Stephen S. Jones Sr. 1750 - 1844

1. 
2. Stephen(1)
3. Parents Unknown

Stephen S. Jones
(1750-08-19)August 19, 1750 St. Mary's County, Maryland

Preface

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D.A.R. plaque located at Harlan County Courthouse in Harlan, Kentucky

 Stephen S. Jones Sr. was a patriot, a pioneer, a hunter, a farmer, and a family man. For nearly fifty years he slowly migrated from Maryland to Kentucky and from Colonial British subject to American citizen. Stephen took his time in migrating, however, once Stephen reached Kentucky, he planted his feet and took root. Stephen became the patriarch of the Jones Family of Harlan County, Kentucky. Over 270 years later, his descendants are scattered across these United States, with many still in Kentucky. Through thick and thin, the Jones', and collateral families, are still going strong.

 The early days of Stephen S. Jones of St. Mary's County, Maryland prior to about 1779 is unknown. Researchers familiar with Stephen S. Jones have a wealth of information after 1779. Unfortunately, however, both his birth county of St. Mary's County, Maryland and his death county of Harlan County, Kentucky are burn counties, leaving us Jones researchers with a lot of questions and blank fields. In 1768 and again in 1831, the St. Mary's County Courthouse suffered a fire destroying most, if not all, early civil records. To further hinder active research, Harlan County, Kentucky, Stephen's death county, became a burn county when in October of 1863, Confederate troops put torch to the Harlan County Courthouse in retaliation of Union troops burning down the courthouse at Lee County, Virginia. Not all records were lost in the Harlan County Courthouse fire but many important documents were turned to ashes.

 It is to take note that the Mountain Trail Chapter of the Kentucky D.A.R. is responsible for much of the information found today about Stephen Jones of St. Mary's County, Maryland as well as much of the incorrect information found. The author of this article contacted the Mountain Trail Chapter searching for documents associated with their late 1930's study of Stephen Jones. According to a representative of the Mountain Trail Chapter, most, if not all, documents of the entire chapter, including those assembled regarding Stephen Jones were lost in the devastating floods of Harlan County. Due diligence, of course, is required in all facets of genealogy work. The author of this article has taken great pains to build as accurate a picture of Stephen Jones as possible. Questions, corrections or comments regarding this research may be directed to lcjones@jonesipedia.com.

Birth

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 According to his own words, as evidenced in Stephen Jones' Rev. War Pension Petition of 1834, Stephen Jones was born on Sunday, August 19, 1750, in St. Mary's County, Maryland. Some Jones researchers report his birth as August 15th. The discrepancy in dates may stem from deciphering the handwriting of the court recorder during Stephen's pension request testimony. With a quick look, it's possible the date might be misinterpreted as the 15th rather the 19th. However, a comparison in the recorder's handwriting of the 9 in the day to the 5 in the year 1750, clearly indicates the day is the 19th and not the 15th.

Stephen S. Jones Sr. birth date as written by court recorder, John G. Crump, Clerk of Court, Harlan County.

 On page four of Stephen's pension interview, while not actually printed, the question of where and when his birth took place appears to have been put forward verbally to which he replies:

Answer to 1st Question -- I was born in St. Mary's County Maryland on the 19th, August 1750.

-- Stephen Jones ~ April 16, 1834 Rev War Pension Interview

 Then a second question is posed, perhaps asking if there is a document proving his birth date, to which he replies:

Answer to 2nd Question -- I have no record of my age - my fathers register stated my birth as above.

-- Stephen Jones ~ April 16, 1834 Rev War Pension Interview

Parents

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 The parents of Stephen S. Jones are unknown. No document has been produced naming, much less proving, the parents of Stephen S. Jones of St. Mary's County, Maryland. However, many Jones researchers attribute Ambrose Jones Sr. and Catherine Collins of Granville County, North Carolina as his parents. This perpetuation of Ambrose Jones Sr. and Catherine Collins being Stephen S. Jones of St. Mary's County, Maryland parents may have been caused by the Mountain Trail Chapter of the D.A.R. of Harlan County, Kentucky during 1940. Unfortunately, the research notes and papers about Stephen by the MTC have been lost to flood waters of the Cumberland River. A number of Jones researchers including Linda Reno have concluded parents of Stephen Jones of St. Mary's County, Maryland remain unknown.

