This Official Site of The TNGenWeb and USGenWeb Projects is
Giles County, Tennessee
Jones Families Biographies
compiled by
Giles County, TNGenWeb Researcher Nancy B. Brown
HON. THOMAS M. JONES, attorney at law, is a son of Wilson and Rebecca (McKissack) Jones, and of Welsh-Scotch descent. The father of Mr. Jones was a Virginian and immigrated to Giles County, Tenn., in 1817, and died here in 1818. His grandfather McKissick was a Revolutionary soldier. Our subject was born in Person County, N. C., December 16, 1816, and was the youngest of five children. He grew up on the farm and received a common school education. In 1831 he entered the University of Alabama, where he remained until the fall of 1833, after which he entered the University of Virginia and there remained until 1835. In the latter school he began the study of law, and after returning to Pulaski he began reading law in the office of Col. John H. Rivers & W. C. Flournoy, and remained here until 1836, when he raised a company for the Seminole war; was mustered out January, 1837, and the same year was admitted to practice law. In 1844 he was county elector on the Democratic ticket, and in 1845 he was elected to represent Lincoln and Giles Counties in the Legislature, and in 1847 was elected State senator for Giles and Maury Counties. He was elected a member of the Confederate Congress in 1861. Nine years later he was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention of Tennessee. For nearly fifty years he has been engaged in the law practice, and is now the oldest, practitioner in Giles County bar. He has held the office of judge a number of times by appointment. He is one of the successful lawyers of this part of Tennessee. December 25,1838, he wedded Marietta Perkins, of Williamson County, Tenn., and to this union were born nine children: Calvin (deceased), Charles P., Thomas W., Hume T., Harriet, Edward S., Lulie A., Lee W. and Nicholas T. Mr. Jones is a Democrat, a Mason, a Knight Templar, Commandery No. 12. Mrs. Jones died in 1871, and in 1883 Mr. Jones married Mrs. Ann Wood, of West Tennessee. He and wife are members of the Episcopal Church. (Goodspeed's History of Giles County, 1886)
* See Thomas McKISSACK
THOMAS McKISSICK JONES was born in Pearson County, North Carolina, December 16, 1816, but while he was an infant his father's family removed to Giles County, Tennessee, where he was reared and passed his life. He attended local schools until 1831, when he was sent to the University of Alabama, where he remained until 1833, after which he attended the University of Virginia.
Returning to Pulaski in 1853, he read law one year, and the Florida war breaking out at that time, put aside his professional pursuits, and raised a company which formed a part of the First Tennessee cavalry, or mounted infantry, Regiment. He was made Captain of the company, and had among his men Neill S. Brown, Archibald Wright, and Solon E. Rose, who came so near being United States Senator. At the end of the war he returned to Pulaski, and was licensed to practice law. He continued in the practice without interruption until 1844, when he was made County Elector for Giles County on the Democratic ticket. In 1845 he was elected to the lower house of the Legislature, and in 1847 was chosen State Senator for the counties of Giles and Maury. In 1861 he was elected to the Confederate Congress, and served until after the fall of Fort Donelson, declining a re-election. He remained in Pulaski until the Federal occupation of that place, when he was seized and sent as a prisoner to Governor Andrew Johnson, at Nashville. Johnson paroled him on condition that he would not communicate with the Confederate Congress or with the Confederate commanders while Pulaski was surrounded by the Federal forces. After the Federal armies had been withdrawn, he went South and remained until the close of the war, although he did not enlist. After the war he resumed his practice at Pulaski, and continued it until his death.
In 1872 he was, by appointment, for ten months Judge of the Criminal Court for the counties of Giles, Maury, Williamson and Marshall. In 1877 he was Judge of the Court of Arbitration for Middle Tennessee. At different times he served upon the supreme bench by special appointment, and on one of these occasions delivered a very learned and able opinion in the case of the State of Tennessee vs. Whitworth.
