List of Enslaved People Belonging to William Jones (1802-1885)
Research by Stacy Ashmore Cole
Updated: 5/7/2021
Introduction
William Jones, a white planter and slaveholder born May 6, 1802 in Liberty County, died in 1885, well after the Civil War, which meant that he had no probate records that would have identified enslaved people belonging to him. However, other information exists that can be pieced together to allow descendants of these enslaved people to trace their ancestors’ lives. This article uses those other documents to create a table of all the people known to have been enslaved by William Jones with the information about them that was found as of April 2021.
Finding the Sources
William Jones’ parents were Samuel Jones (1767-1836) and Mary Way (1767-1845). Mary Way was the daughter of Moses Way (1734-1786) and Ann (Winn) Way (1740-1790). William Jones himself married Mary Jane Robarts (1806-1886) in 1823. She was the daughter of John Robarts (1766-1817) and Elizabeth Quarterman (1773-1826).
These dates and relationships are as important as the date of William Jones’ death, because they are potential pathways by which William Jones could have obtained enslaved people: through inheritance when a parent or grandparent died.
Additionally, enslaved people could have entered the Jones family’s possession when women married into the family, bringing with them inheritance from a parent or grandparent, so the maiden names of the women are also important. It was common in Liberty County for freed people to adopt a surname of an early enslaver of their family, so the maiden names may well hold clues.
Here are dates to look for:
- William Jones’ father Samuel died in 1836, which was after William Jones became of age and married (in 1823), so if he were to have set up on his own as a planter, he would have needed to have obtained land and enslaved people in a way other than inheritance. This makes deed records important. We will also look for inheritance records from 1836.
- His mother, Mary Way, also did not die until 1845, so any “property” she inherited from his father would not have come to William until after 1845.
- Mary Jane Robarts’ father, John Robarts, had died prior to her marriage to William Jones, so the possibility she brought enslaved people and/or land into the marriage, should be considered.
- Her mother, Elizabeth Quarterman Robarts, died in 1826, a few years after Mary Jane’s marriage to William, so that is another date to look for an estate inventory or will that might show an inheritance.
William Jones also had siblings with whom he might have traded land and/or enslaved people: Rebecca Jones (1792-1829) (married to John Way), Samuel Jones Jr (1797-1819), Moses Liberty Jones (1805-1851), and Ann T. Jones Varnedoe (married to Nathaniel Varnedoe) (1794-1839). They all died prior to the Civil War, so their probate records could be very useful in tracing enslaved people associated with this family.
The usual records to research in this case are deed records, which would include marriage contracts and deeds of gift, wills, and estate inventories. Although the research is handicapped by the fact that William Jones died after the Civil War, so had no probate records naming enslaved people, a surprising find and a generous gift suddenly opened up new horizons for this research.
The Sources
Sharon Hoffman, a retired journalist and a researcher of the Liberty County African American community, discovered a copy of William Jones’ plantation journal for sale online! She purchased it, and kindly lent me a copy and permission to cite it.
Another incredibly useful discovery was that William Jones’ daughter, Cornelia Jones Pond, born in 1834, wrote a memoir of her life in which she named specific enslaved people and described them. Combining her memoir, the journal, and the available court records (deeds and probate) for the Jones family makes it possible to shine a light on these enslaved people’s lives.
What does the plantation journal tell us? While the journal itself is mostly concerned with the weather, there are lists at the end, by year from 1842 to 1860, of enslaved people who were given blankets, baskets, and bags, and from whom Jones bought hogs. Putting the names into a spreadsheet by year tells us what years these people were with Jones. Each person appears to have received new blankets every 2d or 3d year, and the other items even less often, so they were not mentioned every year.
The Cornelia Jones Pond memoir is from a genre of slaveholder memoirs written after the Civil War and looking back with nostalgia. They are sentimental, whitewashed, and biased, but individual facts in the memoirs can be useful. In this case, Pond mentioned and told stories about the enslaved people she grew up among. The stories are entirely from her own biased perspective, but still place the people in a place and time.
The deed and probate records show us when certain people were purchased by William Jones and when inheritances resulted in enslaved people coming into his possession. Full citations for all these records are at the end of this page. Special notes:
William Jones’ father Samuel left everything to his wife Mary, who died in 1845 and divided her estate between William and his brother Moses L. Jones. In 1846, William and Moses divided Mary’s estate.
William Jones’ sister-in-law Amarintha E. Robarts married Robert P. Burton. When his father-in-law John Robarts died, the estate was divided between R.P. Burton [as Amarintha’s husband] and William Jones’ wife.
Black and white people in early Liberty County attended the same churches. In 1846, a local clergyman, plantation owner, and slaveholder, Rev. Charles Colcock Jones, made a census of every African American church member in Liberty County’s 15th district. This remarkable document names over 1100 Black church members, enslaved and free, and lists their slaveholders. A number of people held enslaved by William Jones attended church. In addition, the Midway Congregational Church of Liberty County, was founded in 1852, and its quarterly session records from 1852-1867 name its African-descended members, both enslaved and free.
Location
Pond’s memoir also specified that she grew up on her father’s Tekoah plantation, which she said bordered on the Woodmanston plantation owned by Louis LeConte. Woodmanston Plantation is on Barrington Ferry Road southeast of Riceboro. There were several large plantations in that area, and many freed people settled and farmed there after Emancipation.
I did not find a record indicating when or from whom William Jones bought Tekoah. His father, Samuel Jones Sr, and John Way used several tracts of land named Fair Lawn, Rural Felicity, and Butler’s Tract — about 1100 acres said to be near Riceboro — as collateral on a loan from John and Martha Elliott of $4000 in 1819. The land was said to be bounded on the south and east by LeConte’s land and Rice Hope plantation, east by land that used to belong to the estate of John Jones, north and west by land belonging to John Powell. In 1833, Thomas J. Shepard and his wife Serena sold William Jones the Fair Lawn plantation, which Serena had inherited from John Way.
