Jones | Fourth Generation Inclusive

December 6, 2015

Stout built mulatto girl ran away.

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Five Cents Reward.

RAN AWAY from the Subscriber, on the 29th of August last, an indented mulatto girl, named

TEMPE JONES,

In the 20th year of her age, 5 feet 4 or 5 inches high, stout built, and bright yellow complexion. The above reward, but no charges, will be paid on her apprehension and delivery to the Subscriber. All persons are hereby forbid harboring or employing said girl under penalty of the law. STEPHEN HARPER.

Sept. 11, 1832.

North Carolina Free Press, 2 October 1832.

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May 13, 2015

Surly when spoken to.

$10 REWARD.

RANAWAY from the subscriber, on the night of the 7th instant, a bound mulatto girl, aged between 15 and 17, named ELIZA LUNCE. Said girl is a dark mulatto, tolerably well grown for her age, and is surly when spoken to. She will no doubt take some other name than her real one. She was enticed away by her mother, Nancy Lunce, and Rowland Jones, a free man of color.

I will give ten dollars to any one who will deliver said girl to me, or five dollars for her confinement in any jail in the State so that I get her again. The subscriber resides six miles North of Raleigh, N.C. EDWARD CHAPPELL.

February 12, 1853.

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June 3, 2014

Run over and killed on the railroad.

A free negro by the name of Wm. Jones, was run over and killed near Goldsboro’, on the Central Railroad, a few days ago.

Asheville News, 4 October 1855.

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January 30, 2014

The murder of one Dick Jones.

To His Excellency John M. Morehead, Governor of the State of North Carolina

The Petition of the undersigned respectfully shew unto your Excellency that at the Fall Term 1842 of the Superior Court of Law for the County of Green an Indictment was tried against Joseph Suggs, Bright Cannady and Edith Brown for the murder of one Dick Jones, alias – Jeffrey Mares, a free Negro – that upon the trial of said Indictment the said Bright Cannady and Edith Brown were acquitted and the said Joseph Suggs was convicted of the murder of the said Dick Jones, that the undersigned are some of them acquainted with the said Joseph Suggs and beleive that he is a very ignorant illiterate man and has not the ordinary sense belonging to person of his age and station, that they beleive a violent assault had been commited on the said Joseph Suggs by Dick Jones and his brother Jim Jones who were both free Negroes, and that the shooting took place very soon – not more then a half hour after the assault was committed upon him by the said free Negros, but the Jury under the charge of the Court considered that rather prolong a time had elapsed before the wound was inflicted of which Jones died and therefore felt bound under the said charge to find him guilty of murder

They therefore most respectfully pray your Excellency to grant a pardon to the said Joseph Suggs

Signed this 14th day of October 1842

Jurors names who Tried the crimnal

John Beeman
John Sutton
John F. Jones
Thos Wooten
Parrott M. Hardy
Edward Carmon
Henry H. Gibbons
B.F. Hazelton
James E. Exum
John T. Pridgen
Chas. Edwards

[Names of 151 petitioners omitted.]

Governors Papers, Gov. John M. Morehead, G.P. 102, Correspondence, Petitions, etc., Sept., 1842; Correspondence, Petitions, etc., Oct. 1842; North Carolina State Archives.

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July 9, 2013

He saw his money walk into a white man’s pocket.

State v. Jarrott, a slave, 23 NC 76 (1840).

This case arose in Person County. Jarrott, an enslaved man, was indicted for the murder of Thomas Chatham, who was 18 or 19 years old. A 14 year-old white boy named John T. Brooks testified that he went with Chatham to a fish-trap in the neighborhood in a Saturday night and remained until “about two or three hours before day.” They were the only white people present. Jarrott and a free negro named Jack Hughes argued over a card game and called on Chatham to “keep the game for them.” After a second argument, Hughes refused to play anymore. Jarrott snatched up the handkerchief they had been playing on, knocking a twelve-and-a-half cent coin into the leaves. When he was unable to find it, he said “he saw his nine pence walk into a white man’s pocket, and that any white man who would steal a negro’s money, was not too good to unbutton a sheep’s collar.” Further, he charged Chatham with being raised on and living on stolen sheep, accused him of stealing his money, threatened to kill him if he did not give it up, and brandished a stick over his head. Chatham invited Jarrott to search his pockets, and turned them out when Jarrott refused. When Jarrott then accused Chatham of hiding the money in his shoes, he pulled off his shoes and socks. Another man got a light, searched among the leaves, and found the coin near where Chatham stood, which was “some six or seven steps from the spot” where Jarrott jerked up his handkerchief. Chatham sat down near the fire and Jarrott “continued to abuse him, using very indecent and insolent language.” Chatham asked Brooks for his knife, saying he wanted to cut his nails. He then told Jarrott that if he did not hush, he would stick it in him. Jarrott raised his stick and dared him, and Chatham chased him around the fire with a length of fence rail. Jarrott ran off, but returned and “said something.” Chatham picked up his fence rail and approached Jarrott with the knife in his other hand. Brooks heard two blows, then saw Chatham lying on the ground.

