JONES GENERATION TWO

3. Thomas2 Jones, (WilliamA-1 Jones), b abt. 1665 Accomack Co., VA;d abt 1695/6 Sussex Co. PA (DE) m bet 25 January 1689/90 & September 1690. Thomas probably moved to Sussex County in 1680 with his mother, Ruth, and his stepfather, Richard Bundick. At this time Sussex County was under the control of the Duke of York; later he was to be King James 11 of England. In 1682 the Duke of York conveyed the three counties on the Delaware to William Penn. This action made them a part of Pennsylvania until 1769 when they set up their own assembly. When Thomas moved to Sussex County the area was a relatively unsettled pioneer area, subject to raids by pirates, and it was in dispute between Maryland and Pennsylvania for control. Sussex County in 1688 only had 88 individuals on the rent rolls, and in the forests roamed deer, wolves, and other wild animals. Because the wolves were such a threat to the livestock of the settlers a bounty was paid by the county court for each wolf killed. The area also had a plentiful supply of waterfowl, and even today is a nesting area for ducks and geese. After 1685 the pirates Avery, Blackbeard, Canoot, Kidd, and others brought terror to the settlers when they anchored offshore, or plundered onshore. They were such a threat that the county court appointed men to watch for pirates, and to give warning when they were spotted. Another danger was from Maryland, as Lord Baltimore claimed the land, and his agents seized and imprisoned landowners, and collected taxes at gunpoint. To survive under these conditions required individuals with strong personalities. From the court records we can see that Thomas had a strong personality in that he was likable, loyal to his friends, not afraid to stand up for what he believed in even when it opposed authority figures, not afraid to admit his mistakes, respected, strong willed, stubborn, and wanted his way. That he was likable is shown by the fact that individuals gave or willed him property. In 1675 George Watson deeded 300 acres of land on Long Love Branch of Parker's Creek in Accomack County, VA, to Thomas and his brother, John, the sons of Richard Bundick, Sr. and his wife, Ruth.8 This land is south of Gargatha, Virginia, and joined the northside of Richard Bundick's land. Thomas Fouck in his will in Accomack County on 10 September 1673 mentioned Thomas son of Ruth Bundick.4 Then in Sussex County Cornelius Verhoofe in his will, probated 9 January 1683/4 gave Thomas Jones alias Gulledge 1000 pounds of tobacco.16 Also Richard Bundick, his stepfather, sold Thomas and his brother, John, 400 acres of land on 9-10 November 1686, and at Richard's and Ruth's death they were to get the other 300 acres of "Arcadia" .17 William Kanning (Kenning, Kenney) liked Thomas so well that it caused William problems. On 7-8 June 1687 William petitioned the Court that the security he posted 12 months ago for his good behavior be released. I 8William had to post the security because "the Sheriff commanded him to aid and Assist to put Tho[mas] Jones in the stocks and the petitioner Refused, saying if it was to put the Sheriff in the stocks he would help." That he was strong willed, stubborn, willful, and would stand up for what he believed in is shown in several instances. In June 1685 he sued John Barker alleging "that Barker did fraudulently take & keep his mare, and he wanted benefit of the hundred fifty fourth Chapter in oure Law booke" .2 The Court found for Thomas and ordered the mare returned and Barker to pay two shillings for each day Barker keeps mare longer. Also in June 1685 he showed his strong will when:
"Thomas Jones misbehaving himselfe boldly & saucyly peremptily speaking in the hearing of the Court that he would take any horse and ride him a month or two, and other abusive words to the Court for which the Court ordered him to be committed till he gave security for his good behaviour, but upon his petition and promise of good behaviour for the time to come, the Court released him, he allsoe aknolledging his offence and abusive language to the Court.1121