In 1831, William and Mary Jones sold to Samuel J. Cassels and Thomas Q. Cassels, of Richmond County, for $500 a tract of land in Liberty County that William and Mary Jones had inherited from the estate of John Robarts, 401 acres known as Goshen, bounded on the north by Thomas Shepard’s estate, west by Thomas Shepard’s estate and Charlton Hines, and on all other sides by land belonging to R.P. Burton (who had married Mary Jones’ sister Amarintha).
In 1860, William Jones purchased the Cedar Hill Plantation from the heirs of William LeConte. That plantation bordered land already owned by Jones.
All this to say that it is not clear where the people who were not listed in the plantation book were held, or that all were on the same place, but all were almost certainly within the general vicinity shown on the map above.
Putting the Sources Together
Combining all these sources into the table below gives us a picture of the people held enslaved by William Jones over the course of his adult life. It was the custom to use prefixes to distinguish people of the same name, such as “Old,” “Big,” “Little,” “Young.” These references have been listed separately, but for example, “Old Affee” may be the same person as “Big Affee.” Also, when blankets were issued, Jones often listed the recipient with “(and her children)”. These references are listed separately from the same name by itself. For example, “Bell (and her children)” may be the same person as “Bell” listed by herself, since her children are later listed separately, but the references have been separated just in case.
Caution: When there are several people of the same name, an attempt has been made to put the information with the right person based on dates. Also, there were many white planters with the surnames Jones in Liberty County, and many of them held enslaved people with similar names. Please check the information for yourself if you are using this document to find ancestors.
List of People Held Enslaved by William Jones During His Lifetime
Name | Mentioned in the Plantation Book in these years | Named in Cornelia Jones Pond memoir | Deed & Probate Records | Church Membership |
Affee (and her children) | 1843 | |||
Affee (Little) | 1844, 1845, 1847, 1848, 1851, 1854, 1857, 1858, 1860 | |||
Affee (Big & her children) | 1846, 1849, 1852, 1858 | “Big Affee” [not clear which one] purchased by William Jones from William Hughes in 1834 [4] | ||
Affee (Old) | 1848, 1850, 1852 | An Affy belonging to William Jones attended Midway Church in 1846. | ||
Agrippa | Agrippa used as collateral on promissory note by William Jones to Mrs. Jane L. Harden in 1858. [10] | |||
Amy (and her children) | 1843, 1846 | An Amy purchased by William Jones from William Foster’s estate in 1841 [1] | ||
Amy | 1847, 1852, 1855, 1858 | |||
Amie [could be Amy] | 1850 | |||
NOTE: It is possible that these three “Amys” are the same woman. | ||||
Anne/Annie (and her children) | 1843, 1846, 1848, 1855, 1858 | p. 4 “My nurse was a negro girl named Annie, who is still living in Liberty County.” | ||
Anne | 1852 | |||
An Anna (not clear which one) belonging to W. Jones was admitted to Midway Church in 1854. | ||||
Anthony | 1846, 1849, 1852 | |||
Bell (and family) | 1842, 1845 | |||
Bell | 1848, 1850, 1851, 1852, 1854, | p. 50 In 1855, Cornelia and husband moved to Savannah, taking Kate with her, and “in the wagon was Kate’s mother, Belle, who was to be our cook, and Sister’s maid, Eliza.” p. 52 In 1856, Cornelia and husband spent their vacation in Columbus and “we took Belle to mind her, sending Kate and Fannie out to the country.” p. 55 Mentions that her baby’s nurse was “Mum Belle.” Belle was still the nurse in 1859 (p. 57) | “Bell and her child Cate” purchased by William Jones from William Hughes in 1841. [6] | Attending Midway Church in 1846. Bell, belonging to William Jones, was readmitted to Midway Church in 1843 following suspension. |
Bella | 1859 | Bella used as collateral on promissory note by William Jones to Mrs. Jane L. Harden in 1858. [10] | ||
Bess | 1859 | Bess bought at auction by William Jones from estate of Lewis LeConte in 1853. [8] Bess used as collateral on promissory note by William Jones to Mrs. Jane L. Harden in 1858. [10] | ||
Betty (Little) | 1842 | |||
Betty | 1845 (two Bettys mentioned that year) | |||
Betty | 1844, 1845, 1847, 1848, 1850, 1851, 1854, 1857, 1860 | |||
Billy | 1846 | |||
Billy (Little) | 1843, 1844, 1846, 1847, 1849, 1850, 1852 | |||
Billy Way | 1842, 1844, 1845, 1847, 1848, 1850, 1854, 1857, 1859, 1860 | William Jones’ mother was a Way. | ||
A Billy (not clear which one) was received into membership at the Midway Church on August 18, 1849. | ||||
Bristol | Bristol bought at auction by William Jones from estate of Lewis LeConte in 1853. [8] | |||
Caesar | [not named] | p. 83 “On our return home [in 1865], we were met by one of Father’s little negro boys, Caesar, who told us that Mr. Pond had come home.” | ||
Cate (Big Cate & her family) | 1843 | |||
Cate (Big) | 1845, 1848, 1850, 1851, 1852, 1854, 1857, 1860 | |||
Cato | 1843 | Cato, belonging to William Jones, admitted to Midway Church on February 25, 1832. | ||
Caty (Little) | 1842 | |||
Cate (Little) | 1845 | |||