 It is true Ambrose Jones Sr. and Catherine Collins were parents of a son named Stephen Jones in Granville County. However, the Stephen of Ambrose and Catherine Jones moved from Granville County, North Carolina to Halifax County, Virginia and married 1st)Catherine ___ and 2nd)Nancy Thompson. Ambrose Jones Sr. died in 1792 leaving a will which named his children. As well, when Ambrose and Catherine's son Gabriel Jones died, there was an estate settlement document which clearly names the children of his brother Stephen Jones. The children of Stephen Jones, son of Ambrose Jones Sr. are not the children of our Stephen Jones of St. Marys and Harlan counties.

Confusing The Stephens

The Stephen Jones Children - Three Different Families

Note: Is Stephen Jones of Halifax also the Stephen Jones of Person County, North Carolina?
The will of Stephen Jones of Person County includes a number of connections that are in Gabriel Jones' of Granville County intestate papers.

Stephen Jones md. 1st) Catherine __ 2nd) Nancy Thompson Halifax County, VA.	Stephen Jones Person County, NC.	Stephen Jones 1750-1844 md. Susannah Wilburn Harlan County, KY.	Stephen Jones 1760-1834 md. Mary Gibbs Bedford County, VA
Catherine Jones		Gabriel Jones	Mary "Polly" Jones
Elizabeth Jones		John Jones
Rebecca Jones		Elijah Jones
Lucy Jones		Mary Ann Jones
Susan Jones		Zacharia Martin Jones
Sally Jones		Stephen Jones Jr.
Mary Jones
James T. Jones
Leah Jones
William Jones
Glover Jones

Stephens Full Name

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 Most Jones researchers know Stephen as Stephen Jones Sr., however, many cast his name as Stephen S. Jones or Stephen L. Jones. There are three documents that depict Stephens name with middle initials.

 The first document is a Power of Attorney letter of January 28, 1828, by Stephen, which is dictated to George Brittain, Clerk Of Harlan County. The Power of Attorney letter clearly shows "S" as the middle initial.

Stephen's full name as it appears in the Power of Attorney letter of 1828.

 The second document is the 1840 U.S. Census for Harlan County in which his middle initial appears as the letter "L". Also to note is the fact that Stephen's age is misrepresented. His age has been recorded as 99, which is obviously incorrect. The 1840 census commenced on June 1, 1840. Ewell V. Unthank was the enumerator who, by the way, married Sarah Jones, grand-daughter of Stephen. Upon reviewing the entire census for Harlan County, Ewell did not mark any dates. Even if Ewell didn't get to Stephen until late August of 1840, Stephen still would have been of 91 years of age.

Stephen's name as enumerated on page 116 in the 1840 US Census of Harlan County.

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 The third document is the 1840 Pensioners Census in which the 1840 U.S. Census asked for the names and ages of "Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services. Essentially, the name was copied from the 1840 U.S. Census.

Page 163 of The 1840 Revolutionary War Census of Pensioners

 We believe the Power of Attorney document depicts the actual name of Stephen and the 1840 census form is incorrect.

Marriage

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 Stephen Jones of St. Mary's County, Maryland married Susanna Wilburn Unk - Unk, daughter of Edward Wilburn Sr. 1725 - 1806 of Surry County, North Carolina. There has been no document produced illustrating any other wife to Stephen. While we do not have a marriage date or marriage documents, the proof of this marriage is found in several other documents including,

• The Last Will & Testament of Edward Wilburn, Susanna's father. dated 1806
• The Last Will & Testament of John Wilburn, Susanna's brother dated 1819
• The Petition of the Estate of Edward Wilburn dated 1822 and 1823.
• The Stephen Jones Power of Attorney letter with Richard Wilburn, Susanna's brother. dated January 28, 1828

 Exactly when and where Stephen and Susannah were married is unknown. However, as Gabriel Jones 1771 - 1831 is thought to be Stephen's first child born in 1771, it would seem reasonable their marriage was prior to 1771. It is also noted that "a" Stephen Jones is on the Property Tax Rolls of Surry County, North Carolina for the year of 1772. While this is not proof, it would seem to indicate Gabriel, the first son, was possibly born in Surry County, North Carolina.

