Thomas West Jones (1754 - bef. 1826)

Born 6 Nov 1754 in Albemarle, Colony of Virginia

Ancestors

Descendants

Died before 10 Jul 1826 before age 71 in Campbell, Virginia, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Lawrence Hodapp [send private message]

Biography

Thomas Jones was a Virginia colonist.

He was consistently referred to as Major Thomas Jones during the last decades of his life, both in court filings and in a newspaper story about his trial for killing his son–in–law, but his lineage and the source of his military rank is still uncertain. Perhaps he was an Ensign during the Revolutionary War, as the 1926 county history, Campbell Chronicles, suggests, although it appears to be a different family there described. As the book itself notes "[i]t is not possible to distinguish the various members of the Jones family in Campbell [County, Virginia] because they bore similar Christian names."^[1]

Although Campbell Chronicles says the task is impossible, it does provide sources that may help sort out these Joneses. It notes, for example, that one Thomas Jones was present at the organization of the county in 1782 and appointed surveyor of an area in which he then owned land. This appears consistent with the close relationship between his family and that of Richard Stith Sr. (abt.1727-abt.1802), the County Surveyor. In later years, three of this Thomas Jones's daughters married three of Richard Stith's sons.^[2] This Thomas Jones also appears to be the same Thomas Jones who was present in Campbell County to join his wife in a sale of land to her nephew, supporting the identification of his wife as Elizabeth "Betsey" (Johns) Jones (1757-1837), discussed more extensively in the Research Notes, along with some other issues.

Major Thomas Jones's will^[3] and summaries of Campbell County marriage records appear to support the following list of the children of Thomas and Betsey Jones:

• Rhoda (Jones) Stith,11 January 1777–February 1851. Married Thomas Jefferson Stith (1768-1821) on 12 March 1793.^[4]
• Elizabeth (Jones) Stith, January 1779–24 August 1844. Married Richard Stith Jr. (1778-1843), on 20 December 1798^[4]
• Nancy (Jones) Stith, 1781–2 Jan 1849. Married William Banks Stith (1777-1854), on 28 December 1796.^[4]
• Thomas Jones, born about 1782. He married Elizabeth Wood (abt.1788-) on 25 December 1804^[5] and had died before his father wrote his will on 18 February 1826. Major Jones's will directs its bequests to his sons Wood, Madison and Washington Jones. Some sources state that his widow remarried on 24 October 1817 to Lewis Franklin, but the record of that marriage states that the bride's father, Edward Jones, posted the bond for the marriage.^[6] Elizabeth Wood was the sister of John F. Wood (1790-abt.1825), who married Thomas's sister Martha, and both appear to have been the children of Edmund Wood (abt.1768-1822) and Jane (Franklin) Wood (abt.1768-1846). If she remarried, her name in the records would be Elizabeth Jones, but her father would still have the surname "Woods."
• William "Major Billy" Jones, 4 July 1783–3 July 1858. Married Nancy (Hunter) Jones (abt.1788-abt.1863) on 19 December 1804.^[5]
• John "Johnny" M. Jones, 18 February 1826–18 February 1826. Married Edna Martin on 27 January 1816 and Jane Talbot on 27 Feb 1823.^[7] John appears to have died just before his father's death. The will is not written to as clearly indicate his prior death as it is for his brother Thomas. However, Johnny's children are identified for bequests: Amanda, Charles Thomas and John Martin Jones.
• Buckner Jones, born about 1785. He appears to have never married.
• Joel Jones, 1786–26 October 1842. He married Dolly (Johns) Cobbs, on 22 May 1822,^[7]
• James Jones, 1789–29 May 1869. He became a physician and moved to Buckingham County, Virginia. His wife was named Nancy.^[8]
• Martha Jane (Jones) Jennings (1801-abt.1869). She married, first, John F. Wood (1790-abt.1825) on 26 February 1814^[9] and second Patterson Jennings (1800-1854), on 17 April 1826.^[10]

Although Major Jones had amassed a considerable estate and begun to distribute it to his children by the last decade of his life, the marriage of his youngest daughter Martha had to have been a primary impediment to old–age tranquility. Her husband John F. Woods was an abusive husband. Both the Major and his daughter Martha filed actions that resulted in Court Orders that Wood post bonds, reaching as large as $4000, to stop his abuse. ^[11][12]

A resolution appeared to have been reached on 18 March 1825, when settlements were filed in the Campbell County courts, transferring 1200–1500 acres of land and other of John's property to his father–in–law, in trust for the benefit of his wife and children. Some this property had been encumbered by John to secure the peace bonds he had been required to post with the Court. The agreement stated that John and Martha had agreed "to live separate and apart."^[13] Unfortunately, John was not satisfied with this resolution.