Caty | 1844, 1847, 1854, 1857 | p. 50 In 1855, Cornelia and husband moved to Savannah, taking Kate with her, and “in the wagon was Kate’s mother, Belle, who was to be our cook, and Sister’s maid, Eliza.” p. 52 In 1856, Cornelia and husband spent their vacation in Columbus and “we took Belle to mind her, sending Kate and Fannie out to the country.” | “Bell and her child Cate” purchased by William Jones from William Hughes in 1841. [6] | Member of the Midway Church in 1846. |
A Katey belonging to William Jones admitted to membership in the Midway Church in 1850. | ||||
Charles | 1844, 1846, 1847, 1849, 1850, 1852, 1855, 1858 | |||
Chelis?? | 1843 | |||
Chloe (and her children) | 1843, 1846, 1849, [just Chloe after this] 1852, 1855, 1858 | p. 18 “I must tell you about “Mum Chloe.” She was given Father by his father when she was a little girl and mother taught her to be a fine laundress, seamstress, and cook, and she took Mum Phyllis’s place after her death. She used to amuse us children by the big words of her own making. Her son, Titus, was the carriage driver for years.” p. 76 “One night a squad of them camped all night on our lawn and got our fine old cook, Chloe, to cook for them. She told me afterwards, “Why Miss Nela, I t’ought a yankee was lak de debbul, but de ones I cooked fer, wuz as nice genelmens as I ebber saw.” p. 17-18 “Chloe was faithful until demoralized by Sherman’s army when she left the kitchen. Upon Mother’s asking her why she had not been able to help her like Nellie, she replied, “Humph, de wull yew stan like e bin” (“The world don’t stand like it been”), showing that she realized the great change that had come between master and servant. But after the army left and the other negroes went back to work in the spring on shares, she came back to the kitchen to resume her work and ran up early to my room where some of the kitchen utensils had been brought, saying, “Miss Nela, way de kittle, way de ports; Lemme go git brekfus!” She went into the deserted kitchen and began working. I went downstairs and told Father, and he went to the kitchen and told her to leave; he did not wish her to work for him anymore as she had been so unfaithful. It was a great disappointment to us when we would see her going to the fields with the hands; we could not but regret that Father had not taken her back.” | Mary Jones gave to her son William Jones a tract of land and four people: Phillis, Chloe, Rosannah & Paul in 1836. [5] | Was a member of North Newport Baptist (now First African Baptist) in 1846. |
Cinder | 1860 | |||
Clarrissa | A Clarrissa used as collateral on promissory note by William Jones to Mrs. Jane L. Harden in 1858. [10] | |||
Cretia | Cretia bought at auction by William Jones from estate of Lewis LeConte in 1853. [8] | |||
Cudjoe | 1843, 1846, 1849, 1852, 1855, 1858 | p. 64 “I had Cudjo our carpenter to make me two blocks the size of my head…” about 1862. | A Cudjoe bought by William Jones at auction from estate of John S. Quarterman in 1841 [3] | |
Cyrus | 1843, 1846, | |||
Delia | 1843, 1844, 1846, 1847, 1849, 1850, 1852, 1855, 1858 | A Delia purchased by William Jones from William Foster’s estate in 1841 [1] | Was a member of North Newport Baptist (now First African Baptist) in 1846. | |
Diannah (and her children) | 1843 | |||
Dianna | 1845, 1846, 1849, 1850, 1852, 1855, 1858 | A Dianna purchased by William Jones from William Hughes in 1834 [4] | ||
Given the years listed, it is possible that there was only one Diannah, and that her children were old enough to be listed on their own after 1843. A Diana belonging to William Jones was received into membership in the Midway Church on May 18, 1839, and was still attending the Midway Church in 1846. | ||||
Dick | 1859 | Used as collateral on promissory note by William Jones to Mrs. Jane L. Harden in 1858. [10] | ||
Dinah | 1843, 1846, 1849, 1850, 1852, 1855, 1858 | |||
Edmond | 1846, 1849, 1850, 1852, 1855, 1858 | An Edmond purchased by William Jones from William Hughes in 1834 [4] | ||
Elsy | An Elsy used as collateral on promissory note by William Jones to Mrs. Jane L. Harden in 1858. [10] | |||
Eliza | 1858 | “Lizza” bought at auction by William Jones from estate of Lewis LeConte in 1853. [8] | ||
Fannie | [not mentioned] | p. 52 In 1856, after Cornelia’s first child was born, “Mother brought Nellie to wait on me and also good things from the country, and also brought a little maid named Fannie to leave with me, thinking I would need more help now.” p. 52 In 1856, Cornelia and husband spent their vacation in Columbus and “we took Belle to mind her, sending Kate and Fannie out to the country.” | Fanny bought at auction by William Jones from estate of Lewis LeConte in 1853. [8] Used as collateral on promissory note by William Jones to Mrs. Jane L. Harden in 1858. | |
Fedee (and Feedee) | 1843, 1846, 1849, 1852, 1855, 1858 | p. 17-18 “Feedee,” Nellie’s sister, was our chambermaid since I was a little child, and filled that place until the War. Her name was Phyllis, but I could not pronounce it and called her “Fedee,” which name clung to her.” | ||