Alleged Marriages

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 Stephen Jones of St. Mary's County, Maryland is alleged to have married both Nancy Thompson and Mary Catherine Adams. There is no proof or documentation of these marriages. Mary Catherine and Nancy Thompson both married Stephen Jones, Ambrose Jones Sr. and Catherine Collins' son.

 Stephen Jones of Granville County, North Carolina married Nancy Thompson in Halifax County, Virginia in 1802 Gabriel Jones, son of Ambrose Jones Sr. and Catherine Collins and the brother of Stephen Jones, all of Granville County, North Carolina, stated in his estate settlement of 1831/1835 the wife of his brother Stephen to be Catharine. This would indicate Stephen Jones of Granville County possibly married Mary Catharine Adams after Nancy Thompson.

Family Tree

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Pedigree

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Military Service

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 Through the years of 1779 to 1781, Stephen served a total of seven months duty in the North Carolina Militia. Prior to and during the Revolutionary War, North Carolina was divided into militia districts. Stephen's first two tours would have most likely been with the Hillsborough District Brigade which included Granville County, North Carolina. Stephen "removed" to Surry County, North Carolina in 1781 with his remaining tour most likely under the purview of Salisbury District Brigade which included Surry County.

 Stephen Jones Sr. is recognized as a participant in the American Revolution by the Daughters of the American Revolution with a D.A.R. Ancestor ID of A062640.

Granville County, N.C. Volunteer

 According to Stephen's pension petition testimony, he states in 1779 he volunteered in Granville County, North Carolina, where he then resided. At the age of 29, Stephen Jones volunteered for a three month tour of duty in the North Carolina Militia. He did not, however, join the North Carolina Line, which was part of the Continental Army as some researchers suggest. Stephen came under the command of Capt. Richard Cook. (Richard Cook is also from St. Mary's County, Maryland) For the next 3 months they marched around the Catawba River gathering information on the Catawba Indians and their Tory allies. Later Stephen Jones and his fellow troops marched to the Yadkin River in Granville County, North Carolina where they came across a British Company. The baggage train of the Continentals soon came under fire from the British army. After a brief skirmish, the British were soon defeated and taken prisoner. After this engagement, Stephen Jones was discharged from the militia.

Granville County, North Carolina fell under the purview of the Hillsborough District Brigade. Within the Hillsborough District were the counties of Caswell, Chatham, Granville, Orange, Randolph, and Wake.

1779 Map of possible route for first sortie from Granville County, North Carolina to Silver Creek at Morgantown.

That he entered the service of the United States as a militia soldier in Granville County, North Carolina where he then resided as a volunteer for a tour of three months in the year 1779 as well as he now remembers under the following officers ...

Richard Cook - Captain, William Moon - Colonel, Thomas Person - General and – Briant [?] Lieutenant .. We marched from Granville County to Hillsboro, thence to Salisbury in Rowan County. Thence we marched for the Indian Nation, fell upon the Catawba River and up the same as far as Silver Creek. There we were met by our General Parsons who, as we understood, had by a near route, crossed the Blue Ridge to the garrison and brought back word that our services were not wanting and ordered a retreat which we obeyed. We reached Granville before our three months was out but continued there under the command of our officers until our three months was out. I received no written discharge for this service."

The map to the right shows an approximate route Stephen's company may have taken in his first sortie in 1779. Of course, we are assuming a few things as we have no details as to the actual route that was taken. We assume the militia assembled at Oxford, North Carolina, the county seat of Granville County. The distance between Oxford and Silver Creek at Morgantown is about 200 miles. By Stephen's account it took nearly three months to make that round trip.

Cross Creek Sortie

Cross Creek Sortie
Part of American Revolutionary War
Date February 1780 Location Cross Creek (Fayetteville, N.C.)
Belligerents
North Carolina Line	British Regulars

Stephen's sortie to Cross Creek, now known as Fayetteville, North Carolina, was uneventful. As quoted by Stephen Jones Sr. in his Revolutionary War Pension Petition, 1834 ...