Then 8-1 0 December 1685 he petitioned the Court because he was taxed for a horse that belonged to Henry Stretcher.22 Again at the 7-8 June 1687 session of the Court he got in trouble because of his loyalty to his friends, and his strong will:
"Thomas Jones hindred the Cunstable in following William Bradford and otherways affronted and abused the Court and Resisted the Cunstable, upon which the Court ordered the Cunstable and Sherriff to take him, the said Thomas Jones, and put him in the stocks/they commanded James Hardin to Aid and Assist and the said James Harding Refused and said he would not. Joshuah Barkstead Attested that John Millington said that they deserved to be thrasht that Carry talling Stories to the Court, he the said Joshuah having Just before told the Court something concerning the said Thomas Jones. Thomas Jones being at Henry Stretchers the Court sent the Sherriff and Cunstable for him and desired Justice Clifton and Justice Gray to goe along with the Sherriff and Cunstable to bring him to the Court, and Coming to the Court Justice Gray spoke to Thomas Jones and advized him to use better Language/Whereupon he impudently cursed him, saying God Damn you and all the Children thatever your Mother had of your Age, and the said Jones being brought to the Court, the Court told him of his Misdeamenour and told him he should suffer for it/he told the Court he questioned their power, soe the Court ordered the Sherriff & Cunstable to secure him and they Carryed or dragged him to the Smith shop wher they put Irons upon him, but he quickly got the Irons off and Escaped, he having before wounded severall persons legs with his spurrs that strived with him, and when they was goeing to put him in the Stocks before, that they put him in Irons, he kicked the Sherriff on the Mouth and was very unruly and abusive and soone got oute of the Stocks."
Ruth Bundick, Thomas Jones Mother asked the Court to forgive her son's misbehaver, but they did not agree. "23 "During the 4-6 October. 1687 term of the Court Thomas asked that his security be returned. The Court asked him to take the following oath:24

That Thomas was a landowner is well established from the previously mentioned records in which he inherited land at about the age of eleven from George Watson in Accomack County, Virginia., and the 700 acres in Sussex County he and John received from their stepfather. In Sussex County., PA(DE) he and John as Thomas Golledge and John Golledge received a grant of 600 acres of land called "Brothers Portion". This land was surveyed on 10 September 1681.29 The northwest comer of "Brothers Portion" was at the mouth of Herring Creek and the southern boundary was on Lingo Creek in what is the Long Neck area of Sussex County.(See Map 2) Thomas had some problems with William Burton trying to take part of this land, and on 29 November 1690 he filed a petition concerning this land with the Board of Property of the Province of Pennsylvania.
Upon the reading of the Petition of Thos.,Jones of Sussex County Setting forth that one Wm. Burton of Virginia, Obtained from Slr Edmond Andros a Patt. for one thousand acres of Land in the County aforesaid at a place Call the Long neck, after which, in the year 1677, [He] Obtained from the said Andros a grant for Six hundred acres adjoyning upon the said Burton's Land, and was Confirmed to him by the Proprietor, Wm. Penn, Esqr., by Pattent about Eight years since, and furth.er that the surveyor hath Resurveyed t Well to the said Burton as the petitioner, of which thou art not to faile " at thy Perrill. Givhe said tract of 1,000 acres without any Warrlt or order, as the Petitioner Supposes, and thereby with the bounds of the Resurvey hath included almost all the Six hundred acres of the Petitioner's aforesaid and that the whole as the Resurvey has been made amounts to above two thousand acres. The Commisslrs takeing into Consideration the great abuse Committed by the Surveyor of Sussex and Kent Countys (if the allegation of the petitio'r be true), Ordered that the Surveryor Doe forthwith Send the Commiss"rs a true and Exact Draught of the Land he Resurveyed for Wm Burton, Called the Long neck, with the true Quantity of the same in order to Doe Speedy Justice as Well to the said Burton as the petitioner, of which thou art not to faile at thy Perrill. Given asen at Philad's the 29th 9th Mo. 1690. The foregoing order was sent by the Petioner and Directed to Wm Clark, Surveyor, & c.30

We have seen from previously mentioned records that John and Thomas Jones were brothers. There is one other reference that shows their close relationship, and that is that on 5 March 1685, William Kenning, John Jones and Thomas Jones were witnesses to the marriage of John Tuxbury and Ellenor Richards.34 The last record we have found on Thomas was the 6 December 1694 sale of land to his brother, John.