Fortune | 1843, 1846, 1849, 1852, 1855, 1858 | p. 80-1 Mention of Cornelia’s father having had “one man, the most faithful and honest, he though, except Peter” help him bury some valuables. In February 1865, he found they had been stolen, and sent that man, identified as Fortune, to ask him to go bring them, not letting him know he had already been there and found them gone. Fortune and a search party “searched” all day for the items and finally (she said) “found” them. She said that the enslaved people had already divided them up and hid them again, and that “one of the negroes, Frank, had Father’s watch and chain, but he had brought it to Father the night before.” “The negroes said Paul (the boy who used to go to school with me) had your father’s watch and chain, and as he had been shot and killed on the Darien road, I never recovered it.” | A Fortune, belonging to William Jones, admitted to Midway Church on February 17, 1854. He was mentioned in church records in 1856 and 1867 and appeared to have been involved with Tirah [alt: Tyrah], who was enslaved by Leander Varnedoe. | |
Frank | 1853, 1856, 1859 | Frank bought at auction by William Jones from estate of Lewis LeConte in 1853. [8] | A Frank belonging to W. Jones was admitted into membership of the Midway Church on February 17, 1854. | |
Galbo | Galbo bought at auction by William Jones from estate of Lewis LeConte in 1853. [8] | |||
George | 1843, 1846, 1849, 1850, 1852, 1855, 1858 | p. 5 “the coachman George, and Annie, my nurse…” p. 76 In December 1864, “another day these same men [soldiers] returned and sent insulting notes to the house to us ladies by one of the oldest servants George.” | A George belonging to William Jones was listed as a member of the Midway Church in 1856. | |
George Harden | 1859 | George used as collateral on promissory note by William Jones to Mrs. Jane L. Harden in 1858. [10] | ||
Gilbert | Gilbert bought at auction by William Jones from estate of Lewis LeConte in 1853. [8] | |||
Ginny | Ginny bought at auction by William Jones from estate of Lewis LeConte in 1853. [8] | |||
Grace | Grace bought at auction by William Jones from estate of Lewis LeConte in 1853. [8] | |||
Guy | 1843, 1849, 1852 | A Guy purchased by William Jones from estate of John S. Mell in 1832. Was 37 years old at the time. [2] | ||
Hagah [probably Hagar] | 1843, 1849, 1850, 1852, 1859 | A Hagar purchased by William Jones from William Foster’s estate in 1841 (not clear which Hagar of these she was) [1] A Hagah used as collateral on promissory note by William Jones to Mrs. Jane L. Harden in 1858. (not clear which Hagar of these she was) [10] | ||
Hagah (Little) | 1844, 1846, 1847 | |||
Hagah (Old) | 1843, 1846, 1850 | |||
A Hagar (not clear which one) belonging to W. Jones was excommunicated from Midway Church in 1831 and readmitted in 1848. | ||||
Hannah | Hannah bought at auction by William Jones from estate of Lewis LeConte in 1853. [8] | |||
Hannah | 1843, 1844, 1846, 1847, 1849, 1850, 1852, 1855, 1858 | A Hannah purchased by William Jones from William Hughes in 1834 [4] | Hannah, belonging to William Jones, was admitted to membership in the Midway Church on February 16, 1850. | |
Jack | 1843, 1844, 1846, 1847, 1849, 1850, 1852, 1855, 1858 | |||
Jane | 1860 | John bought at auction by William Jones from estate of Lewis LeConte in 1853. [8] | ||
Jessee | 1852, 1855, 1858 | p. 90 “while your grandfather [William Jones] was still in bed, one of his negro men, Jesse, who had begun work late in the season and who therefore had not earned as large a share of the crop as the others, became very angry and went to Savannah and reported your grandfather to the Freedman’s Bureau established there.” [Says brother Sam was taken because father was ill, and went to the Bureau where Jesse was given a hearing, and decision made against him, Jesse.] | ||
Jim | 1855, 1858 | |||
John | 1854, 1855, 1857, 1858, 1860 | John bought at auction by William Jones from estate of Lewis LeConte in 1853. [8] | ||
Judy | 1850, 1852, 1858 | |||
Julia | 1850, 1852, 1855, 1858 | |||
Julia Harden | 1859 | Used as collateral on promissory note by William Jones to Mrs. Jane L. Harden in 1858. [10] | ||
June | 1859 | Juno used as collateral on promissory note by William Jones to Mrs. Jane L. Harden in 1858. [10] | ||
Leah | 1844, 1847, 1850, 1852 | Two women named Leah purchased by William Jones from William Foster’s estate in 1841 [1] | Was a member of North Newport Baptist (now First African Baptist) in 1846. (could be Old Leah) | |
Leah Harden | 1859 | Leah used as collateral on promissory note by William Jones to Mrs. Jane L. Harden in 1858. [10] | ||
Leah (Old) | 1843, 1846, 1849, 1855, 1858 | |||
London | 1856, 1859 | |||
Louissa | A Louissa used as collateral on promissory note by William Jones to Mrs. Jane L. Harden in 1858. [10] | |||
Lydia | 1843, 1850, 1852, 1855, 1858 | A Lydia [not clear which one] purchased by William Jones from William Hughes in 1834 [4] | Was a member of North Newport Baptist (now First African Baptist) in 1846. | |
Lydia (and her children) | 1846, 1849 | |||
Mag | 1859 | A Maggy used as collateral on promissory note by William Jones to Mrs. Jane L. Harden in 1858. [10] | ||
March | 1843, 1844, 1846, 1847, 1849, 1855, 1858 | |||
March (Big) | 1852 | |||
March (Little) | 1850 | |||