A newspaper story months later summarized the situation and the evidence that was presented in Court regarding the events that followed:

[John F.] Wood was a turbulent man, and, in his neighborhood, generally deemed a dangerous one, particularly when he was inebriated—that his conduct toward his wife was brutal and barbarous—that this treatment was not produced by his wife's misconduct (for he often admitted that no man had a better wife) but for the sole purpose of provoking his father–in–law and his son William—that he had often sworn he would kill them both, and averred that he would never be satisfied until he had done so—that, on the day of his death, he went to Major Jones' house, and, with every intention of attacking the Major (who is an old, infirm man, tottering as he walks, and his head frosted by at least 70 or 80 winters)—that, as he was in the act of advancing towards him, in a hostile manner, Maj. Jones shot him, when he instantly staggered, fell, and expired.^[14]

After witnesses presented this evidence in Court, Major Jones's defense counsel waived closing arguments and the jury immediately acquitted him. The public was reportedly "very much pleased with the verdict."^[14]

Major Jones did not survive long after the September 1825 verdict. He wrote his will on 18 February 1826 and he died prior to 10 July 1826, when the will was filed in Court.^[3]

Research Notes

Litigation and court filings both before and after Major Jones's death may help clarify his ancestry and differentiate the various Joneses who lived in Bedford, Campbell and surrounding Virginia counties in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Transactions with the Johns Family

On 10 Jan 1785, Thomas Jones, Jesse Jones, Jesse Jones and Betty Jones witnessed the conveyance of 400 acres of land in Campbell Co., Virginia, from William Johns, to Edmund Johns. The gift, stated to be "for the love and good will I have for the said Edmund," included four slaves. livestock, and all of William Johns' household furniture. The recipient of this gift, made two years before the death of William Johns, Sr., appears to be his grandson Edmund, son of William Johns, Jr.^[15]. Recorded immediately following was a 1 Apr 1785 sale of 50 acres of land from Thomas and Betty Jones to Edmund Johns.^[15]. Together these conveyances and their simultaneous recordation, support linking Elizabeth "Betty" Johns as spouse of Thomas Jones, Sr.

Major Thomas Jones's Will

Major Jones's will,^[3] filed 10 July 1826, and later court filings show:

• His widow Elizabeth received during her lifetime their house, and one-third of the land on which they lived and personal property, including slaves.
• His children and grandchildren reached agreement on the division of the personal property wihin a year. The shares of his three daughters who married the sons of Richard Stith and moved to Kentucky were managed by their agent, Thomas Stith. He was not the husband of Rhoda, who was widowed before her father died and appointed the agent in her own name.^[16]
• The sons of Thomas Jones, Jr., agreed to a division of their joint bequests.^[17]
• On 11 July 1829, Charles Martin, the guardian appointed for the three minor children of Johnny Jones and apparently their grandfather, settled his account to that date.^[18]. An additional guardian accounting was made on 11 January 1836.^[19]

The Will of Another Thomas Jones

On 11 January 1819, Major Thomas Jones was appointed an executor under the will of another Thomas Jones living in Campbell County, Virginia. The will of this Thomas Jones,, written 17 January 1818, designated "his trusty friends, Thomas Jones, Major, and James S. Jones," as executors. It made bequests to the following family members, sorted as appears plausible:^[20]

• Son Jesse Jones and Jesse's daughter Sally Jones
• Granddaughter Polly Gibbs
• Daughter Nancy (Jones) Taylor
• Son William Jones; William's sons Spotswood, Paschal' and Josias; and William's daughters Amely, Eliza H. Jones, and Sarah J.
• Son–in–law John Cock; grandchildren Polly Cock and William Cock
• Son–in–law Alexander Hunter and grandson Thomas Hunter
• Son–in–law Robert Saunders; grandsons Peter Saunders and Thomas Saunders
• Daughter–in–law Nancy Jones
• Daughter–in–law Judith Rosser
• Daughter Dorathea Broom head Glass
• Granddaughter Elizabeth Askew
• Granddaughter Nancy Kent
• Grandson Powhatan Jones
• Grandson William Jones, "son of Majr" (raising a question)
• Great–granddaughter Evelinah Jones
• The residue sold and divided "equally among the children of my son John Jones"

The last residual clause provoked litigation that persisted after Major Thomas Jones' death 7–8 years later. He was sued as executor for not including in the residual distribution the grandchildren that son John Jones had fathered out of wedlock. It appears that a lawsuit was filed in the Chancery Court for Lynchburg, Virginia, to overturn the results in the Campbell County Courts.^[21]

Sources

• Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, (http://www.dar.org/ : accessed January 3rd, 2016), "Record of Thomas Jones", Ancestor # A062721.