The testimony of Isaac, an enslaved man, essentially corroborated Brooks’, but he added that there was about a 15-minute gap between the argument about the money and Chatham’s renewal of the dispute and threat to stab Jarrott.

A free negro named Nathan Jones corroborated Isaac, but denied that Jarrott ever brandished his stick over Chatham. He also swore that Chatham said he would kill Jarrott that night or go to his master Monday and have him whipped, then would waylay him and shoot him with a rifle. Two other witnesses testified about Chatham’s wounds (two to the back of the head, about two inches in length); his size (“small and slender for a boy of his age,” said one, “not tall, but stoutly built,” said the other); and Jarrott’s stature (“about six feet high, and of the ordinary size of negroes of that height; and was about twenty-three years of age.”)

Jack Hughes testified that Chatham swung at Jarrott and missed before Jarrott knocked him down and struck him several blows.

The jury found Jarrott guilty of murder, and the judge pronounced a death sentence.

The appeal focused on the judge’s jury instructions. Though not agreeing with his every ruling, the Supreme Court upheld the verdict, establishing that “the same matters which would be deemed in law a sufficient provocation to free a white man … from the guilt of murder, will not have the same effect when the party slain is a white man, and the offender a slave ….”

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June 22, 2013

A memorial of sundry citizens on behalf of Britton Jones.

To the Honorable the General Assembly of North Carolina now in Session –

The undersigned memorialist respectfully represent to your honourable body that Britton Jones, a free man of colour was born and raised; and continued to reside until he was about thirty years old in Bertie County and that up to the time he left the same he sustained a good character. Your memorialists further shew that in Janry of 1829 his wife, who is a slave was carried together with his children to the State of Alabama, by her owner; and then continued until 1832 when she was brought back to the State of North Carolina – They further shew that the said Britton, in consequence, as your memorialists believe, of the removal of his wife and children; also went to the State of Alabama, and then continued until he was subjected to the provisions of an Act of Assembly prohibiting the emigration of free persons of colour. Under these circumstances your memorialists consider that it is a case of peculiar hardship and respectfully pray your honourable body to pass an act exempting said Britton Jones from the provisions of the act aforesaid – and your memorialists will ever pray &c. /s/ Dav: Outlaw, George A. Askew, Elijah Rayner, D.W. Stone, J.S. Taylor, David Ryan, M.C. Ryan, Geo. B. Outlaw, Jos. B.G. Roulhac, J.P. Roulhac, Turner Carter, Stephen Bazmore, Thos. Spiller, S.J. Webb, Mo. Ramsey, W. Blanchard, E.A. Rhodes, John Raymond, John D. Thurston, G. W[illegible], James G. MLoon, Th. Ruffin, A.W. Mebane, Lewis Bond, Jas. P. Jones, Wm. W. Cherry, Wm. B. Forsyth.

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The Committee on Propositions and Greviances to which was referred the Petition of Britton Jones praying that he might be exempted from the penalty incurred by him under the act of 1826 prohibiting emigration into this state of free persons of colour having considered the subject

Report

That it appears evidence before them that the said Britton Jones a free man of colour was born and raised in County of Bertie that he resided in the said county untill he arrived to the age of thirty supporting a character for industry and honesty. That in the year 1829 he was married to a negro woman slave and by her had several children – That in the year 1829 the owner of the wife moved to the state of Alabama carrying her and children with him – that said Jones from feelings of attachment to his said wife & children followed them to Alabama. That they remained in said state up to the year 1832 when the owner of his wife returning back to Bertie with his wife and children. Jones returned also. .That by reason of his having resided out of the state for a longer period than one year he has lost his residence in the County of Bertie and has incurred the penalties of the act of 1826 prohibiting the emigration of free persons of colour into this state. Your Committee therefore from the peculiar hardships of this case believing it to be one which demands legislative interference respectfully report the following Bill and recommend its passage. /s/ Jos. M. Townsend, Chair.

General Assembly Session Records, 1832-1833, Box 5, North Carolina State Archives.

In the 1850 census of Windsor, Bertie County: Britton Jones, 45, drayman, with Mary Boon, 30, and Emily Boon, 6.

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June 11, 2013

I ordain that my wife and seven children shall be free.