March | Peter, Sylva, Miley, Nelly and March inherited by William Jones from his father’s widow, Mrs. Mary Jones, in 1846. [9] | |||
March | March bought at auction by William Jones from estate of Lewis LeConte in 1853. [8] | |||
A March belonging to William Jones admitted to membership in the Midway Church on May 15, 1853. Suspended and possibly excommunicated for relationship with Elizabeth belonging to J.B. Mallard in 1857. Restored to membership in November 1863. | ||||
Maria (and her children) | 1843, 1846, 1849 (spelled Mariah in 1849) | A Mariah purchased by William Jones from William Hughes in 1834 [4] | Attending Midway Church in 1846. A Mariah, belonging to William Jones, was mentioned in Midway Church records in 1848, 1849, 1850, 1851. | |
Maria | 1852 | |||
Martha | 1843, 1852 | |||
Mary | 1843 | |||
May | 1858 | |||
Matty | 1855, 1858 | |||
Miley | 1850, 1851, 1852, 1853, 1856, 1859 | A Miley purchased by William Jones from William Hughes in 1834 [4] Peter, Sylva, Miley, Nelly and March inherited by William Jones from his father’s widow, Mrs. Mary Jones, in 1846. [9] | ||
Molly (and her children) | 1843, 1846, 1849 | |||
Molly | 1850, 1852, 1855, 1858 | |||
Molly (Little) | 1852 | |||
Moses | 1843, 1844, 1846, 1847, 1849, 1850, 1852, 1855, 1858 | |||
Nella | 1855, 1858 | |||
Nelly | 1848, 1851, 1854, 1857, 1860 | p. 16 “She [Mary Way Jones, widow of Samuel Jones] left Mother as a present, her faithful servant Nellie, whom she had raised from a little girl and whom she had taught to be a beautiful seamstress. She was an excellent Christian woman and remained in our family until she was emancipated.” [Mary Way Jones said to have died in November 1845.] [See also “Phyllis (Old),” named as Nelly’s mother] [See also “Feedee,” named as Nelly’s sister] p. 42 Before Cornelia’s marriage in 1853, the seamstress Nellie made her “as many articles of underthings as I needed, all by hand. The other dresses were made at home too by this faithful servant, superintended by Mother and Sister.” p. 52 In 1856, after Cornelia’s first child was born, “Mother brought Nellie to wait on me and also good things from the country, and also brought a little maid named Fannie to leave with me, thinking I would need more help now.” p. 80 Mention of Nellie, “our faithful seamstress,” in early 1865. | Peter, Sylva, Miley, Nelly and March inherited by William Jones from his father’s widow, Mrs. Mary Jones, in 1846. [9] | Was a member of North Newport Baptist (now First African Baptist) in 1846. |
Paul | 1845, 1848, 1850, 1851, 1854, 1857, 1860 | p. 9 “After Brother and Sister went off to school, Brother to Franklin College in January, 1843, and Sister to a private school in Macon in 1845, I had to go to school alone. My mother used to send a negro boy Paul, about my own age, the son of our cook Mum Phyllis, with me to take my bucket of lunch and to “keep the cows off” as she used to say. P. 80-1 “The negroes said Paul (the boy who used to go to school with me) had your father’s watch and chain, and as he had been shot and killed on the Darien road, I never recovered it.” | Mary Jones gave to her son William Jones a tract of land and four people: Phillis, Chloe, Rosannah & Paul in 1836. [5] | |
Peggy | 1855, 1858 | |||
Peter | 1849, 1852, 1855, 1858 | p. 80-1 Mention of Cornelia’s father having had “one man, the most faithful and honest, he though, except Peter” help him bury some valuables. | Peter, Sylva, Miley, Nelly and March inherited by William Jones from his father’s widow, Mrs. Mary Jones, in 1846. [9] | Was a member of North Newport Baptist (now First African Baptist) in 1846. |
Peter Lambright | 1846, 1850, 1853, 1856, 1859 | p. 81 “Lambright, the carriage-driver, brought back the hat box (a small trunk) that I had intrusted to him and some saddles of Father’s and Peter brought back when had been intrusted to him and Andrew, one of Captain Screven’s servants, brought back the trunk Sister had given him to hide.” | ||
Peter (Big) | 1843, 1846 | |||
Peter (Little) | 1843, 1844, 1846, 1847 | |||
Phillis (Old Phillis & her family) | 1842 | |||
Phillis (Old) | 1845, 1848, 1851, 1854, 1857, 1860 | p. 17 “The first cook I remember was “Mum Phyllis,” Nellie’s mother. She cooked for twenty-five years until her death in 1863 before she was freed. She was a very fine cook. She baked my wedding cakes that were made at home and was a splendid meat cook.” | Mary Jones gave to her son William Jones a tract of land and four people: Phillis, Chloe, Rosannah & Paul in 1836. [5] | Was a member of North Newport Baptist (now First African Baptist) in 1846. |
Phillis Harden | 1859 | A Phyllis bought at auction by William Jones from estate of Lewis LeConte in 1853. [8] A Phyllis used as collateral on promissory note by William Jones to Mrs. Jane L. Harden in 1858. [10] | ||
Polly | 1860 | Polly bought at auction by William Jones from estate of Lewis LeConte in 1853. [8] | ||
Prince | 1852, 1858 | |||
Rachel | 1855, 1858 | Two Rachels bought at auction by William Jones from estate of Lewis LeConte in 1853. [8] | ||
Raymond | [not named] | p. 77 “…one day a negro man named Raymond, who had married one of Father’s negro women and who did not live on the plantation, brought us a fat hen nicely baked.” | ||
