UFN : Aden Jones

In the year 1796, the House of Commons for the NC General Assembly, records that from Carteret Co., an Aden Jones was present.  Not sure that I have seen this as a first name before, but here it is.  There is an "Adin" named in the Bible, and this may be a spelling used in this case?  Anyway, has anyone seen this as a first name? [from Historical Sketches of North Carolina, Vol. II, p. 76.]

This name is listed by Caroline Cunningham, Vol. III, p.4.

UFN : Abridgeton/ Albridgton Jones

Most likely another surname brought forward to be a first name is Abridgeton.  There does not seem to be a geographic location in England or Wales that takes this name?  It occurs 2 September 1746, in Granville County, NC.  It records that a John Wade of Granville County (moving) to Abridgeton Jones Isle of Wight County, VA.  A total of 640 acres are ordered to be registered September 1746.  [Greenville County, NC Deed Book A, 1746 - 1751, p. 2]  In the Wake County, NC Marriages on the 2 March 1785 Albridgton Jones marries Elizabeth Jarvis Cada Barts.  There is also a will of Albridgton Jones 1787 in Warren County, NC whose wife is given as Mary. 

The name also appears among the Virginia Troops in their Continental Line as Lt. Abrideton Jones. [Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. II, No. 3 (January 1895) p. 243.] His military record is given as BLWt. 359-200 and in 1807 he is listed as a resident of Southampton Co., VA. [Index of Revolutionary War Pension Applications, p. 610 ]  In the Southampton Co., VA Marriages: on 22 December 1784 (Maj.) Albridgton Jones marries Fanny Calvery (daughter of Christopher Calvert).  On the 27 February 1795 (Col.) Albridgton Jones marries Polly Calvert. [sisters ?]

Name given in Caroline Cunningham, Vol. IV, p. unnumbered but in alphabetical order.  Spelled as Albridgton is found Vol. I, p. 3.

UFN : Abishai Jones

The Bible wins again as the source of this unusual first name.  The name presents itself initially in the  book of  I Samuel, and occurs a fair number of times associated with the life of David.  Used as a first name with the surname JONES it appears in Northumberland County, Virginia Births, 1661 - 1810.  It is recorded that on the 20th February 1772 that "Abishai Jones the son of Winnefrit Hudson A Bastard son was Born".  An interesting account with the mother's maiden name given as Hudson, and the child born is recorded with the surname JONES.  The father of the child is not listed.  According to Meade, in the year 1776, Mr. John Leland and the Rev. Benjamin Sebastion were ministers in the county.  Perhaps, it was one of these fellows who selected the name.

Caroline Cunningham, Vol. III, p. 2.

Old Churches, Ministers and Families of Virginia, by Bishop William Meade, Vol. II, p.132.  This two volume reference was first published in 1857.

UFN : Abington Jones

Often a family surname is taken as a first name.  This is usually from the maternal side of the family tree.  In this case, most likely, the name comes from the geographic location from which this family originated.   The name "Abington Jones" appears in the Southampton County, Virginia marriages.  On the 19th of February 1770, Abington was married to Mary Simmon "widow".

The parish Abington is given in "A Topographical Dictionary of England" by Samuel Lewis, p. 5.  It was located in the county of Northampton.  There was also a "Abington in the Clay", "Abington (GREAT)", and "Abington (LITTLE).  These were all parishes in the county of Cambridge. [Lewis p. 6.]  This would certainly give the genealogist a possible lead to the origins of this name.  Unusual   first names as maternal family surnames...interesting.

Caroline Cunningham, Vol. I, p. 1.