We have no idea as to Bridget’s her maiden name. That she was a unique and strong minded woman there is no doubt. We can see this in what few records exist on her. She could sign her name in an age when probably only ten percent of the men could even sign their names, and her husbands normally signed with their mark. She buried four husbands, raised several children, and with one husband had him to sign a receipt for the property he borrowed from her. This in a period when a woman did not own property in her own right, and when she married any property she had became her husband's. There are only two records that indicate that Thomas married Bridget. In September 1690 Tho Jones & Brigit his wife had a court case against James Hemes.35 Then on 6 October 1691 Thomas Jones and Bridget his wife appeared in Court on the Acct of Andrew Depray, decd.36 This raises a question as to why they would be handling the estate of this man. A check of the wills of Sussex County shows that Andrew Depray made a will on 9 January _, and the will named wife Bridgett, sons Thomas & Andrew, daus Margaret & Elizabeth Depray, Exec'rx wife Bridgett Depray. The will was probated on 25 January 1689/90.37 Thomas was the administrator of the estate because when he married Bridget, by law he assumed her legal duties. Then on 13 Nov 1700 Joseph Aleefe made a will that was probated on 12 January 1700/01. In the will he mentions his wife, Bridgett, and her son, Ebenezer Jones. He also mentions his son, William, and daughter, Bridgett, and the child his wife is big with now. He left land in the Angola Neck area of Sussex Co. to his wife, Bridgett, and son, William.38 It is obvious from this will that Thomas Jones had a son, Ebenezer Jones. Between 12 January 1700/01 & 6 November 1702 Bridgett married as her fourth husband John Cary, as on 6 November 1702 Ann Williams made a claim against the Estate of Joseph Aleff in the presence of Bridgett Carey, Relict (widow) of said Ayliff.39 This case with another case against the estate was again before the Court on 3 May 1703 when John Carey & Bridgett His wife, Executrix of Joseph Ayleff, Deceased appeared in Court.40 On 10 May 1704 Bridgett signed a receipt from her husband, John Cary for 8 cows and calves, proven in Court IO February 1706/7.41 Then on 9 May 1707 John Cary and wife, Bridget, sold 10 acres of land to Wm Williamson of Accomack County, Virginia.42 On 6 February 1710/1 I Thomas Fisher Atty of Jane Ponder and Bridget Carey (deeded) to Roger Corbet 204 acres on head of Angola Neck and on southside of Long Love Branch.43 The deed index references this transaction as "Corbett, Roger from Jane Jones and others by Atty A285 1710.44 It appears obvious that in this transaction that Jane and Bridget, because they had been wives of John & Thomas Jones, deceased, were selling land that was owned by John & Thomas. Then on 7 May 1723 John Cary and Bridget, his wife, sold land in Angola Neck that intersected with Ayliff s line to Thomas Gray.45 John Cary on 15 September 1723, made his will, which was probated in 1726. In his will he left 200 acres to his son, Samuel; I 00 acres and water mill to son, Thomas; 150 acres in Angola Neck to son, William, and mentions his dau., Mary, and wife, Bridget.46 Witnesses to John's will were Ebenezer Jgnes, Phil Akie, and Abraham Inless(Inloss, Enloe). Child of Thomas Jones and Bridget ________:
4. (i) EBENEZER JONES b ca 1690-1694 Sussex Co., PA(DE) m Martha Kenney.

            
           
  EMAIL ME AT: dmj@dmitchelljones.org  If you are using earthlink and email me.  Please disable all blocks as I will not reply to blocked emails
  You are the         Visitor since 1 January 2001
   I hope you enjoyed your visit.  Let me know your opinion  of my site.