Judge Jones was throughout his life a Democrat. In 1856, and again in 1880, he was a delegate to National Democratic conventions. He was a delegate from Giles County to the Constitutional Convention of 1870, and served on the Judiciary Committee. He advocated the appointment of Judges and Chancellors by the Governor, hoping thereby to remove the Judiciary from politics.
He was twice married, and his descendants form a goodly company, both in number and in quality. One of his daughters married Z. W. Ewing, of Pulaski, one of the leading lawyers of Middle Tennessee. Three of his sons were in the Confederate army, and two of them were captured at Fort Donelson. Judge Jones was a man of very considerable ability, and while he was frequently drawn into politics, his ambitions were all in the line of his profession. He was an industrious and capable lawyer, with an aptitude for affairs very uncommon in his profession. By thrift and by judicious investments, he accumulated a considerable estate, and passed the closing years of his life in comfort, although he suffered at one time large losses as surety for his friends. While he was not among the most conspicuous men of his time, he held a high place at the bar, and was widely known as one of the best and most useful citizens of Tennessee. (Tennessee, The Volunteer State, 1769-1923, Vol. 2, John Trotwood Moore and Austin P. Foster, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1923)
NBB Notes: Thomas McKissick JONES, a freemason, died in Pulaski, Giles County, on 13 Mar 1892, and is buried at Maplewood Cemetery in Pulaski. A suit was brought in chancery court that same year (File Box J-8 Case 4764) by Charles P. and Hume Jones, citizens of Alabama, T.W., Lee W. and N. Tate Jones, citizens of Giles, and Edward S. Jones of Davidson County, Tennessee, complainants, vs. Robert A. Abernathy, Tommie Abernathy And Marietta Ewing, citizens of Giles, defendants. Complainants state that the six of them are the only heirs of Mrs. Marietta Jones who died Jul 1872, that the complainants are her children and the defendants her grandchildren, Robert A. and Tommie ABERNATHY being the only children of deceased daughter Lula N. who married J.P. Abernathy and died 20 Feb 1891,and Marietta Ewing the only child of Hattie P. who married Z. W. Ewing and died 2 Feb 1889. Calvin P. [sic] Jones died in 1873, never having been married. Marietta Jones was the wife of Thomas M. Jones, and daughter of Dr. Charles Perkins and Harriet Field Perkins. Cora B. was the wife of Charles P. Jones. Mrs. Jones was the owner of a tract in the 7th District east of Pulaski upon which was situated a large and valuable house and other improvements, and was deeded to her in dividsion of lands of Mrs. Harriet Perkins, bounded by lands formerly belonging to the herirs of Charlesana and C.H. Carter, the only sister of Mrs. Jones, and [others]. Harriet P. Ewing died leaving one daughter, Marietta Everett. Land survey of Dr. Charles perkins included in this case. (Giles County Chancery Court, Woodruff Files A thru G, 1830-1900, Vol. I, by Elizabeth White, Pulaski, Tenn, copyright 1987, Parker and White)
The 1850 Giles County, Tennessee Census, Pulaski Twp., p. 335, HH 101-101, is that of Thomas M. Jones, 36 M NC, Lawyer $14,000, Marietta, 28 F Tenn, Calvin 10 M Student , Charles 7 M Student, Thomas 5 M, Hume 2, M, Charles Anna Perkins 22 F $4000.