Recca [alt: Rakey] | Recca bought at auction by William Jones from estate of Lewis LeConte in 1853. [8] | |||
Rosanna | 1850, 1854, 1857, 1860 | Mary Jones gave to her son William Jones a tract of land and four people: Phillis, Chloe, Rosannah & Paul in 1836. [Not clear whether this is this Rosannah or if she was known as Rose] [5] | ||
Rose | 1843, 1850 | A Rose belonging to William Jones (not clear which one) was a member of North Newport Baptist (now First African Baptist) in 1846. | ||
Rose (Little/Young) | 1845, 1848, 1851 | |||
Rose (Old/Big) | 1846, 1849, 1850, 1852 | |||
Rose LeConte (Old) | 1853, 1856, 1859 | Rose bought at auction by William Jones from estate of Lewis LeConte in 1853. [8] | ||
Sam | 1843, 1844, 1847 | A Sam purchased by William Jones from William Foster’s estate in 1841 [1] | ||
Sambo | 1843, 1844, 1846, 1847, 1849, 1850, 1852 | Sambo and Sary sold to William Jones in 1840 after being seized from Washington Winn due to foreclosure and sold at auction. [7] | ||
Sandy | 1852 | |||
Sandy (Old) | 1843, 1846, 1849 | Inherited by William Jones’ wife from her mother Elizabeth Robarts, in 1827, who had inherited him from her husband, John Robarts, in 1826 [12] | Midway Church (“Sandy Senior”) [NOTE: Sandy, belonging to William Jones, was attending Midway Church in 1846. Sandy, belonging to John Robarts, was received into the Midway Church on February 23, 1805. Sandy, belonging to William Jones, was readmitted to the church in 1830 after excommunication. He was mentioned in Midway Church reocrds in 1830, 1834, 1835, and 1839. | |
Sarah | 1843, 1850, 1852, 1855, 1858 | |||
Sarah (& her child) | 1846 | |||
Sarah (& her children) | 1849 | |||
A Sarah (not clear which one) belonging to William Jones was received into membership in the Midway Church in 1849. | ||||
Sary | 1846 | Sambo and Sary sold to William Jones in 1840 after being seized from Washington Winn due to foreclosure and sold at auction. [7] | ||
Simon Way | 1855 | |||
Simon | 1858 | |||
Stephen | 1850, 1852, 1855, 1858 | |||
Stephen | Stephen bought at auction by William Jones from estate of Lewis LeConte in 1853. [8] | |||
Stepney | 1849, 1850, 1852, 1855, 1858 | |||
Stepney (Little) | 1843, 1846 | |||
Stepney (Old) | 1843, 1846 | An “Old Stepny” purchased by William Jones from William Foster’s estate in 1841 [1] | ||
Susan | 1852, 1855, 1858 | |||
Sylvia (Old) | 1847, 1850, 1853 | Peter, Sylva, Miley, Nelly and March inherited by William Jones from his father’s widow, Mrs. Mary Jones, in 1846. [9] | Was a member of North Newport Baptist (now First African Baptist) in 1846. | |
Sylvia | 1850 | |||
Tenah | 1843, 1844, 1846, 1847, 1849, 1850, 1852, 1855, 1858 | Was a member of North Newport Baptist (now First African Baptist) in 1846. | ||
Tinny | 1843, 1844, 1847, 1850, 1855, 1858 | |||
Titus | 1852, 1855, 1858 | p. 20 Coachman Titus mentioned again, around 1847. | ||
Tom | 1842, 1845, 1848 | |||
Toney | 1853, 1856, 1859 | Toney bought at auction by William Jones from estate of Lewis LeConte in 1853. [8] Tony used as collateral on promissory note by William Jones to Mrs. Jane L. Harden in 1858. [10] | ||
Toney (Little) | 1858 | |||
Willoby | 1852 | |||
Willoby (Old) | 1843, 1846, 1849, 1852 | p. 5 Brother Samuel John Jones born in January 1838. “When Sam and I were little children, Mother used to leave us at home at the plantation on very cold Sundays in the care of “Mum Willoughby,” a much-loved and trusted servant belonging to my father. A happy day we always had.” p. 6 “This woman [Mum Willoughby] was an honest, humble Christian and highly respected. I have often heard Father say he would trust anything he had in her care. She died in 1853, the summer I was married, mourned by us all. After she got too old to cook, Father put her in charge of the young negro children whose parents were at work in the fields. “ | Was a member of North Newport Baptist (now First African Baptist) in 1846. | |
Zetta | 1843, 1844, 1846, 1847, 1849, 1852, 1855, 1858 | |||
Zog | [not named] | p. 65 “Zog, the house boy, was daily churning, or beating rice in the yard.” (not clear when) | ||
Sources:
Jones, William, “Plantation Journal,” 1 January 1839-24 April 1858, available for sale as PDF on Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History website, item #GLC03703.
Pond, Cornelia Jones, “Recollections of a Southern Daughter: A Memoir,” edited by Lucinda H. MacKethan. The University of Georgia Press, Athens, Georgia, 1998. Memoirs as told to her daughter Anne in 1899 when Mrs. Pond was 65 years old.
Midway Congregational Church Records, digital images, FamilySearch.org (accessed 5/14/2020), quarterly session records, 1852-1867. Records abstracted into a spreadsheet at https://theyhadnames.net/midway-church-records/.
Jones, Charles Colcock, 1846 Census of African American Church Members in Liberty County’s 15th District, held in the Charles Colcock Jones papers, Louisiana Research Collection, Tulane University. Transcribed at: https://theyhadnames.net/1846-c-c-jones-census/.
Public family tree for William Jones, Ancestry.com, contained in “Liberty County African American Research (Tree) – TheyHadNames.net” created by Stacy Cole (ancestry username sashmore135).