1. ↑ R.H. Early, Campbell Chronicles and Family Sketches: Embracing the History of Campbell County, Virginia, 1782-1926, 443–46 (Lynchburg: J. P. Bell Co. 1927); Campbell, Virginia, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9DX-HQJ9 : July 25, 2021), image 654 of 984; Early, R. H. (Ruth Hairston), b. ca. 1850, Morton, Oren Frederic, 1857-1926, Waddell, Joseph A. (Joseph Addison), 1825-1914, Wingfield, Marshall.
2. ↑ Chronicles at page 8, image 435 of 984
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} Will of Thomas Jones, dated 18 Feb 1826, proved and admitted 10 Jul 1826; Will Book 5, 319–23; "Campbell, Virginia, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99PC-946J : July 22, 2021), image 750 of 819; Virginia. County Court (Campbell County).
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} Joel Ricks, Campbell County, Virginia Marriage Bonds 1781–1854, 117(Genealogical Society of Utah: Nov 1937); Campbell, Virginia, United States Records, images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVY-HC5X : July 24, 2021), image 122 of 192; Ricks, Joel.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} Joel Ricks, Campbell County, Virginia Marriage Bonds 1781–1854, 69 (Genealogical Society of Utah: Nov 1937); Campbell, Virginia, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVY-HCBB : July 25, 2021), image 74 of 192; Ricks, Joel.
6. ↑ Joel Ricks, Campbell County, Virginia Marriage Bonds 1781–1854, 45 (Genealogical Society of Utah: Nov 1937);"Campbell, Virginia, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVY-HC1B : July 26, 2021), image 50 of 192; Ricks, Joel.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} Joel Ricks, Campbell County, Virginia Marriage Bonds 1781–1854, 68; (Genealogical Society of Utah: Nov 1937); Campbell, Virginia, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVY-HZ3P : July 25, 2021), image 73 of 192; Ricks, Joel.
8. ↑ A similar genealogy was added to the stithvalley.com site by Tom Almquist on January 1999. This site also contains good transcripts of several Jones's wills and helpful information to sort out the different Thomas Joneses. http://www.stithvalley.com/ancestry/jones/jones.htm (accessed 26 Jul 2021)
9. ↑ Joel Ricks, Campbell County, Virginia Marriage Bonds 1781–1854, 137; (Genealogical Society of Utah: Nov 1937);Campbell, Virginia, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVY-HZQV : July 25, 2021), image 142 of 192; Ricks, Joel.
10. ↑ Joel Ricks, Campbell County, Virginia Marriage Bonds 1781–1854, 65; Campbell, Virginia, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVY-HCRT : July 25, 2021), image 70 of 192; Ricks, Joel.
11. ↑ Order Book 15, 162 (May 1823); "Campbell, Virginia, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-V3XS-HSPQ : July 22, 2021), image 671 of 696.
12. ↑ Order Book 15, 196 (July 1823); "Campbell, Virginia, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-23XS-H7M9 : July 22, 2021), image 689 of 696.
13. ↑ Deed Book 15, 70; "Campbell, Virginia, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSL6-39RK-5 : July 22, 2021), image 352 of 597; Virginia. County Court (Campbell County).
14. ↑ ^{14.0 14.1} From the Lynchburg Virginian, The Raleigh Register (Raleigh, North Carolina 20 Sep 1825 2; https://www.newspapers.com/clip/783515/major-thomas-jones-acquitted-of-murder-o [The article did not state the date of the shooting, but 21 April 1825 is given elsewhere.]
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1} "Campbell, Virginia, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKH-W7SW-5 : March 20, 2021), image 141-42 of 818; Virginia. County Court (Campbell County).
16. ↑ Cambell Co. Will Book 5, 429 (9 July 1827); "Campbell, Virginia, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99PC-94ZJ : July 26, 2021), image 805 of 819; Virginia. County Court (Campbell County).
17. ↑ Campbell Will Book 6, 250 (9 Mar 1829); "Campbell, Virginia, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89PH-T9CK : July 26, 2021), image 155 of 797; Virginia. County Court (Campbell County).
18. ↑ Campbell Will Book 7, 287 (11 Jul 1829); "Campbell, Virginia, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89PH-TPR : July 26, 2021), image 173 of 797; Virginia. County Court (Campbell County).
19. ↑ Campbell Will Book 8 , 402 (11 Jan 1836); "Campbell, Virginia, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89PH-TC2 : July 26, 2021), image 503 of 797; Virginia. County Court (Campbell County).
20. ↑ Campbell Will Book 4, 151 (Filed 11 Jan 1819); "Campbell, Virginia, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99PC-94RX : July 27, 2021), image 381 of 819; Virginia. County Court (Campbell County).
21. ↑ William Hannah and Wife vs. Executors of Thomas Jones, et al., Lynchburg (Va.) Chancery Causes' Local Government Records Collection, Loudoun County Equity Case 1827-006 (Original Case No. M2527), the Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia; https://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=680-1827-006#img ; viewed 27 Jul 2021.