First JONES Kentucky 1774

Virginia surveys and grants were a large part of the early settlement of Kentucky. A book compiled by Joan E. Brookes-Smith published in 1976, outline the earliest land grants pertaining to the rewards in the form of land for service during the French and Indian War. A picture of the cover is shown to the right. [The original records for these surveys and grants are filed in the Secretary of State's office.]

On page 107 of this index is the earliest JONES to have registered a land grant in this new territory. Gabriel Jones is his name. On an unknown fork of the Elkhorn, June 25, 1774, he makes a survey date [original survey No. 8104.] It is shown to be "Military & Fincastle Co, [Virginia] for 2,000 acres.

Of course, the Revolutionary War stepped in between this land granting process, and it was not until July 7, 1788 that "Robert Jones & Heirs" [grantee], had the land grant completed. [Original Book, #6, pp. 624-625.]

Wow, the summer of 1774. What a deal.

From: Master Index Virginia Surveys and Grants 1774 - 1791, compiled by Joan E. Brookes-Smith, Kentucky Historical Society, Frankfort, KY. 1976.

After 11,399 Views: The Top 10

The Jones surname, of interest to many, has a history important to many climbing their family's tree. Started July 31, 2010, this blog has discussed the origins and roots of this common surname. Reflecting more than 50 years of research into this surname, it presents the very beginnings. After 11,399 views, the top 10 post are listed. The title and date that they were written is listed. Use the "Blog Archive" to read each post. Enjoy... written by The Jones Genealogist, genealogy for generations.

1) JONES "Coat(s) of Arms" [Part I] - June 28, 2011.
2) How Do You Spell JOHN - Sept. 16, 2010.
3) JONES "Coat(s) of Arms" [Part II] Terms and Abbreviations - July 4, 2011.
4) Impact, The Act of Union 1536 - Feb. 24, 2011.
5) The Beginnings - July 31, 2010.
6) U.S. Census of 1790 and The Jones Surname - Sept. 12, 2011.
7) First JONES to Gray's Inn 1568 - Nov. 11, 2011.
8) Taking the surname JONES - Feb. 23, 2011.
9) Phonetic not Genetic - June 6, 2011.
10) Smith, Brown, Williams, Johnson, and Jones - Aug. 30, 2011.

JONES and North Carolina 1693

An analysis of the 1790 census of the United States, shows that North Carolina had the highest number of JONES as "head of household" among the states recorded. [ See previous post: "U.S. Census of 1790 and The Jones Surname", of Monday, September 12, 2011.] A total of 558 "heads" with Virginia coming in second with 345. What's the deal?

North Carolina became formally organized after eight English entrepreneurs persuaded Charles II to grant them the area in 1663. This was after the France, Spain, and England had attempted some sort of earlier settlements. [ John White's settlement included. ] Albemarle County was the first formed in 1664 with an appointed governor, an appointed advisory council, and an elected general assembly. By 1670, this county had been divided in four precincts called: 1) Currituck, 2)Pasquotank, 3) Perquimans, and 4) Chowan. [Wow, try to pronounce those in rapid succession!]
This period of the "proprietors" ran into all kinds of problems, since they tried to run things after their own system in England. Rebellon, independent government, mismanagement, pirate activity, internal dissension, and Indian hostilities made it a very difficult settlement to manage. [The period of the proprietors lasted until 1729.]

It was April 25, 1693, that the will of Charles Jones is recorded. The "Legatees" were Sarah and Tabytha Alford. The "Executors were Thomas Symons, and John Meeds. The "Witnesses" were Elliner Meline, Jacob Denillard, and James Damerell. What a group of associated surnames this is! Anyone connected to this JONES family please post. I believe the will is recorded in the Perquimans precinct, but it is not identified in the reference.

References: Abstract of North Carolina Wills, by J. Bryan Grimes, E.M. Uzzell & Co., Raleigh, 1910. p. 189.

A very helpful text is North Carolina Genealogical Research, by George K. Schweitzer, Knoxville, TN, 1984.

JONES On Jamaica 1670

On St. John's eve, 23 June 1503, Columbus found himself beached on the shores of Jamaica. He spent a year here living off the land until he was rescued. A "starving party" was all that was left as described by Fiske in his book titled: The Discovery of America, Vol. I, p 454. What a way to start a history of this island.