In the name of God, amen, I Abraham Jones of the County of Anson in the State of North Carolina, farmer, being very Sick and weak in body, but of Perfect mind and memory, thanks be given to God; calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and Testament; that is to say, principally and first of all, I give and recommend my Soul into the hand of Almighty god that gave it, and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial, at the discretion of my executors; nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection, I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God, and as touching such Worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless, me in this life, I give, demise, and dispose of in the following manner.

And first of all as my wife Lydia was the purchase of my money: lest any person should after my death take advantage of my family to indeavor to bring them into bondage, I do hereby will Ordain and Establish that my wife Lyddia, and Seven Children which she hath had by me which she hath had by me which I own as the offspring of my body, viz Isaac, Jacob, John, Thomas, Abraham, Lewis, and Sucy Shall be free from any slavery servitude bondage or any incomberance whatsoever as touching anything that might arise from the adore sd purchase of my wife Lyddia, and I do hereby release relieve and diliver them and each of them, from any claim or demand whatsoever of any person or persons claiming under any right or title from me ___ otherwise giving them their freedom and that forever. And as to the division and distribution of Lands and other property I demise in the following manner.

I will and bequeath to my son, Isaac the sum of thirty Shillings Sterling, money of South Carolina, I will and bequeath unto my son Jacob fifty Acres of land where he now lives to be so laid off as not to cross the Big branch it to include his house where he now lives.

I will and bequeath to my daughter Suckey one horse of the value of twenty pounds N.C. Currency a side sadle, and one Cow and Calf to e delivered to her in two years after my death.

I will and bequth unto my beloved wife Lyddia, all my moveable property, together with the use and full possession of the remaining Part of my land, to wit 200 acres (to have the sole command of all my Real and personal Estate) after my Lawful debts are paid) during her life or Widdowhood

I will and bequth unto my Children, viz John, Thomas, Abraham, Lewis, and Suckey, at the death or marriage of my wife, an Equal division of all my moveable Estate, and the land to be divided equally amongst my sons, John, Thomas, Abraham and Lewis, and lastly I appoint, my wife and my trusty friend Stephen Thomas as my sold Executrix and executor, establishing this my last will and testament disannulling all other wills and bequests whatsoever Abraham X Jones

Signed pronounced Sealed and established in the presence of us

Frame Woods, John X Martin, Benjamin X Thomas

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State of North Carolina

Anson County July Court 1805

Then the within will was duly proved in open court by the oath of Benj. Hinson one of the witnesses thereto and Ordered to be recorded Ted Robinson Clk

Will Book 2, page 77-78. Office of Clerk of Superior Court, Anson County Courthouse, Wadesboro.

Abraham Jones appears in the 1790 census of Anson County as the head of a household of nine free people of color.

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May 12, 2013

He maintained ties to politics.

In 1860 Henry C. Cherry, a 24 year-old free mulatto carpenter residing in Edgecombe County, owned no property. By 1870 he owned real estate valued at $1,000 and had already served as a delegate to the North Carolina Constitution Convention in 1868 and one term in the state assembly. In addition to maintaining his carpentry firm, during the 1880s Cherry ran a combination grocery and liquor establishment in Tarboro. Although he was elected to the state legislature for only a single term, Cherry also served on the county commission of Edgecombe. Further, Cherry maintained ties to politics though his three sons-in-law. His daughter Louise married Henry P. Cheatham, and his daughter Cora married George H. White, two of the most influential black officeholders in North Carolina during the 1880s and 1890s. These rivals were elected to the U.S House of Representatives North Carolina’s Second Congressional District for a total of four terms. Further, another of Cherry’s daughter, Georgie, was the wife of Eustace E. Green, a member of the state assembly from Wilmington.

From Robert C. Kenzer, Enterprising Southerners: Black Economic Success of North Carolina 1865-1915 (1997).

In the 1860 census of Edgecombe County: Henry Bonner, 30, carpenter, wife Charity, 18, daughter Harriet, 1, Willie Bonner, 23, carpenter, and Henry Cherry, 26, carpenter.

[Sidenote: Henry C. Cherry married Mary Jones in Edgecombe County on 14 March 1861, about a year after the death of Henry Lloyd, the white man who fathered her first two children. Georgie Jones, above, was Henry Cherry’s step-daughter. – LYH]

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May 10, 2013

To Mary Ann Jones and her two children.

