Abraham Jones (1725 - 1792)

Born 1725 in Staten Island, Richmond, New York

Descendants

Died Aug 1792 at about age 67 in At Sea

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Biography

Capt. Abraham Jones served with Loyalists during the American Revolution.

Abraham was born in 1725.

Notwithstanding the fact that Abraham Jones was selected for colonel of the Staten Island militia at the commencement of the Revolution, he was, a few months later, appointed a captain in Billop's Battalion of native Loyalists.^[1]

1777-78: Abraham was a member of the New York state assembly, who was forced out of office, for being loyal to the crown.^[2]

Jones, Abraham — of Richmond County, N.Y. Member of New York state assembly from Richmond County, 1777-78; removed 1778. Expelled from the New York Assembly (his seat was declared vacant) on June 8, 1778, for "being with the enemy.". Died on shipboard in the North Atlantic Ocean, en route back from Canada. Buried at sea in North Atlantic Ocean.^[3]

That the rebuke of Washington became necessary is proved by the sending of three tories to the Provincial As- sembly to represent the County. Their names are Ben. J. vSeaman, his son-in-law Christopher Billop, and Abraham Jones.^[4]

"By referring to our list of Members of Assembly, it will be

seen that the name of this individual stands first, and that he

was debarred from taking his seat in that body on account of

his sympathy with the royal cause ; in other words, his tory

proclivities. He was the owner of a large tract of land at

the present New Springville, a part of which is now owned

and occupied by his great grandson Hiram J. Corsen, Esq.

He was very active in promoting the cause of the king, and

thus rendered himself obnoxious to the whigs on the other

side of the Sound. He held a commission as captain in the

regiment of loyal provincials, or tories. The following anec-

dote is related of him. One night a number of whigs, who

had resolved to attempt his capture, crossed the Sound and

made their way, undiscovered, to his house. Rapping loudly

at the door, they awakened the captain, who raised the win-

dow and inquired what they wanted. " Captain Jones,"

replied one of them, "hurry down, the rebels are coming,

and making for this house." Hastily dressing himself, he

came out of the door and inquired where the rebels were ?

"Here," said the first speaker, "here we are, and you must

go with us." He had fallen into the trap prepared for him,

and was carried into New Jersey. We are unable to state

how long he was detained. At the close of the war many of

the former tories on the Island took the oath of allegiance to

the new government, and thus saved their estates. Whether

Captain Jones did so, we do not know, but as his property

was not confiscated, it is to be presumed he did. After the

tory exodus to Canada, he went there also, for what purpose

is not known, but he did not remain long ; on his homeward

voyage he became ill, and died on board his ship, and was

buried at sea."^[5]

Capt. Abraham Jones, Shelburne, Shelburne County — 1786^[6]

Abraham Jones, Shelburne, Shelburne County — 1787^[7]

Staten Islander Richard Decker exchanged letters with his former neighbors Abraham and Jane Jones, who had settled near Shelburne, Nova Scotia. Abraham Jones had served as a captain in the Staten Island Loyalist militia during the war. "I imbrace this opportunity to inform you that we are all in good health, am sorry any Evil should subsist between you and any of your former Friends. Hope the true Friendship subsisting betweem your family & mine may never be dissolved." Decker closed by asking Jane "to give our best Respects to Captain Jones, to Mr. and Mrs. [Peter] Guyon, Captain Isaac Decker, his Family and all Friends."^[8]

26 Mar 1791: Deed transferring two town lots of land from Reyer Van Blarcum and his wife to Abraham Jones. Signed, sealed etc.^[9]

1792: Deaths - On his paffage from Shelburne, N.S. to New York, Mr. Abraham Jones, formerly of Staten-Ifland.^[10]

Captain Jones had evidently grown tired of Nova Scotia, and took passage for home; but was drowned at sea and his remains were lost. Mr. Corsen retains the sword which Captain Jones carried during the Revolution. Captain Abraham Jones made his will while in Shelbonrne, Nova Scotia. It was written on the 11th of August, 1791, and admitted to probate on August 14, 1702. It names " his widow and Relict Jane Jones the Executrix, and Abraham Jones and Edward Jones, his sons, and Abraham Crocheron his Grand Son Executors." They were with him in Shelbonrne.^[11]

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Sources

1. ↑ Morris's memorial history of Staten Island, New York, pg 95 [1]
2. ↑ Wikipedia [2]
3. ↑ PoliticalGraveyard.com [3]
4. ↑ Historical records of Staten Island [4]
5. ↑ Annals of Staten island, from its discovery to the present time (1877) [5]
6. ↑ Assessments for Shelburne and outlying communities, 1786 and 1787 [6]
7. ↑ Assessments for Shelburne and outlying communities, 1786 and 1787 [7]
8. ↑ That Ever Loyal Island: Staten Island and the American Revolution By Phillip Papas [8]
9. ↑ Gideon White Family Papers: Loyalists of Shelburne [9]
10. ↑ The New-York magazine; or, Literary repository (1792) [10]
11. ↑ Morris's memorial history of Staten Island, New York, pg 96 [11]

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