(First Generation)

Much of the knowledge of the early Jones families of Wilkinson County comes from the various works of author James T. Maddox who has written a history of the county and published various compilations of marriages and other genealogical facts of the area. Given, however, that the Jones surname is the fourth most common name on the
planet and research often depended on the work of others, it is easy to understand that there could be errors in
his admirable work.

The Jones families were not among the first settlers of Wilkinson County’s earliest formative days after the Georgia Land Lotteries of 1805 and 1807 which spun off Baldwin and Laurens Counties from Wilkinson County. However, there were several early pioneering Jones families who were there when Wilkinson County’s first
census was taken in 1820.

Maddox listed five Jones families in the early days: Adam Jones; John Lawrence Jones and his wife Lucy Taliaferro; Joseph Jones and wife Sarah Anderson; Wiley Jones, and William Jones.  However, when one looks at the census records, we were able identify most of these but ran into trouble distinguishing between two William’s as to which one was Wiley Jones.  We also found a  Josiah Jones.

As mentioned previously, I was unable to locate an 1820 census document for ADAM JONES, who was apparently a minister of the gospel.  He may have migrated between various churches in the Wilkinson, Baldwin and Laurens County areas as he does not show up in the 1830 census of Wilkinson but is counted among its 1840 census citizens. Maddox says that Preacher Jones was involved in the establishment of Ramah Primitive Baptist Missionary Church about 1809, opposed formation of a new church from Cool Springs Baptist Church on Sept. 11, 1824 (Conference Report),  and involved in establishing Liberty Baptist Church, which split off from Mount Nebo Church in 1837. He died about 1845 and his will signed on August 12, 1845 listed his wife, SUSANNAH CLARK, and five children:  son, Daniel; and daughters Sallie, married James Ward; Frances, married William Ryle, Jr.; Patsy, married a Mr. Pittman; and Patience, married James Gibson.

The actual census document we reviewed listed John L. Jones as Head of Household.  Others in the home included 2 males under 10, 1 male 10-16, 2 males 45 or up, 1 female under 10, 1 female 10-16, 3 females 16-26, 1 female 26-45, 1 female 45 or up.  His  EST DOB 1775 or before.

The origin and parents of JOHN LAWRENCE JONES are not known and deserve further research and documentation. Most reports say he was born December 08, 1776 in Surry County, NC, and died March 01, 1830 in Wilkinson County, Georgia.  He married LUCY TALIAFERRO Abt. 1797, daughter of JOHN TALIAFERRO and MARY HARDIN.  She was born May 29, 1780 in Surry County, NC, and died February 28, 1842 in Wilkinson County.

According to HISTORIC GEORGIA FAMILIES by L. W. Rigsby, "John Lawrence Jones was evidently born in Virginia, raised in some of the more settled provinces and came from a family of considerable culture.  He was highly appreciative of the finer things of life and was to some extent out of joint with the rougher elements with which he came in contact with in his Georgia environment. That he was a man of intelligence and integrity is proven by the fact he was named executor of the will of Dr. John Taliaferro.  That he was a man of courage is proven by the fact he took up arms in defense of the people of his community from the depredations of the Indians, serving as a soldier in the Indian War.”

Lucy was apparently a favorite of her dad and may have been called "Ludy."  She was the Great Granddaughter of Revolutionary War Patriot John Taliaferro.  He received bounty land in Surry County, NC.  Her father was often referred to as Dr. John Taliaferro as he was a Baptist Minister and a medical doctor.  In 1769 he obtained land in Pittsylvania County, Va.  As the Revolution began, he organized a company of minute men of which he was captain and followed Green's Army as a surgeon.  In 1779 he sold his Virginia land and moved to Surry County, NC with friend, Bernard Franklin, and settled on Little Fisher's River.  He left Surry County in 1791 and moved to Wilkinson County, GA.  His daughter, Lucy, received his Wilkinson county property, which is listed in the early censuses as being next door to Joseph Jones.

Children of JOHN JONES and LUCY TALIAFERRO were:

JUDITH JONES, b. September 19, 1799, Wilkinson County, GA; m. LEWIS CLAY, December 14, 1840, Wilkinson County, GA; b. 1792, Washington, GA.

ELIZABETH JONES, b. September 23, 1801, Wilkinson County, GA; m. (1) ? NELSON; m. (2) ROBERT CAMERON; b. Abt. 1800, Wilkinson County, GA.