[He states that] ... "in the year 1780, as well as I remember, I know it was before the last tour I have mentioned, I was drafted to go a tour to Cross Creek (today known as [[Fayetteville, North Carolina|Fayetteville, North Carolina]]) against the British. I do not remember how long I was drafted for nor do I know how long I served. I only know we marched to Cross Creek but before we got there, understanding that the British had left the place, we returned home. From old age and the consequent loss of memory, I can not tell precisely how long I served in this tour but from the best of my knowledge and recollection not less than one month."

Yadkin River Sortie

As quoted by Stephen Jones Sr. in his Revolutionary War Pension Petition, 1834 ...

''"Afterwards in the year 1781, as well as I remember, I was drafted in [[Surry County, North Carolina]], where I had removed, for a tour of three months under [[Colonel William Moon]], [[Captain John Nall]], [[Lieutenant Robert Baker]]. We marched from Surry and joined [[Colonel Morgan]] on the [[Catawba River]]. I believe it was in the month of February. We had to wade the [[Catawba River]]. Colonel Morgan ordered us to [[Salisbury, North Carolina]] to guard some British prisoners. Whilst we were guarding these prisoners, Morgan whipped [[Banastre Tarleton|(Colonel) Tarleton]] and brought his prisoners to Salisbury. With all the prisoners now together, we commenced a retreat. The rain fell upon us and we were forced to march across the Adkin [sic, Yadkin River]. Many of the soldiers, I among the number [indecipherable word] as I am [indecipherable word or words] had to wade the River.The British opened a fire upon our baggage wagons as they were crossing the river. Thence to the Virginia line, there other troops took the prisoners into custody and our time being near out, that we had not time to reach home before it would expire. We were ordered home. When I got home I received a written discharge for this service having fully performed the three months and a few days over."''

Battle of Guilford Court House

Battle of Guilford Court House

Migration

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 Stephen's time and route of migration from Maryland to North Carolina is unknown. All we really know is that in 1779 Stephen volunteered into the North Carolina Militia in Granville County, Maryland. Sometime between 1750 and 1779, Stephen or his entire family, made their way into Virginia and then to North Carolina. The most likely route from St. Mary's County would have been over land to the north, following the Potomac River and to the The Philadelphia Road. Once on the Great Wagon Road, it is but a short distance to Fredericktown, Maryland, where several highways of the day converge and head south.

Maryland

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{{#display_map:lines=

 Saint Marys City, MD, USA:Dobson, NC, USA:Harlan, KY, USA~Migration Route~For Stephen S Jones~red~0.35~10
 | scrollzoom=off 

}}

 Emanuel Bowen, a well known British cartographer, penned a map of Virginia and Maryland in 1752 including St. Mary's County. The map shows towns and plantations as well as locations of Indian settlements.

 It is an undisputed fact stated in Stephen's Rev War Pension Petition, #S38092, that he was born in St. Mary's County, Maryland on August 19, 1750. We have no information as to where Stephen may have lived in St. Mary's County. We do not know any facts on his departure from Maryland. We do know that Stephen departed Maryland and arrived in North Carolina prior to 1779 based on his role in the North Carolina Militia.

 In the 18th century, Maryland used a method of land division called Hundred. This method of land management/ownership is very interesting to take note of.

 There were several Jones' in St. Mary's County in the time frame of the birth of Stephen Jones in 1750. As we do not know Stephen's parents, the following could possibly be related to Stephen Jones in some fashion; John Jones, Joseph Jones, Solomon Jones, Walter Jones and William Jones. The names listed are Jones' who are owners of land in St. Mary's County in the time frame between 1720 - 1750.

St. Mary's County

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St. Mary's County Seal

 In 1637 the entire colony of Maryland was St Mary's County. By 1696 counties had formed and reformed with the last county line for St. Mary's County being drawn in 1696 which to this day still holds. St. Mary's County is sandwiched between the Patuxen and Patowomack (Potomac) rivers to the north and south with the Chesapeake Bay to the east and Virginia to the west.