Footnotes
[1] In 1835 William Jones bought ten enslaved people: Delilah, Sam, Leah, Amy, Tilla, Dinah, Hagar, Old Stepny & Leah, from William Foster’s estate: Family Search.org. Liberty County Superior Court “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” Film: Deeds & Mortgages, v. K-L 1831-1842,” Record Book K, 1831-1838, pp. 225. Image #153 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-T9L4-2?cat=292358) [Abstract available at https://theyhadnames.net/2021/04/08/bill-of-sale-foster-jones/]
[2] 1832 William Jones bought Guy from estate of John S. Mell:
Family Search.org. Liberty County Superior Court “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” Film: Deeds & Mortgages, v. K-L 1831-1842,” Record Book K, 1831-1838, p. 28. Image #49 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-T9K3-1?i=48&cat=292358) [Abstract available at https://theyhadnames.net/2021/03/08/bill-of-sale-walthour-jones/]
[3] On January 4, 1841, William Elliott Way Quarterman, executor of the estate of John S. Quarterman, sold to William Jones “a certain Negro Boy by the name of Cudjoe” for $700. Quarterman had applied to the Liberty County Inferior Court, sitting as a Court of Ordinary, for permission to sell Cudjoe for the benefit of the estate. Having received permission, he advertised him for sale, and put him up for public sale at Hinesville on January 4, 1841. William Jones was the highest bidder. Witnessed by C. Hines, E. Way, Clerk. Recorded on January 12, 1841, by E. Way, Clerk. Source: Family Search.org. Liberty County Superior Court “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” Film: Deeds & Mortgages, v. K-L 1831-1842,” Record Book L, 1838-1842, pp. 253. Image #455 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-T9LW-V?i=454&cat=292358) [Abstract available at https://theyhadnames.net/2020/03/24/bill-of-sale-quarterman-jones/]
[4] In 1834, William Hughes sold to William Jones: Big Affy, Ishmael, Miley, Lydia, Hannah, Mariah, Edmond, Dianna & Morris (?) for $2400. Source: Family Search.org. Liberty County Superior Court “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” Film: Deeds & Mortgages, v. K-L 1831-1842,” Record Book K, 1831-1838, pp. 445. Image #275 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-T9VL-6?cat=292358)
[5] In 1836, Mary Jones gave to son William Jones a tract of land and four people: Phillis, Chloe, Rosannah & Paul. Source: Family Search.org. Liberty County Superior Court “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” Film: Deeds & Mortgages, v. K-L 1831-1842,” Record Book K, 1831-1838, pp. 445. Image #275 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-T9VL-6?cat=292358)
[6] On March 16, 1841, Oliver Stevens released from a mortgage dated August 8, 1836 that he held against Wm. [William] Hughes as the administrator for U. Wilcox “the Negro woman named Bell and her child named Cate who was born since the date of said note but is included as the future issue of said woman Bell.” This deed specified that “six negroes” had been the collateral used on the original mortgage, which was said to have been recorded in Book K, p. 338, on September 12, 1836. This deed recorded on April 18, 1841, by E. Way, Clerk.
In the next recorded deed, on March 15, 1841, William Hughes sold to William Jones for $450 “a certain negro woman named Bell and her child Cate…” Witnessed by Oliver Stevens. Recorded on April 18, 1841, by Edward Way, Clerk. Source: Family Search.org. Liberty County Superior Court “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” Film: Deeds & Mortgages, v. K-L 1831-1842,” Record Book L, 1838-1842, pp. 267-8. Image #462-3 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-T92V-3?i=461&cat=292358)
[7] On April 7, 1840, John Girardeau, Sheriff of Liberty County, executed a sale to William Jones for $900 of “two certain Slaves, named Sambo and Sary…” Girardeau had seized Sambo and Sary from their owner, Washington Winn, after Aaron Champion had foreclosed on a mortgage he held against Winn, and had put them up for sale at the Hinesville Courthouse on April 7, 1840. Jones had been the highest bidder. No witnesses listed. Recorded on April 11, 1840, by E. Way, Clerk.
Source: Family Search.org. Liberty County Superior Court “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” Film: Deeds & Mortgages, v. K-L 1831-1842,” Record Book L, 1838-1842, pp. 207. Image #432 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-T9L3-K?i=431&cat=292358))
[8] On March 23, 1853, Thomas C. Nisbet, administrator of the estate of Lewis LeConte, sold to William Jones for “the following negro slaves viz. John Recca [alt: Rakey or Raka], Frank, Jane, Phillis, Polly Fanny Rachel, Bess Toney Gilbert, Grace, March, Neigher (?), Ginny, Galbo, Lizza Rose Stephen, Cretia Hannah, Bristol and Rachel “for the benefit of said Estate, and that the said Ordinary did grant leave to sell said negro slaves above named and that the said negro Slaves were after being duly advertised and exposed to public sale at Hinesville in Liberty County on the first day of March Eighteen hundred and fifty three and said negro Slaves were knocked off to William Jones for the sum of Ten thousand three hundred and thirty nine dollars which was the highest and best bid that was made…” [NOTE: The name of the deceased was variously spelled Lewis and Louis.] Witnessed by Amos Benton J.P., G.R. Baker, Henry Clark, Henry W. Tindall. Recorded on April 22, 1853.
Source: Family Search.org. Liberty County Superior Court “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” Film: Deeds & Mortgages, v. M-N 1842-1854,” Record Book N, pp. 539. Image #696 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-53V8?i=695&cat=292358)
[9] William’s father Samuel Jones left everything in his will to his wife Mary, who died in 1845 and left the estate divided between William Jones and brother Moses L. Jones. Mary Jones’ will: “Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990,” images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-893L-GHZ1?cc=1999178&wc=9SYT-PT5%3A267679901%2C268032901 : 20 May 2014), Liberty > Wills, appraisements and bonds 1790-1850 vol B > image 634 of 689; county probate courthouses, Georgia.
