The West Virginia Connection for Richard's family: Part 2: JONES Ancestors

Part 2: Ancestors

Early generations and descriptions of families are here. Later, there will be descendent charts.

Ancestry – Jones

Benjamin JONES: When William M. Jones married his second wife in 1860, Marriage Book B, page 9 shows that he gave his parents names as Benjamin¹ & Anna, and stated that he was born in Monongalia County. Deed Book 1; page 387 shows that on September 11, 1798, Benjamin Jones purchased 140 acres from John Evans for $100. The marriage Banns show that on December 30, 1815, Abigail Jones, daughter of Benjaminwho gave his written consent, married David Lewellen. John Jones was Surety. On August 18, 1819, Jane Jones, daughter of Benjamin, married George Smith, and on August 25, 1819, Anna McMullan Jones, widow of Benjamin¹, married Gawan Eddy.

The Census record for 1810 shows two Benjamin Jones families in Monongalia County: One had three sons, two of them under 10 and four daughters, one under 10, t he other with six sons, one under 10, and five daughters, three of them under 10. Both listed parents between the ages of 26 and 45. The 1820 Census shows one Benjamin Jones family, with three sons under 10, one 10-16, two over 16, three daughters, one under 10, one 10-16, and one over 16. The 1800 Census for Monongalia County is not known to exist.

It seems improbable that both Benjamin Jones’ had wives named Anna. There is strong probability that William M. Jones’ father died before 1819 and his mother remarried Gawan Eddy. He and his siblings were raised as Gawan Eddy’s stepchildren. In the absence of more data further conclusions seem unwarranted.

The Census record for 1782 of Monongalia County, VA, the following Jones’ appear as heads of families of the sizes given: John 5, Jacob 12, Benjamin 6, Ezekiel 9.

The 1790 Census of VA was burned by the British when they took Washington DC in 1814. In Fayette County, PA, immediately north of Monongalia County, two Benjamin Jones’ were Revolutionary War soldiers. One was living in OH in 1830 and is established as a DAR ancestor.

There was a Benjamin Jones in the 1790 Census of PA living in Washington Township, Fayette County, with one female and no other males in the household. So far, no connection between the Benjamin who was WM Jones’ father and any of these has been established.

In 1926, Charles C. Jones was 30 when his grandfather died, wrote: “His (WM Jones) father came to VA near Morgantown early in the last century (1800’s). The family lived in PA before that, coming from NJ. They originated in Wales. I suppose the trip from NJ to VA covered a period of 50 years.”

In Montgomery’s “Historical & Biographical annals of Berks County, PA” (1909)[i], page 354, there is an account of a Jones family which might conceivably fit the above sketchy description, but if so, there is at least a generation missing. Except for the Welsh origin, the description is similar to that given in “Miller & Maxwell” for the Fetty’s, and its attribution to the Jones instead may be a trick of memory.

ANNA MCMULLEN or McMillan: According to “West VA & Its People,” by Miller & Maxwell (1913)[ii] page 565, Volume 2, William M. Jones³’ parents were William and Jennie McMullen Jones. We know the first names are wrong. According to Nellie Maude Lazzell (d/o Josephus), granddaughter of WM Jones, his mother’s name was Anna McMullen. Thus there is a probability that her name was something like McMillan. Otherwise, we have no knowledge of her, except that her name was Anna and she married 2^nd Gawan Eddy.

William M. JONES born: January 4, 1808 in Monongalia County, VA, a farmer and blacksmith living at Laurel Point on the west side of the Monongalia River, about 5 miles above Morgantown, on the road to Fairmont. He died: April 12, 1896 aged 88 years, 3 months and 8 days. Apparently he had been quite prosperous, as his will indicates that he advanced various children substantial sums, totaling over $10,000 and still had money, his farm, and equipment. William, Edith, and Jane are all buried under a common headstone in the Laurel Point Methodist Churchyard.

He married 1^st Edith FETTY on February 21, 1860 in Morgantown, VA; born June 14, 1809, died April 24, 1859. She was the mother of all of his children. While the marriages Banns list her as Edy, daughter of William, she was really the daughter of John Fetty, as his will clearly indicates. The Marriage Banns show John as surety, and probably her father and brother (or uncle) signed in the wrong places. She was the mother of nine (or perhaps 10) children and died at the age of 49 years, 10 months, and 10 days, when her youngest son Benjamin was 6. Their children:

Sarah b) married Albert A. Gould, d) before 1895

Oliver Shirtliff b) April 3, 1836 married Lucy May Pierpoint d) October 30, 1910

William Henry b) 1839 d) before 1895

Predeceased his father, leaving one daughter and three sons, all

minors in 1895 when his father’s will was written. He served as

Quarter Master Sergeant in Company A, 1^st WV Cavalry during the Civil War

Serilda Ann b) March 12, 1838 married Sylvenus Pierpoint d) January 22, 1865

Sylvenus was 30 and the son of John J. & Sarah Smell Pierpoint

He was brother of Lucy May who married Oliver Shirtliff Jones

Virgil S b) 1843 Served as a private in Company A, 1^st WV Cavalry during the Civil War

Daniel Webster b) 1845 Died in a Veteran’s home in the 1920’s

Served as a private in Company 1, 14^th ^t WV Cavalry during the Civil War.

Virginia b) 1848 married Strother Vandervort d) April 8, 1943

Strother was 21 he married Virginia (his sister Laura Emma married Josephus, Virginia’s brother). Son of John & Jane Pierpoin¹ Vandervort, Jane was WM Jones’ 3^rd wife.

Josephus b) 17 Sept 1850 married Laura Emma VANDERVORT

d) 12 June 1922

Laura was 18 when they married (see note under Strother for parents). Josephus inherited his father’s farm and lived on it until his death. Laura outlived him.

Benjamin A b) 1853 married Laura E. Weaver

Laura was 22 when they married, the daughter of George & Margaret Weaver

George Given in one source, but not in WM Jones’ will, may have been another son who died young or moved away and lost touch

William M. Jones married 2^nd Sebre M. Johnson on July 21, 1860. She was 45, single and the daughter of Hadley and Rachel Ramsey Johnson. When she died or where she is buried is unknown.

William M. Jones married 3^rd Jane PIERPOINT VANDERVORT (marriage date is after 1862), widow of John Vandervort, granddaughter of Zackquill Pierpoint (page 4) and Dorcus Ridgeway Pierpoint. Died December 2, 1889, aged 69 years, 10 months, and 2 days. Two of Jane’s children; Strother and Laura, married two of William’s children; Jennie (Virginia) and Josephus.