent buildings and courtyard and the adjoining land used in connection with the household] in "Sterlying" and "Bourn" is the issue.  This land is listed as "late of Adam Arnolde, dec'd father of complainant".  [Bundle 1304/ No. 50 - 53 ]

There is a "John Jonson" found in 1538. [Bundle 1016/ No. 58 ]  This spelling may have become Johnson, but maybe even Jones.  No clear direction can be found.  So...Constance Jones is the first with the actual spelling JONES.

Westmoreland

Another northern county with a few JONES it is.   In 1651, Jeffery Jones is the first to be discovered among the English legal records. [Bundle 397/ No. 74]

The reason for the case is given as "copyhold of manor Thornthwaite".   The plaintiff is a Thomas Jackson and the case seems to be to carried forward to 1654 [Bundle 396/ No. 100].  Jackson and Jones is certainly an interesting combination.  There are only three cases identified after 1651 - 1700.

Are there any JONES families connected out there...please post a comment.