 The two main cities in 18th century St. Mary's County were St. Mary's City on St Mary's River, the original capitol of Maryland, and Leonardtown. By Stephen Jones' birth in 1750, the estimated population of Maryland was just under 150,000 people with tobacco as it's primary economic engine. That was up from a mere 29,000 people in 1700.

North Carolina

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Granville County

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Surry County

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Virginia

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 Some sources claim Stephen Jones moved to Lee County, Virginia in 1782 , however, Lee County, Virginia did not exist until 1793. This move would have been to Washington County, Virginia, making him one of the earlier pioneer families to do so. Russell County, Virginia was carved out of Washington County, Virginia in 1786. Finally, Russell County, Virginia was split with the Southwestern most portion of Virginia becoming Lee County, Virginia in 1793. This author surmises Stephen Jones did not move from county to county as research suggests. Rather Stephen Jones, after leaving Surry County, North Carolina stayed in one place along the Virginia/Kentucky frontier boundary prior to Kentucky becoming a state in 1792. With county boundaries being created, it caused the appearance of movement for Stephen Jones. Keep in mind, while the division of Russell County was in discussion and put to leadership during 1792, the Commonwealth of Kentucky was created. However, it is this author's surmise that Stephen was actually living on Kentucky soil before Kentucky became a state but due to the logistics of the wilderness, was counted in Virginia until 1797. By 1799, Stephen is counted in the Knox County, Kentucky roll call.

Washington County, VA.

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A Stephen Jones is listed in a Pay-abstract of a Detachment of Militia from Washington County, Virginia dated August of 1792. This Stephen Jones carries a rank of Corporal with a commitment of service date of September 3, 1792.

 The first census of the United States was carried out in 1790. There is a single Stephen Jones enumerated in Russell County.

 Although a date is not given, the following is listed on Page 91 in the RUSSELL COUNTY, VIRGINIA LAW ORDER BOOK 2 (1792 - 1799):

P91 - Robert Higginbottom be paid for killing 1 old wolf, George Kelms for killing 1 old wolf, Rolley Gray for killing 2 old wolves, Robert Daniel for killing 1 old wolf, Stephen Jones for killing 1 old wolf, William Hull for killing 1 old wolf, John Bricky for killing 1 old wolf, Samuel Adams for killing 1 old wolf, William Ewing for killing 2 old wolves, James Vanbebber for killing 1 old wolf, Michael Auxer for killing 1 old wolf, Daniel Deskins for killing 1 old wolf, Alden Williamson for killing 1 old wolf, Simon Cockrell for killing 1 old wolf, Joshua Ewing for killing 2 old wolves, Joseph Hatfield for killing 1 old wolf, John Counts for killing 1 old wolf, Job Hobbs for killing 1 old wolf, Henry Hover for killing 1 old wolf, John Vanbebber for killing 1 old wolf, Moses Ball for killing 2 old wolves, James Daniel for killing 1 old wolf, John Wallin for killing 1 old wolf, William Dorton for killing 1 old wolf, Volentine Hatfield for killing 1 old wolf, James Arbuckle for killing 3 old wolves,

 In 1792 many inhabitants of Russell County, most likely the lower portion or Southwestern most part of Russell County petitioned the local government to separate from Russell County and create a new county. The petition passed in 1793 and the creation of Lee County made. On the list of petitioners is Stephen Jones and Vincent Hobbs.

 In 1794, Stephen Jones would be part of the Vincent Hobbs Militia to capture Chief Robert Benge of the Cherokee Indians. Chief Robert Benge started his raids in 1785 by attacking the Archibald Scott family at Wallen Creek. These raids continued until 1794. In April 1794, Vincent Hobbs and his militia waited for Chief Robert Benge at Stone Gap, a gap used by both the Shawnee and Cherokee for their raids into Lee County, Virginia. Chief Benge was in route bringing some prisoners his braves had captured to be adopted into their tribe to replace family members killed by the white settlers. Hobbs and his men ambushed Benge killing him and 3 Indian braves. This was the last Indian battle fought in Southwest VA.

Virginia Tax Records

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Russell County, VA.