Be it remembered that I Henry S. Lloyd of Tarboro North Carolina being of sound mind and memory, but of infirm health do make and publish this my last will and Testament, hereby revoking all other Wills by me at any time heretofore made

I direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid and I nominate and appoint Whitmel P. Lloyd and William Norfleet of the County of Edgecombe in the State of North Carolina, Executors and Trustees under this my last will and Testament

I authorize and empower my Said executors to carry on my farms for the term of two years after my decease, and to adopt all measures necessary for that purpose, if the same be necessary to pay my debts, and to apply the income thereon as the same may be received to the payment of my Said debts. I further authorize and empower my said Executors to sell and convey at public or private sale, all my real estate in the Town of Tarboro not Specially devised or otherwise disposed of in this my last Will and to apply the proceeds of the Said Sale to the payment of my debts and legacies

I give and bequeath to my Aunt Helen B. Slade, all my right title and interest in the farm on which she lives

I also give and bequeath to my said Aunt Helen B. Slade all my negroes on my Roanoke plantation, also all my negroes on my Edgecombe farms which I got from Martin County whether I inherited or purchased them

After the payment of my debts I give and bequeath to the two children of Mary Ann Jones, free colored woman, twenty five hundred dollars each, and I direct that the said money shall be received and held by William Norfleet in trust to apply so much of the income of the said Legacies, as he may deem necessary for the support of the Said children during their minorities; and to pay the principal, and the accumulation of interest to them, as they shall respectively, arrive at the age of twenty one years. Should either of the children die during her minority without issue, then to pay the same to the survivor, and if both of the said children should die under the age of twenty one years, and without issue, then to pay the said principal and the accumulation of interest to their mother, but should either of the said children die leaving issue, the said issue shall take his, her or their mothers share

I give and devise to Mary Ann Jones, free colored woman of the said Town of Tarboro, and to her heirs and assigns forever the lot of ground and the house thereon erected in the Town of Tarboro in which she now lives. I also give and bequeath to her the sum of one hundred Dollars a year, for and during the term of Ten years

I give and devise to the daughter of Elizabeth Bland of the County of Martin, in the State of North Carolina (the said daughter being her first child and the one the paternity of which she imputed to me) and to her heirs and assigns forever, certain tracts of Land in the said county, containing about four hundred and sixty acres more or less, being the premises which I purchased of Amileach C. Williams, as by his deed to me will more fully appear, but should the said child die during her minority without issue, then I give and bequeath the said tracts of land to her mother, the said Elizabeth Bland, and to her heirs and assigns forever.

I give and bequeath to Elizabeth Bell the sum of five hundred Dollars absolutely, and I give to her in trust the sum of one hundred Dollars to be expended by her, from time to time in the purchase of clothing for James Adams as he may need them

I give and bequeath to my friend William Norfleet my negro woman Nancy, and her two youngest children I also give and bequeath to him my buggy and two black mares

I give and bequeath to my friend Joel Lewis, my gold watch, and my bay Horse which I bought of Tom Cook

All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, I give, devise and bequeath, one third thereof to my sister Mary Louise Caldwell, and to her heirs and assigns forever, one third thereof to my brother Whitmel P. Lloyd and to his heirs and assigns forever, and the remaining one third to David Barlow in trust to receive the rents, issues, profits and income thereof, and to pay the same to my brother, Joseph W. Lloyd for and during the term of his natural life, and after the death of my said brother, I give, devise and bequeath the said one third, to the Children of my said brother, who may be then alive, and to the issue of such as may be then dead leaving issue, and should all of the children of my brother Joseph be dead, at the time of his decease, without leaving issue, then I give, devise and bequeath the said one third of my estate to my said brother Whitmel and sister Mary Louisa, their heirs and assigns, and should they or either of them be then dead, the child or children of my said deceased brother or sister shall take his or her or their parents share absolutely and in fee

In testimony whereof, I the said Henry S. Lloyd the testator above named, have to this my last Will and Testament set my hand and seal, this 13^th day of February Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty /s/ Henry S. Lloyd

Witnessed by E. Barnes and Jno. Norfleet, proved at February Term 1860. Edgecombe County Will Book G, p. 181.

In the 1860 census of Tarboro, Edgecombe County: Mary Jones, 23, her daughters George A., 3, and Mary, 1, and mother Charity Jones, 42, plus Jackey Thomson, 49.

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May 8, 2013

Self-evident facts.

SKETCH OF THE JONES FAMILY

John R. Jones is the son of Martha Jones, and his father was a white man. Martha Jones’ mother was one Polly Jones, a pure white woman, and her father was an Indian. She was one-half white, one-half Indian. John R. Jones, therefore, was three-fourths white, one-fourth Indian. He married Macy A. Brewington, the daughter of Hardy Brewington. They have a large family of boys and girls in their home, white predominating, seemingly in himself and his entire family. Martha Jones is now living and says the above statements are true. Also, judging from her features and general characteristics, it is a self-evident fact that she is of Indian and white extraction. The said Martha Jones also has another son and several daughters, who are undoubtedly of pure white and Indian blood.

From George E. Butler, “The Croatan Indians of Sampson County, North Carolina. Their Origin and Racial Status. A Plea for Separate Schools,” (1916).

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