NANCY M. JONES, b. September 30, 1803, Wilkinson County, GA; d. September 19, 1851, Wilkinson Co., GA; m. PEYTON CLAY, December 19, 1830, Wilkinson County, GA; b. December 25, 1800, Washington  or Wilkinson Co., GA; d. November 11, 1888, Wilkinson Co., GA.  Mr Clay is from the Georgia Branch of the Virginia Clays, a descendant of
Henry Clay.

CRAVEN JONES, b. September 16, 1806, Wilkinson County, GA.  Said to have died young and never married.

SARAH JONES, b. September 15, 1808, Wilkinson County, GA; m. EDMUND B. CLAY, July 07, 1831, Wilkinson County, GA; b. 1812, Washington, GA.

FRANCES JONES, b. July 05, 1810, Wilkinson County, GA. Said to have died young and never have married.

BEHEATHLAND JONES, b. November 01, 1812, Wilkinson County, Georgia; d. July 12, 1876, Wilkinson County,
Georgia; m. JAMES H. FOUNTAIN, November 16, 1836; b. January 08, 1799, Wilkinson County, GA; d. August 12,
1863, Civil War.

JOHN RICHARD JONES, b. December 20, 1814, Wilkinson County, GA; d. March 1852, Marianna, FL; m. OBEDIENCE HATCHER, March 12, 1839; b. December 20, 1814, Wilkinson County, GA.  They settled in the Marianna, FL area where he was a homeopathic physician and ordained Baptist minister.

MARY JONES, b. October 30, 1817, Wilkinson County, GA. Said to have died young and never married.

TALIAFERRO JONES, b. December 24, 1818, Wilkinson County, GA; d. May 1891, Albany, GA; m. CAROLINE JANE SAXON, April 23, 1845; b. Abt. 1819, Wilkinson County, GA; d. Albany, GA.

FRANCES MARION JONES, b. August 11, 1822, Wilkinson County, GA; d. 1898, Wilkinson County, Georgia; m.
REBECCA COLLIER ETHERIDGE, Abt. 1840, Wilkinson County, Georgia; b. 1822, Wilkinson County, GA.

SEABORN JONES, b. January 22, 1824, Wilkinson County, GA; m. (1) NANCY POWELL; b. Abt. 1820, Wilkinson County, GA; m. (2) SUSAN F. HALL.

John L. Jones' will, prepared January, 1830, was probated on July 5, 1830. The majority of the estate is left to Lucy for her lifetime or widowhood. The children are to be schooled at Lucy's discretion.  Son Taliaferro Jones ends up with primary responsibility for the children and estate after his mom and dad's death. The will identifies a brother, Thomas.  The Clays the Jones girls married were all brothers and sons of David and Eve Hardin Clay, most likely decendants of the Virginia Clays.

Joseph Jones is HOH and listed also are 1 male under 10, 1 male 10-16, 3 males 16-26, 1 male 45 or up, 1 female under 10, 1 female 10-16, 1 female 45 or up.  EST DOB 1775 or before.  It is believed that he died about 1830 in Wilkinson County, GA.  Living nearby was Frederick Dominer (descendants would inter-marry in the next century).

All of the Maddox books list Joseph Jones and his wife, Sarah Anderson.  He apparently died in 1825.  While this is entirely possible, we must point out that there is another Joseph Jones and Sarah Anderson residing about this time in the Liberty County, Georgia  area.  I believe the Joseph Jones of Wilkinson to be Joseph B. Jones who registered for the 1805 land lottery from Hancock County, GA.  Children of Joseph Jones and unknown spouse were:

THOMAS JONES.

JOHN GABRIEL JONES, born March 05, 1801, South Carolina; died July 30, 1881, Wilkinson County, Georgia; married. first NANCY UNDERWOOD, about 1830, Wilkinson County, Georgia; born June 25, 1810, Georgia; died before September 17, 1846, Wilkinson County, Georgia; he then married MARIAH CARR, September 17, 1846, Wilkinson County, Georgia; born about 1813, in Georgia; died Wilkinson County, GA.

HIRAM JONES, born 1807, Wilkinson County, Georgia; died about 1844, Wilkinson County, Georgia; married SARAH REEVES, March 31, 1841, Wilkinson County, GA by  W. Holland, Justice of the Peace.; she was born in 1818.