It was not until 1670 that a survey of the Island of Jamaica was recorded in English records. There were six parishes organized after the English system, and 15,198 "persons" were documented in this survey. Those of the JONES surname were:

St. Thomas's Parish - David Jones 70 acres. [ 59 families in this parish.]

St. Andrew's Parish - William Jones 60 acres. [194 families in this parish.]

St. John's Parish - Thomas Jones 373 acres. [ 83 families in this parish.]
- Doctor Thomas Jones 20 acres.

There certainly may be older records with the surname JONES. Anyone please post if you know of earlier records.

Abstracted from: Calendar of State Papers, America and West Indies, 1669-1674, , Edited by, W. Noel Sainsbury, London, 1889. [Kraus Reprint Ltd., Vaduz, 1964.] pp. 99 - 104.

Reference on Columbus: The Discovery of America, With Some Account of Ancient America and The Spanish Conquest, by John Fiske, Vol.I, Houghton, Mifflin and Co., Boston, 1892. pp. 454-455.

First JONES Westminster 1382

Thorney Island was noted as a place of some importance from a very early date. The only ford for a considerable distance gave passage over the Thames to the road leading from Chester to London. Here a Roman fort was positioned. It was stones from this Roman fort that were used to begin the foundations of Westminster. It is recorded that a Saxon monastic church, dating from 750 AD occupied some of the present site. It was not until 1065 AD that the Norman church, which had been some ten years in the making, was consecrated.

It is in the Calendar of Close Rolls that the first JONES is identified. [Reign of Edward I (1272-1307) to Edward IV (1461-1470) p.212.] A Richard Jones along with a John Tererd is given as witness dated 10 March 5 Richard II. John Tererd is identified as "the elder of Esstances". It is dated July 29, 1382, Westminster.

Interestingly, it was during the year 1386 that the downfall of Richard II began. [See: British Kings & Queens, by Mike Ashley, pp.606-607.]

A helpful reference is: The New Guide to Westminster Abbey, by H.F. Westlake, 1916.

First JONES in Bermuda 1639

A Spaniard named Juan Bermudez was the first European to discover this island in 1505. Little did he know that his name would be associated with a most notorious area of the world called "The Bermuda Triangle"! [Puerto Rico - Miami - Bermuda]

Bermuda was included in the third charter of the Virginia Company, 1612. [Called Somers Island in English documents.] It was after this that 60 English settlers were sent to colonize this small island. Indian and African slaves were transported by 1616 when the island became jointly administered by the Crown and the Company.

On May 17, 1639, an "Indenture" is recorded between a George Smith "citizen & grocer of London" and a David JONES "of Bermuda, planter". It seems that this David JONES was to "...plant oranges & lemon trees in convenient places and to keep tenements in repair." Just imagine, orange and lemon trees, 1639 Bermuda. I wonder if David ever needed to make lemonade out of his lemons.

References:

The European Discovery of America, by Samuel Morison, The Southern Voyages A.D. 1492-1616. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1974. pp. 499-502.

Bermuda Settlers of the 17th Century, by Julia E. Mercer, Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD, 1982. [deed found on p.104]

First JONES to Barbados 1628

Following the lead of the Dutch West India Company [established 1621], London merchants named Marmaduke Rawdon, and Edward Foster, sent out a ship to begin the settlement of Barbados. They had obtained a grant of 10,000 acres from the Earl of Carlisle, and were interested in trying to get on the ground floor of what was to be called "The Triangular Trade" routes. The name of their ship was the Marygold, and it arrived Carlise Bay, 5 July, 1628. The company's agents were Capt. Charles Wolferstone, and Capt. John Swan. The "master" of the ship was John Jones.

Some twenty years later, Ralph Harrison married Catherine Jones on 2 November 1643 at Christ Church. Owen Jones and Patrick Jones were active by 23 September 1648 in St. Peter's Parish. Connections between Barbados and the colonies have strong ties.

Good reference is Genealogies of Barbados Families, by James C. Brandow, Genealogical Publishing Company, 1983.

A good reference to the trade routes can be found in Atlas of Maritime History, by Natkiel and Preston, Gallery Books, 1987.