On January 5, 1846, Wm. [William] Jones and M.L. Jones agreed to divide the “negro slaves of the said Mrs. Mary Jones” according to her will as follows: The said William Jones is to have and own the following named negroes viz. Peter, Sylva [alt: Sylvia?], Miley [alt: Milly?], Nelly and March as his portion to be his, and the said M.L. Jones doth by these presents relinquish all claim to the above named negroes to the said W. Jones.” M.L. Jones was to “have and own the following named negro slaves of the estate of the said Mrs. Mary Jones…viz Charles, Morris, Sawney Bob, Juda [alt: Judy?] and her two children Stafford and Malbro [alt: Marlborough, Malborough]..” M.L. Jones paid to Wm. Jones $200 to equalize the lots. Witnessed by Jas. S. McCullough, T.W. Quarterman, J.P. Recorded on January 17, 1846, by J.S. Bradwell, Clerk. Source: Family Search.org. Liberty County Superior Court “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” Film: Deeds & Mortgages, v. M-N 1842-1854,” Record Book M, pp. 403-4. Image #242-3 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-53JH?cat=292358) [Abstract available at https://theyhadnames.net/2019/11/26/estate-division-jones-jones/]
[10] On January 29, 1858, William Jones, Liberty County, used as collateral on a promissory note of $6500 to Mrs. Jane L. Harden “the following negro slaves with the issue of the females viz. Dick, Julia, Phillis, Bess, Maggy, Elsy, Clarrissa [alt: Clarissa], Louissa [alt: Louisa] Fanny Bella Hagah [Hagar?] George Juno Agrippa Leah and Tony.” Witnessed by John A. Thomas, Jas. J. O’Byrne, A.C. Dunham, S.W. Broughton. Probated by Sam’l W. Broughton. Recorded on July 7, 1858, by S.A. Fraser, Clerk. [NOTE: Written on this deed was “Satisfied in full. Jane L. C. Harden Admx. Entered this 18th April 1860. Jesse Brewer, Clerk.”] Source: Family Search.org. Liberty County Superior Court “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” Film: Deeds & Mortgages, v. O-P 1854-1870,” Record Book O, p 397-8. Image #245-6. (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-RSRZ-F?i=244&cat=292358)
[11]On April 25, 1836, William Hughes, Liberty County, used as collateral on a promissory note of $764 to Uriah Wilcox, Liberty County, “a certain female slave named Bell and her five children Sam, Henry, Mary, March, & Prince, together with the future issue and increase of the females.” Witnessed by William B. Fleming, J.I.C.L.C. Recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on April 26, 1836. Source: Family Search.org. Liberty County Superior Court “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” Film: Deeds & Mortgages, v. K-L 1831-1842,” Record Book K, 1831-1838, pp. 314-5. Image #208-9 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-T9LM-P?i=207&cat=292358)
Deed Records involving land
In 1819, John and Martha Elliott sold for $4000 to Samuel Jones Sr several tracts of land: Fair Lawn [Fairlawn], Rural Felicity and Butler’s Tract, near Riceboro, about 1100 acres. Source: Liberty County Superior Court, “Deeds & Mortgages v. H 1816-1822,” p. 201; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. H-I 1816-1831” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” image #130, accessed at: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS42-SSTK-9?cat=292358)
In 1830, William Jones, Liberty County, and Robert P. Burton, Chatham County, agreed to a division of a 962-acre tract of land in Liberty County they held as tenants in common. A judge ordered a group of men to divide the tract into unequal portions: 5/12 for William Jones and 7/12 for Robert P. Burton. Jones received the northwestern part, lot #2, and 1/4 of lot #3, for a total of 401 acres.
Source: Liberty County Superior Court, “Deeds & Mortgages v. I 1822-1831 ” p. 436-9; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. H-I 1816-1831” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” image #397, accessed at: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-RSPF-C?i=396&cat=292358)
In 1831, William Jones sold to Louis LeConte for $95 two small tracts of land on the Bulltown Swamp. Source: Liberty County Superior Court, “Deeds & Mortgages v. I 1822-1831 ” p. 445-6; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. H-I 1816-1831” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” image #530, accessed at: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS42-SSTD-W?cat=292358)
In 1831, William J and Mary J. Jones, his wife, sold to Samuel J. Cassels and Thomas Q. Cassels, of Richmond County, for $500 a tract of land in Liberty County that William and Mary Jones had inherited from the estate of John Robarts, 401 acres known as Goshen, bounded on the north by Thomas Shepard’s estate, west by Thomas Shepard’s estate and Charlton Hines, and on all other sides by land belonging to R.P. Burton. Source: Family Search.org. Liberty County Superior Court “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” Film: Deeds & Mortgages, v. K-L 1831-1842,” Record Book K, 1831-1838, pp. 14-5. Image #42 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-T924-J?i=41&cat=292358)
In 1833, Thomas J. Shepard and Serena Shepard sold to William Jones a tract of land she had inherited from John Way, the Fairlawn plantation. Source: Liberty County Superior Court, “Deeds & Mortgages v. K 1831-1838,” p. 156; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. H-I 1816-1831” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” image #119, accessed at: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-T9LH-W?mode=g&cat=292358.)
In 1836, Mary Jones gave to son William Jones a tract of land and four people: Phillis, Chloe, Rosannah & Paul. Source: Family Search.org. Liberty County Superior Court “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” Film: Deeds & Mortgages, v. K-L 1831-1842,” Record Book K, 1831-1838, pp. 445. Image #275 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-T9VL-6?cat=292358)
In 1836, Gideon B. Dean sold to William Jones a tract of land he previously bought that same year from David A. Miller. Miller described it as the plantation known as Navarre, in Liberty County, bounded on the north by land belonging to Major Woods and Maj. J.S. Bulloch, east by land belonging to William Jones, south by land of L. LeConte, and est by S.S. Hart. Source: Family Search.org. Liberty County Superior Court “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” Film: Deeds & Mortgages, v. K-L 1831-1842,” Record Book K, 1831-1838, pp. 339. Image #221 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-T924-P?cat=292358)
In 1860, William Jones bought from the heirs of William LeConte the Cedar Hill plantation LeConte had previously owned, which was said to border William Jones’ land. The heirs were Sarah Ophelia LeConte Stone (married to Frank H. Stone of Bibb County), James E. LeConte, and Anna LeConte Anderson (married to Clifford Anderson of Bibb County). Liberty County Superior Court “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” Film: Deeds & Mortgages, v. O-P 1854-1870,” Record Book K, P 1860-1870, pp. 50-53. Image #397-8 (Link: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-RSPF-C?i=396&cat=292358)