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Russell County, Virginia was formed out of Washington County, Virginia in 1786.

A Stephen Jones is found on the 1789, 1790, 1792 and 1793 Russell Co., Virginia Personal Property Tax List and labeled as:

Stephen Jones Lower 

Below is the 1790 Russell County, Virginia Personal Tax List Part A. Stephen Jones is listed along with Frederick Jones, however, no relation between Stephen and Frederick has been found.

Lee County, VA.

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Lee County, Virginia was formed out of Russell County, Virginia in 1793.

A Stephen Jones is found on the 1795, 1796, 1797 Lee County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List. 1797 is the last year this Stephen Jones is seen on Southwestern Virginia rolls.

Kentucky

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 Kentucky became the 15th colonial state on June 1, 1792. Until 1780, the entire area of Kentucky was known as Kentucky County, Virginia. Kentucky County, Virginia was abolished in 1780 being divided into the three counties of Fayette, Jefferson and Lincoln counties, Virginia. While Lincoln County, Virginia was further divided after 1780, the remainder of Lincoln County included the entire south eastern region of Kentucky, including current Knox and Harlan counties until Kentucky became a state in 1792. Knox County would not appear until 1799 with Harlan County following in 1819.

 In April of 1834, Stephen states in his Rev War pension application that, "I lived in Kentucky where I now live near 40 years." By taking Stephen's claim literally at 40 years, he would have then entered Kentucky about 1794 and lived in Lincoln County, Kentucky. Stephen would be 83 years old in April of 1834 and turning 84 by August of 1834. By his own timeline, he is in Kentucky by the age of 43 or 44 and still quite the young man. Even if we cut two or three years from his "40 year" claim, Stephen is still in Lincoln County, Kentucky well before Knox County was created. However, keep in mind that a Stephen Jones is listed on the 1797 Property Tax List for Lee County, Virginia.

The migration of Stephen Jones Sr. from North Carolina and reto Kentucky is an interesting project. It is this author's thoughts that Stephen Jones didn't migrate to Kentucky through the various Virginia counties. Rather, he initially move into what is now the Verda area of current Harlan County in the late 1780's and that south western Virginia counties were divided and created which makes it appear that Stephen is physically moving from place to place, when in all probability, he had been in Kentucky from the time he moved to Washington County, Virginia.apparently speculative material

 Some researchers report that Stephen Jones Sr. moved to Harlan County, Kentucky in 1794. This is just not true as the Lee County, Virginia Personal Tax records prove he was in Virginia until at least 1797. However, it appears Stephen is in Kentucky by 1799 as he is indeed listed on the 1799-1800 tax list in Knox County, Kentucky. According to some, Stephen Jones is apparently the first frontiersman to settle in the Verda, Kentucky area of then Knox County. Early USGS survey's of the area do not include the name of Verda. Today's Verda area has gone under several names. According to USGS, both the 1887 and 1891 maps of the area were known as Jonesville maps. Also known as Nolansburg map, the town of Verda did not appear on USGS maps until 1919, illustrated below. The town of Verda operated a US Post Office from 1917 through 1964, at which time the post office was renamed to Verda Rural Station from 1964 through 1973 before being closed down. Prior to the Verda post office, there was a Jonesburgh Post Office from 1886 though 1894 in Bledsoe and a Jonesburg Post Office from 1894 through 1896 in Nolansville.

1919 USGS 7.5 Minute Map - Portion of Nolansburg Map

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In 1807, Mary, Stephen Jones’s first wife died and was buried in Verde KY. Some researchers also claim that after Mary's death, Stephen Jones married Nancy Thompson. This doesn't appear to true either. As this Nancy Thompson married Stephen Jones of Halifax County, Virginia, son of Ambrose Jones and Catherine Collins of Granville County, North Carolina fame.

In 1828, Nancy died and also buried in Verde KY. Later that year Jones marred Susannah Wilburn. In 1832, Jones applied for a pension for his service in the revolutionary war. Sometime before 1840, Jones died and was buried near Jones creek

Knox County Census 1810

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Stephen Jones

Third U.S. Census, United States Census, 1810; Knox County, Kentucky; page 87, line 19, enumeration district Knox.

