Finding Your Folks: Jesse Jones of Fayette County

Those with Joneses in their family pedigree have a daunting task in separating, categorizing, and compartmentalizing the many families of this surname as they migrated to America and spread out over this new land. I, myself, have one Jones that I have only half-heartedly attempted to research - Henry Jones of South Carolina and Troup County who married Nancy Elizabeth Fincher. He was my fourth great-grandfather.

There were several Jones families in and around the Fayette area and it is hoped that by publishing information on as many Jones family groups as possible, some type of connection may be established that was heretofore overlooked or unknown.

We continue this week with part two of Anne Westbrook's story of her Jones families in Fayette, particularly Jesse Jones. Ann writes:

"Prior to the move to Fayette County, Jesse Jones's life in Clarke County is well documented. The 1820 census shows him in a household which oddly lists two heads of household, Jesse Jones and Jabez Jones. These two men and two adult women are the only individuals enumerated there. 'Records of Clarke County, Georgia 1801-1892' compiled by Robert Scott Davis © 1993 shows a Jesse Jones in the militia in 1817, 1819, and 1822. This book and others including 'Clarke County, Georgia Marriage Records 1803-1909' transcribed by Faye Stone Poss and Ted O. Brooke, also show the record of the marriage of Jesse Jones and Rebecca Miller Oct. 1, 1820.

"Jesse Jones shows up on the tax rolls in Fayette Co. in 1831 through 1834 but continues on the tax rolls in Clarke during the same period. He also is on the 1840 census in Fayette County. His household in that year consisted of one male aged 50-60 (a male born in 1788 as was Jesse would be 52); one male 20-30 (likely Jesse Jr.); two males aged 15-20, one male aged 10-15 (Harrison born in 1828) and one male aged 5-10 (Robert born in 1830). One female was 15-20 and one was 10-15. Family lore says that Jesse Jones had sons Jesse Jr., Burton, Paschal, Harrison and Robert and one daughter Martha. Jesse, Harrison, Robert and Martha are documented. No record has been found of Paschal. The only record of a Burton Jones is on the 1860 census as will be set out later. The number in the household in 1840, however, seems to confirm all named children and one more daughter (or other young female member of the household). It appears that Jesse's wife, Rebecca, had died before the 1840 census.

"Jesse Jones purchased additional land in Fayette County in 1840 from David Simmons. This was in land lot 197 of the 4th district. It recorded on the same page as the recordation of the 1830 conveyance from his father.

"Two interesting events occurred in 1847. A Jesse Jones married Susan Rozier on June 27 as recorded in Fayette County Marriage Records. This was Jesse Jr. as will be seen from the 1850 census.

"The other event is recorded in Fayette County Guardians' Bonds Book (as compiled in 'Georgia Intestate Records' by Jeanette Austin © 1986). Jesse Jones, John McLane and Wm. B. Jones gave bond in the amount of $400 for Jesse Jones to be appointed guardian 'to Harrison Jones and Robert Jones minors of Jesse Jones.' This begs the question of why Jones was made guardian of his almost grown sons (ages 19 and 17).

"The only explanation this writer can come up with is that there had been an inheritance, which they as minors could not legally take, and their father had to be made their guardian in order to receive it on their behalf. With no other related records in Fayette County, e.g., a distribution of funds, it would appear that the estate being distributed (if this theory is correct) was being administered in another county or state. Again, if this theory is correct, any such estate would have to be on their deceased mother's side of the family. Otherwise, Jesse Sr. himself would likely have been the heir or legatee.

"The John McLean who was one of the bondsmen was the husband of Jesse's daughter, Martha. He was a widower with several children when they married.

"On the 1850 Fayette Co. census, Jesse Jones (Jr.), age 29 was in dwelling #60, household #68, along with Susan E. Jones age 19 born in Georgia and Mary E. Jones age 5/12 born in Georgia. The census says that Jesse was born in South Carolina. This is interesting as his parents were married in Clarke Co., Ga. in 1820, the year before his birth. However, it may be consistent with the origins of Jesse Jr.'s mother Rebecca Miller.

"A Miller researcher contacted on the Miller GenForum site could not place Rebecca with any northeast Georgia family and opined that she may have been from a family from across the river in South Carolina. However, in 1880 Harrison Jones told the census taker that both of his parents were born in Georgia (or at least that is what the census taker recorded; this however would have been 80 years or so after Rebecca's birth). Harrison Jones was literate. A descendant has a copy of his copy of his book 'Arithmetical Dictionary Book of Reference, Comprising a System of Practical Tables.' Inscribed on the fly page is 'Harrison Jones his book Dec. 1857.' The book was published in New York in 1857."

Harrison Jones' marriage, later years and more about this Jones family will appear in next week's column. Those who would like to contact Anne about these families may do so by email at awwestbrook@bellsouth.net.

Family histories about your ancestors who lived on Atlanta's south side are always welcome. Send them to jkilgore@thecitizen.com or JodieK444@aol.com. Mail to The Citizen, P.O. Drawer 1719, Fayetteville, GA 30214. All letters and e-mails I receive are subject to being used in the column.