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.
I've been researching the Jones in this area. Fascinating bunch! I've found some interesting records concerning Charles Jones, the Jones of Cashoke Creek, and William Jones d 1722 who lived previously in Nansemond. I believe they might be related. Charles Jones and the Cashoke Jones can be associated with William Duckenfield and the family of Robert West Sr. Jane Jones (dau of Wm d 1722) and husband Henry Lysles interacted frequently with the Cashoke Jones and William Duckenfield. There was another family of Jones who lived on the upper branches of Mattacomack Creek and descended from a John Jones Sr and wife Elizabeth. William Jones d 1722 bought a tract of land from William, son of John Jones Sr. They lived right on top of each other, but I haven't seen anything suggesting kinship. John Jones of Cashoke (whose wife was also named Elizabeth) is frequently confused with John Jones Sr of Mattacomack. William Jones d 1722 is often confused with William Jones of Cashoke and William Jones son of John Jones Sr. Mary Lewerton m William Jones of Cashoke. Frances -- was the wife of William Jones son of John Jones Sr. There are no records proving the wife of William Jones d 1722. Email me at owl_ lady_ nc @yahoo.com (remove spaces). Frances Cullom Morgan
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