JOHN LAWRENCE JONES, born about 1811, Wilkinson County, Georgia; died in Texas; married JEMIMA DEASON, August 20, 1840, Wilkinson County, Georgia.

FRANK JONES, born about 1812, Wilkinson County, Georgia; died in Texas; married FANNIE BURKE; born Bet. 1808 -
1828.

Josiah Jones is HOH with one male 16-18, 1 male 16-26, 1 male 45 or up, 1 female 45 or up.  EST DOB 1775 or before.  Maddox says Josiah was the son of Allen Jones and married first Caroline Myrick.  They had the following children:  Mary Ann, James L, Georgia, John F., Sarah, Moses, and probably one more daughter.

The first William Jones is listed with one male 16-26, 1 male 45 or over, 1 female 45 or over.  EST DOB 1775 or before.  This is probably the William Jones who died about 1841.

A second William Jones is also HOH with 3 males under 10, 1 male 10-16, 1 male 45 or over, 1 female under 10
 

Second Generation

We first learn of GABRIEL JONES in Wilkinson County in the 1830 Georgia census but there are two listed, page 350 and 354.    The one on page 354 which listed 1 male under 5, 2 males 20-30, 3 females under 5, 1 females 10-15, 1 female 30-40, 1 female 60-70.  Obviously there were many Gabriels and so this is unclear which this one is but it appears perhaps his mother or the wife of the old Joseph and all the kids is living with him.  We don’t have any idea from this if there were daughters or not but we think this is John Gabriel Jones and his siblings living here.  EST DOB 1800-1810.

According to census documents, JOHN GABRIEL JONES was born about 1801 in South Carolina.  He probably moved to Wilkinson County with a guardian shortly after the Land Lotteries established Wilkinson and Laurens Counties about 1810-1815.  He married first NANCY UNDERWOOD, daughter of THOMAS UNDERWOOD and ELIZABETH WICKER.  Nancy was born June 25, 1810 in Georgia and died before September 17, 1846 in Wilkinson County.  She and Gabriel were married about 1830 and had at least eight children.

MATTHEW JONES, b. 1832, Wilkinson County, Georgia; d. 1863, Vicksburg, MS. in the Civil War.

JOSEPH JONES, b. Abt. 1833, Wilkinson County, Georgia; d. 1863, Civil War; m.MARY JANE DEASON.

HIRAM ANDERSON JONES, b. Abt. 1834, Wilkinson County, Georgia; d. June 1862, Calhoun, GA (Camp Randolph)?.  He was probably named for Gabriel's brother, Hiram.  He enlisted in Company I, 57th Regiment of Georgia Volunteer Infantry.  Died during the Civil War - never married or had children.

WILLIAM FRANKLIN JONES, b. Abt. 1836, Wilkinson County, Georgia; d. Bef. 1900.

MARY ELIZABETH JONES, b. June 04, 1838, Wilkinson County, Georgia; d. June 29, 1896, Wilkinson County, Georgia; m. WILLIAM B. CARR, August 03, 1856, Wilkinson County, Georgia by W. M. Cooper, M.G.

JAMES GABRIEL JONES, b. Abt. 1842, Wilkinson County, Georgia; d. June 1864, Petersburg, VA; m. SARA ANN GRANADE.  He was a private in Company F, Second Regiment, Georgia State Line, Wilkinson County "Georgia Rangers." He was killed in the Battle of the Crater in June 1864 at Petersburg, Va.

NANCY MATILDA JONES, b. June 13, 1843, Wilkinson County, Georgia; d. November 26, 1899, Macon, Bibb County, GA.

GEORGE WASHINGTON JONES, b. Abt. 1846, Wilkinson County, Georgia; d.1864, Spotsylvania, VA in the Civil War.

After Nancy’s death, Gabriel married (2) MARIAH CARR September 17, 1846 in Wilkinson County, Georgia.  She was
born Abt. 1813 in Georgia, and died in Wilkinson County, GA.  There children were:

FRANCES REBECCA4 JONES, b. July 05, 1847, Wilkinson County, Georgia; d. July 05, 1887; m. MORGAN BLOODWORTH.

NEWTON P. JONES, b. Abt. 1850, Wilkinson County, Georgia.

JOSEPH TALIAFERRO JONES, b. January 05, 1852, Wilkinson County, Georgia; d. September 16, 1930, Wilkinson County, Georgia.  He never married and is buried at Mt. Carmel Cemetery.