The 1870 Giles County, Tennessee Census, Pulaski, Page 148, HH411- 411, shows the following:
Jones, Thomas M. 54 M W Lawyer 35000 6000 N. Carolina X
Jones, Marietta 48 F W Keeping House 15000 Tennessee
Jones, Calvin 29 M W Lawyer Tennessee X
Jones, Charlie 26 M W Lawyer Tennessee X
Jones, Thos W 23 M W Lawyer Tennessee X
Jones, Hune F. 21 M W Grocing Mchn 3000 Tennessee X X
Jones, Hattie 18 F W Tennessee
Jones, Edward 15 M W At School Tennessee X
Jones, Lucy A. 13 F W At School Tennessee X
Jones, Lee W. 10 M W At School Tennessee X
Jones, Tate P. 7 M W At School Tennessee X
Land, Betsey 65 F W Keeping House N. Carolina X
JUDGE CALVIN JONES, an old and prominent citizen of Fayette County, was born in Person County, N.C., July 8, 1810, and is the son of Wilson and Rebecca (McKissack) Jones. He graduated from the University of North Carolina, and in 1831 was elected assistant professor of ancient languages at the University of Alabama and remained there until 1833, when he commenced the study of law, reading under Gov. Aaron V. Brown, of Pulaski [Giles County], Tenn., and was admitted to the bar in 1835. In 1837 Judge Jones moved to Somerville [Fayette County] and practiced law until 1847 when he was elected chancellor of the western division of Tennessee by the Legislature, and filled this office until 1854, when he resigned and resumed the practice of law at Somerville. Judge Jones has been one of the most popular lawyers of Fayette County; he possesses the happy faculty of making friends under all circumstances, and as chancellor was liked by every one. On October 15, 1835, he married Mildred, daughter of James and Susan Williamson of North Carolina, and had three sons: Thomas W., Alexander W. and James M. Mr.and Mrs. Jones are members of the Presbyterian Church and he contributes freely of his money to the church and to all charitable objects. He is a member of the F. &. A. M., and politically is a Democrat. Goodspeed's History of Tennessee, Fayette County)
JAMES L. JONES (familiarly known as Lew Jones), county judge was born in Giles County, Tenn., October 28, 1824, son of Edward Dandridge and Elizabeth H. (Rainey) Jones, natives of Virginia and North Carolina, respectively. The former was born in 1788 and the latter in 1790. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Abram Jones, a native of Virginia, who died in that State some time about 1792. About 1818 the father of our subject immigrated to Giles County, Tenn., and for nineteen years was county court clerk. He died in 1855. Our subject's mother died in Tennessee in 1854. James L. Jones was a country boy, and received his education in the common schools. In 1847 he enlisted in Company C, Third Regiment, Tennessee Foot Volunteers of the Mexican war. He was a lieutenant, and served until the close of the war. From 1848 to 1855 he was deputy county court clerk. Then for a number of years he was engaged in trading. In 1865 he was elected magistrate and also assistant assessor of internal revenue, which position he held until 1869. In 1873 he was elected county judge, which office he has held continuously since. His official record is one of the best ever made in Giles County. In 1860 he wedded Julia E. Blair, of Maury County, Tenn., and this union was blessed by the birth of nine children, six of whom survive: Edward B, Llewellyn, Mattie R., Elizabeth H., William R., and Mary. Mr. Jones was formerly a Whig, but is now a Democrat. He is a Mason, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. (Goodspeed's History of Giles County, 1886)
The 1850 Giles County Census, District 16, p. 419, includes HH 186-186, Edward D. JONES, 62, VA, farmer, $4,000; Elizabeth H. JONES, 60, NC. James L. JONES, 22, TN, and Alphonzo J. ARMSTRONG, 14, TN, and Martin T. ARMSTRONG, 12, TN (both students). See 1855 Giles County Records for all children of Edward Dandridge and Elizabeth RAINEY Jones.