Knox/Harlan County Transfer

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Harlan County was formed in 1819 from the Eastern portion of Knox County. See list of men, aged 21 and older, transferred from Knox County to Harlan County.

Harlan County

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Transfer List

Land & Deeds

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1804 - Land grant in Knox county.

Death

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 We do not know the exact date of Stephen's death. What we do know is he was enumerated in the 1840 US Census, that he received his military pension until at least the 2nd quarter of 1841 and that he is not enumerated in the 1850 US Census. We can assume he lived until at least the spring/summer of 1841. According to the U.S. Government GAO, Stephen Jones received a last pension payment during the 2nd quarter of 1841.

Stephen's last payment voucher. GAO.

Will

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 To date, no Last Will & Testament has been uncovered for Stephen S. Jones Sr.

Burial

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 Stephen S. Jones Sr. is believed to be buried in Jones Cemetery, also known as Crab Orchard Cemetery, in Harlan County, Ky. The cemetery is located on private property in the community of Ross Point, just off Highway 119 in Harlan County. It's interesting to note the "Latin Cross" on the headstone. The option for a religious symbol, either the cross or the Star of David, was not available until May 12, 1925.

[INSERT MAP HERE]

 Dr. James Black Jones, DDM, a direct descendant of Stephen as well as a highly regarded and well respected member of the Harlan community, initiated a military headstone request for Stephen Jones burial location on Wednesday, October 18, 1939. On November 27, 1939 Dr. Jones' request is approved and December 22, 1939, the headstone was shipped to Harlan County. The fact that Dr. Jones, of such high stature, goes to this trouble, lends credence to the unproven fact that John Jones Sr. 1774 - 1870 is indeed, a son of Stephen S. Jones Sr.

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D.A.R.

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The Mountain Trail Chapter of the D.A.R. also placed a headstone

DAR Headstone for Stephen Jones Sr.

Excerpt from a newspaper printed in September 1940 at the time the Government tombstone at the grave of Stephen Jones was dedicated:

Harlan County, Kentucky
Mountain Trail Chapter NSDAR
Data for Stephen Jones, Revolutionary Soldier

DAR to place marker at grave of Stephen Jones, Revolutionary War Soldier, in program near Verda. Dedication services in which a marble marker will be placed at the grave will be conducted Sunday by the Mountain Trail Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The program will mark the completion of several months work by several menbers of the DAR Chapter, in which the Genealogy of Stephen Jones was traced. The grave is located on Jones Creek about 1 1/4 miles from Verda. The program will include an address by Mrs. Daniel Boone Smith and Luther Jones, Superintendent of Dizney School, one of the descendants of Stephen Jones. The program will start at 2:00.

A cordial invitation to the services has been extended to all descendants, all patriotic societies, the National Guard, and the public in general. The marker was provided by the Government last May and since that time the members of the DAR Chapter have been tracing the line of Stephen Jones. Two descendants of the man, Dr. J. B. Jones of Harlan, and Rev. J.R. Jones of Verda have given material and assistance in locating the grave and erecting the marker.

Harlan Co was not formed until 1819 From Knox Co... He might have lived in Knox Co and that part transferred to Harlan Co in 1819 There are these Jones who were transferred to Harlan Co from Knox Co in 1819 Zachariah JonesStephen Jones SrJames JonesElijah JonesJohn Jones

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Census

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The first U.S. Census was performed beginning August of 1790. According to the U.S. Census Archive, it took 9 months to complete. The "Heads of Families of the First Census of the United States" includes North Carolina, however, the Virginia census was lost during the War of 1812 and the attack on Washington, D.C..

In the search for detail about Stephen S. Jones there is not a clear date when he left North Carolina and moved into Virginia. What is known, is that he lived in North Carolina in both the Hillsborough District, which includes Granville County, and the Salisbury District, which includes Surry County.

Additional Enumeration/Taxation

• 1760
• 1772
• 1780
• 1790
• 1800

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  1835 US Rev War Pensioners of Harlan County

References

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External links

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• [General Joseph Martin Chapter - SAR|http://www.josephmartinchapter.org/jones.html]