MADISON MONROE JONES, b. June 27, 1855, Wilkinson County, Georgia; d. February 27, 1940, Wilkinson County, Georgia.

Gabriel Jones was a farmer.  He became active in his community serving as guardian for unfortunate orphans and assisting in the settlement of his brothers Hiram and Thomas’ estates.  By the time of the 1850 census, he has amassed an estate valued at $1,500. Gabriel was appointed Commissioner of Patrols in 1856 for the Bloodworth District.  In this capacity, he would have led patrols to search for slaves who were beginning to organize and become more militant in seeking their freedom at this time. Wilkinson Inferior Court of Sept. 3, 1861 ordered Gabriel along with Vincent Jeans and John Temples to serve on committee in Bloodworth District to report the destitute families of the district whose husbands are in the war and likely assisted in the distribution of food to those families.  He continued to prosper in the 1860 census his property is valued at $3,000 and personal property of $419.

The various Maddox books state that John Gabriel was POSSIBLY the son of Joseph Jones and Mary Maybanks of Liberty County.  While this is possible, it is not likely that Gabriel and Wilkinson County clan are related to the Jones’ of coastal Georgia featured in Robert Manson Myers’ Putlitzer Prize winning book, “Children of Pride.”

During the first quarter, 2000, genealogist Kathy Cassagandra did extensive research on the Liberty and Wilkinson County lines tracing both back to differing SC ancestors--the Liberty County crew most likely from the Charleston area and the Wilkinson County Jones’ appear tied to Laurens County, SC families.  Page 409 of the book McCrady's "History of South Carolina Under Proprietary Government" mentions that Joseph Jones (Liberty County) is said to have been the grand-son of
Thomas Jones, member of Commons House of Assembly in 1704.

John Gabriel and his second wife, Mariah Carr, are buried in Mount Carmel Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery of Wilkinson County, GA, next to Stanmore Butler and Mary Manderson Carr.

Tieing Them Together

So, who belonged to whom?  We know John Lawrence Jones had a brother, Thomas, according to the will of John Lawrence Jones. So, we have John Lawrence and Thomas Jones. The Will of Thomas Jones names his brother, Gabriel. I don’t think that John Gabriel Jones had a brother, Thomas, he was the brother of John Lawrence. So
we have brothers John L., Thomas, Joseph, and Gabriel. Rigsby’s HISTORIC GEORGIA FAMILIES said that Gabriel andNancy Jones were cousins.  John Lawrence Jones had a daughter Nancy that married a Peyton Clay. If Josephlisted above in the 1820 census is a brother to John Lawrence and father of John Gabriel Jones then Nancy and John Gabriel Jones would be first cousins, confirming the Rigsby theory.
 
 

Third Generation

WILLIAM FRANKLIN JONES, the fourth child of Gabriel Jones and Nancy Underwood, was born Abt. 1836 in Wilkinson County, Georgia, and died Bef. 1900.  He married ELIZABETH MILDRED SLADE November 07, 1858 in Wilkinson County, Georgia.  She was born Abt. 1840 in Georgia, and died Bef. 1900.

Since schools did not come to Wilkinson County until about 1854, William probably helped out on the family arm. William and Elizabeth are listed in the 1860 census near his father, John Gabriel Jones, and then wife Mariah  Carr (NancyUnderwood died in 1850).   William and Nancy were listed with child, James F.

William enlisted as a private in Company I of the 57th Regiment of Georgia Volunteer Infantry (Laurens & Wilkinson County) on May 3, 1862 at Savannah, GA. by Col. Henry Cleveland for a 3 year stint.  He was paid a bounty of $50.00.  William was in the unit under Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton in the CSA garrison at Vicksburg, MS.  The unit was surrendered after the siege where he was injured and captured by Union forces on July 4, 1863.  He took the Oath of Allegiance not to bear arms against the Union on July 15, 1863 from Capt. John C. Fry of the 20th Regiment of Ohio and was paroled.   He was turned over to Confederate authorities with a group of "sick and wounded soldiers" at Mobile, AL. William went home to recover for a couple of months Oct. 12 - Nov. 1, 1863 according to a Muster Roll Document signed by Capt. Massengale (surgeon's certificate).