JOHN W. JONES, M. D., is one of the oldest and best known physicians in Izard County, Ark., and was born in Giles County, Tenn., on the 1st of March, 1832. He inherits Welsh blood from his paternal ancestors, his grandfather, Wiley, and his great grandfather, John JONES, having been born in that country. They came to America a short time prior to the Revolutionary War, and John took an active part in that struggle, taking sides with the colonists in their struggle for liberty, serving throughout the entire war as a private. He afterward settled in Virginia, near the North Carolina line, but after these two States were divided his home was found to be on the North Carolina side, and in this State he died near Charlotte in 1807. Wiley Jones and his wife, who was also born in Wales, removed to the State of Tennessee at a very early day, and there he reared his family and engaged in farming, being the owner of a large amount of property, both personal and real. He died in 1827. His son Cebern was born in North Carolina, and in his youth learned the boot and shoemaker's trade, which business he conducted in Nashville from 1863 to 1871, his death occurring in the latter year. He was married, in 1827, to Miss Selina W. Mealor, and their marriage was blessed in the birth of four children, John W. and William being the only ones now living, the latter a farmer of Greene County, Mo. The mother's death occurred in 1837, and Mr. JONES took for his second wife Miss Sarah STEPHENS, their union resulting in the birth of four sons and three daughters: Mary A., the widow of James CASH; Sarah A., Christina, George W., Thomas N., Newton J. and Louis E. Mr. JONES and this wife were divorced, and he espoused his third wife in Nashville, Tenn. He was a member of the Old School Presbyterian Church, and in his political views was a Whig.
His son, Dr. John W. JONES, was reared to farm life, but lived in the villages of Louisburg [Lewisburg, Marshall County] and Connersville [Cornersville, Giles, later Marshall]; receiving his early scholastic advantages in the schools of those places and Jackson College, at Columbia [Maury County], Tenn., which institution he entered when seventeen years of age, remaining one term. Upon leaving school he learned the harness maker's and saddler's trade, but after following this occupation two years he came to Arkansas in 1855, and settled in Independence County [Arkansas], where he was engaged in teaching school, following this occupation in Polk Bayou, and afterward in Searcy County [Arkansas]. During his days of pedagoguing his leisure moments were devoted to the study of medicine with the view to making it his calling through life, and in 1860 he entered upon his practice continuing until the opening of the rebellion, when he joined the Confederate forces as a private, and after serving one month was promoted to the position of assistant surgeon and filled the position three years. He took part in a number of battles, Pea Ridge, Iuka and Corinth being among the number. He was taken prisoner at Port Hudson, but after being kept in captivity for six days he was paroled and returned to Searcy County, Ark., where he again resumed the practice of his profession. In 1865 he located at Evening Shade, and after teaching school for twenty months he again entered upon the practice of medicine, being in partnership with Dr. HILL, but this connection only continued a short time. He moved to near La Crosse in 1868, but in 1873 he came to Izard County and settled on the old Langston place, where he remained seven years. He purchased his present property at the end of that time, and by adding forty acres now has a farm comprising 100 acres, with about twenty acres under cultivation. Prior to the war, in 1861, he attended the Medical College, of St. Louis, Mo., but owing to some disagreement between Prof. MCDOWELL and some of his German and Irish students the institution was closed. Dr. JONES is a member of the A. F. & A. M., the I. O. O. F., and in his political views is a Democrat. He was married in October, 1866, to Miss Martha H. TAYLOR, of Izard County, and by her is the father of [p.952] ten children: Mary F., wife of Robert GUEST; John W., Cebern S., James T., Margaret J., Samuel T., Wiley N., Martha C., Nancy A. and George R. Mrs. JONES is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Dr. Jones is a physician of acknowledged merit, and an excellent proof of his ability is shown in the extended territory over which he goes to alleviate the sufferings of the sick. (Goodspeeds' History of Arkansas, Izard County, 1883)
No Seaborn or Wiley JONES are on the 1830 Giles Census. Seaborn [sic] JONES is on the 1836 Giles County Tax List, District 17, with 1 white poll, but is not found on the 1840 Giles County Census. Also on the 1836 Giles Tax List for District 17 are Benjamin, Isaac, John H. and Sarah JONES, and Jane and William MEALER.
Return to
Index to Biographies
Histories and Biographies
Giles Co, TNGenWeb
Copyright 2000-1 TNGenNet, Inc. (gifted by Sarah Smith (2000) and Nancy B. Brown (2001))
