This document was sent to me by Patty Woodall. She resides in the area that Drury, James, and Thomas Jones got their reservations according to the treaty of 1817. All Jones researchers are very indebted to Patty for this new information. Documents give us a glimpse of a family long deceased.
Patty, you have our heartfelt thanks!!!
Reference Data to this Document
Microfilm M-574, Rolls #32, Frames 577-582 which is found in Record Group 75, National Archives, Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Bureau of Indian Affairs. National Archives. Washington, D.C. M-574, Roll #32, Frames 577-582. Special File 155, Reservation Claim of the heirs of Elizabeth and Thomas Jones, 1 April 1845.
Message from Patty Woodall
All these claims were made in the late 1830's until mid 1840's from provisions made in the Treaty of 1835/1836 before the First through Fourth Board of Commissioners.
Looks like the claims was deposed in Pulaski Co, AR. That just means the deposition was taken in that county not that it was filed in the courts of that county. These depositions were taken and then filed with the Cherokee Board of Commissioners, which started out meeting in the East for the first one or two Boards and then moved to the West for the remainder.
As you will notice there is NO MENTION of a William Jones. I had thought the William Jones who took a reservation very near Thomas Jones was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth Jones. The deed in 1829 when Thomas Jones sold to William D. Gains, William Jones is not mentioned. In fact, Washington and Thomas Jones are not mentioned either but I expect they were dead by this time. The daughters were not mentioned either.
I think I've seen some documents that state that William Jones was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth Jones but these documents were written at much later dates and I think had to do with proving Cherokee citizenship. So, it makes me wonder if these later documents are accurate in all respects. At the moment, I cannot find a one of them to be more specific.
Now, this leads me to wondering exactly who William Jones was. Do you have any ideas?
Thanks.
Patty Woodall
ELIZABETH JONES CASE
PROOF OF CHARACTER OF WITNESSES
DATED JULY 6, 1845
STATE OF ARKANSAS
COUNTY OF PULASKI
We the undersigned members of the Arkansas State Legislature do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joel D. Mitchell, citizen of this State and a witness in the case of Elizabeth Jones vs The United States. Now, pending before the U. S. Commission for the adjustment of claims growing out of treaties with the Cherokee Indians and we know him to be a man of truth of good moral character and his statements under oath may be fully relied upon.
Witness for Claimant (?)
July 6, 1845 at Little Rock, AR
Sworn and Subscribed to
July 6, 1845
(?)U. S. District
State of Arkansas
Martin Tackett
Thomas Clark
G. W. Sanders Jr.
B. Johnson, Judge
End of this document!
RESERVATION CLAIM OF THOMAS AND ELIZABETH JONES
STATEMENT OF DRURY JONES
In the claim of the children and heirs of Elizabeth Jones for whom a reservation was taken by her husband, Thomas Jones, on the Tennessee River, under the Treaty of 1817, as per Register of Reservations NO 58 and forfeited by David Jones, administrator.
Drury Jones appears before the Commission this 1st day of April in 1845 and being justified as one of the children of the reservee makes the following statement:
The reservation entered by my Father for my Mother, Elizabeth, was in Jackson County, Alabama on Jones Creek near Kings Cove on lands ceded by treaty of 1817. My Father was a white man and my Mother wasnative Cherokee. My Mother and her family had been living on the place, which was afterwards entered for the Reservation, three or four years before the Treaty of 1817. The place had been improved some before Mother and Father moved there, but the owner, Bill Brown had abandoned it and it was the custom in those times for any person to take possession of an abandoned place.
My Mother had 7 children at the time of the Treaty. Five of them lived with her. The other two--James and myself--were both married at the time of the Treaty and settled to ourselves. I lived two and a half miles from my Mother's place. Several years after the Treaty--can't name exactly how many--there were several White men--Hamilton King, John Kellyson (?), M. (?) Smith, Tom Gunter, Bill Gunter, and Charles Reed, and some others (all living within the neighborhood) were in the habit of coming to my Mother's house and tormenting her in every way they could device and invariabley at night and would stone the house. In some instances, (they) broke in the doors and windows with heavy rocks. One time, the door being broken in, a stone was thrown that struck my Father upon the face and broke his jaw bone. At another time, they threw the grindstone dwon the chimney. The attacks were very frequent, sometimes twice or three times a week, and becoming more harrassing and frequent everyday. Father came to the conclusion that it was unprofitable for them to live on the Reservation and he and Mother, very reluctately, left it, and moved to the Cherokee Nation, which was 5 or 6 miles distant.
Don't recollect whether my parents ever lost any property by it eing stolen by the whites. About 2 years after he left the Reservation, Father died, when absent from home on a visit in the Chickasaw Nation. My mother continued to live on the Reservation until she immigrated to this country in the year of 1831 (i) and died six years ago next August.
My Mother had all together TEN children:
1. James
2. Drury
3. John
4. Polly
5. Betsy
6. Ruben
7. Washington
8. Sally
9. David
10. Thomas
Of these, Ruben, Washington, Sally, and Thomas died young without issue. Polly is the only child dead that has left issue. She left three children:
Cynthia
Elizabeth
John
Polly was married to Richard Blevins who is also dead. Their heirs live in Carroll County, Arkansas.
The living children of the reservess--David, and Drury--reside in Delaware District of this Nation. James, Betsy, and John live in Carroll County, Arkansas.
When my Mother and Father left the Reservation, it was taken possession of my Hamilton King, one of the White men who had been worrying them so long.
This statement made before me, the (?might say despondent) being fully questioned.
John T. Mason
End of Document
WHAT WE KNOW FROM THIS DOCUMENT
WRITTEN BY BETTY RENFROE
Drury Jones was alive in 1845.
Elizabeth Jones died in August of 1839.
Elizabeth Jones moved to Arkansas.
Richard Blevins is dead by 1845.
It leads us to believed that Polly Jones was his wife before Betsy.
Richard and Polly children were Cynthia, Elizabeth, and John Blevins.
Betsy Jones Blevins is alive in 1845.
Drury, David, James, and John Jones are alive in 1845.
John and James Jones and Betsy Blevins live in Carroll County, AR in1845. Newton County is part of Carroll in 1845.
Drury and David Jones live in Delaware District of the Cherokee Nation.
Elizabeth Jones had 10 children: James, Drury, John, Polly, Betsy, Ruben, Washington, Sally, David, and Thomas. We actually do not know if all were children of Thomas Jones Sr. They appear to be listed in order of birth.
William Jones was not a child of Elizabeth Jones. The only connection we have found is his name is listed with the Thomas Jones names and his Reservation is next to theirs. He may be
a brother to Thomas Jones, who also has a Cherokee wife. He may be the son of Thomas Jones by a different Cherokee wife. He does seem to be related to this Jones family. Perhaps, a half brother or uncle?
Thomas Jones@ Rootsweb
Contact Betty