He returned to active duty and was counted present on the Dec. 31, 1863 Muster Role by Capt. Cleveland.  He fought with his unit until he was captured Dec. 26, 1864 by Union forces led by Major General Thomas of the Army of the Cumberland at Pulaski, TN.   He was apparently  injured and forwarded to Capt. S.E. Jones at Louisville,
KY.  He was diagnosed as "convalescent" on January 10, 1865 and transferred to a Convalescent Marshal on January 17.   He was sent to Camp Chase, OH through Louisville on January 18, 1865 arriving in Columbus, OH on January 20. After the war ended in April, he was administered his second Oath of Allegiance to the U.S. at Camp Chase on June 13, 1865 and paroled.   This record signed by J. McDavid listed his place of residence as Wilkinson County, GA and listed him as 29 years of age, 5-feet 9 1/2" tall with blue eyes and dark complexion.   A Statement of Service Reference Slip summarizing this was sent to the Commissioner of Pensions of the State of Georgia by H. P. McCain, Adjutant General, on Sept. 9, 1915.

Wilkinson County’s 1870 census again found William and Elizabeth but the family was listed as black rather than white and there is a major age discrepency in their ages. William and Elizabeth are Jones listed as born in Georgia, farmer with $1,000 land and $463 of other values. Lizzie was listed as a housekeeper.  Others in
the household are: James, 10; Matilda, 8; Rilla, 6; and Mary, 2.

Two land transactions are noted in the 1870’s involving  William and his son Madison Monroe Jones.  On January 8, 1878, William received a deed from M.M Jones and on January 18, 1878, William gave a deed for some land to M.M. Jones, a deed..The two deeds were recorded 12/20/1888 in Book J., Page 85.

William is age 55 when the 1880 census was taken. He is a farmer. Elizabeth Jones, age 45, born in Georgia.  Place of birth for parents is not listed.  At home were:  Jim Jones, 20, named as son of William Jones; Matilda Jones, 18, named as daughter of William Jones; Rilla (probably Arilla)  Jones, 14, named as daughter of William Jones; Mary Jones, 9, listed as daughter of William Jones; Henry Jones 7, listed as child, and John Jones, 5, listed as child

In the 1880 census for William Jones, the children John and Henry are designated as "child" rather than son as are the other male children of the house.  This may be that they are not sons of William and Elizabeth. Both parents of William are listed as coming from Georgia.

On December 20, 1887,  M.M. Jones granted mortgage to W.C. Parker, one of the family members involved in the Parker Dairy of Laurens County.  The deed was recorded in Book I, Page 561.  This may have been disposition of William and Elizabeth’s farm as they are not listed in the 1900 census.

The origins of Miss Elizabeth Slade are officially unknown.  Elizabeth Jones was listed in the Laurens County records of "Soldier's Families Receiving County Support During the War Between theStates" in 1864.

Children of WILLIAM JONES and ELIZABETH SLADE are:

JAMES T. JONES, b. September 04, 1856, Wilkinson County, GA; d. March 05, 1931; m. FRANCES BILLINGS; b. April 12, 1863; d. February 17, 1948. James and Frances are buried at Mt. Carmel Cemetery

JOSEPH THOMAS JONES, b. Abt. 1859, Wilkinson County, GA; d. April 01, 1941, Wilkinson County, GA; m. CARRIE MCCOOK; b. October 23, 1863; d. March 30, 1953, WilkinsonCounty, GA.  She was the 8th of 9 children born to Daniel McCook and Arimissa Ballard.  He was called Tommy Jones and lived in Cadwell for a while before moving back to McIntyre in Wilkinson County.  He and Carrie are buried at Nunn-Wheeler Cemetery.

MATILDA JONES, b. Abt. 1862.

RILLA JONES, b. Abt. 1866, Georgia.

MARY JONES, b. 1871.

HENRY JONES, b. 1873.

JOHN THOMAS JONES, b. 1876, Wilkinson County, GA; d. January 31, 1928, Cadwell, Laurens County, GA; m. CARRIE LOUISE DOMINY, December 16, 1900, Laurens County, Georgia; b. February 1879, Laurens County, GA; d. March 29, 1961, Chester, Laurens County, GA.
 

Article by: W. Chris Jones Roswell, GA (Joseph Jones of Wilkinson is believed to his GG-Grandfather)

Research and Analysis by: Kathy Casagranda, Genealogist Palmer, Alaska

Initial Research by: Martyn A. Martin Huntsville, AL (Joseph Jones of Wilkinson is believed to be his GGG-Grandfather)