Martin William Jones, Sr.

Birth: Aug. 4, 1784 North Carolina, USA Death: Aug. 8, 1879 Texas, USA

Martin William Jones is the son of Ethelred Apjones (disputed) who immigrated from Wales about 1760. Martin's mother is unknown, however she may have been a Rigg's (disputed).

Martin is a veteran of The War of 1812.

Martin Married Rhoda Hodges (1791-1861) 10 Jul 1804 in Tennessee. They had 12 Children: John Hodges "Jack" Jones 1805–1864 Clisby Riggs "Tibb" Jones 1808–1890 Jesse Riggs Jones 1810–1848 Mary Elizabeth "Marbie" Jones Brashears 1813–1860 Enoch Calvin Jones 1816–1886 Martin William "Bill" Jones Jr 1818–1864 Phetna Mariah Jones Burks 1820–1845 Jasper Hamilton "Hamp" Jones 1823–1872 Franklin Crawford Jones 1826–1882 William Marion Jones 1828–1887 Calaway Taylor "Cal" Jones 1831–1874 Rhoda Ann Elizabeth Jones Windham 1839–1866

Eight of the children were born in Tennessee, two in Alabama and two in Arkansas.

Martin was instrumental in the beginnings of White County Arkansas. Martin and most of his family, moved from Arkansas to Texas about 1840. Two of his sons moved back to Arkansas a few years later, but most stayed in Texas. They created a town in Angelina County called Jonesville. Jonesville for a time was the county seat, but the only thing left of the settlement is an historical marker and Jonesville Cemetery, where many of the family are buried. Martin's house in Jonesville burned about a year before he died. He spent the last days of his life in the home of one of his former slaves.

Family links:

Spouse:

 Rhoda Hodges Jones (1791 - 1861)

Children:

 Clisby Riggs Jones (1808 - 1890)*

 Mary Elizabeth Maribe Jones Brashears (1813 - ____)*

 Martin William Jones (1818 - 1864)*

• Calculated relationship

Burial: Jonesville Cemetery Huntington Angelina County Texas, USA

Created by: KeithHH Record added: Sep 04, 2012 Find A Grave Memorial# 96523161 http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=96523161

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Our Apjones' Ancestors may have come to America from Wales, sometime in the 1700's. After coming to America, they changed their surname by dropping the "Ap". The now Jones', possibly landed in Virginia and headed to North Carolina. We know, but needs further research that Rhoda (who we believe that her mother was a descendant of Edward Riggs), Edward Riggs who had a son Clisby Riggs that ran a still in Jefferson Co., Tennessee who sold his liquor to Davy Crocketts father. Edward had a brother named Timothy Riggs and one named Samuel Riggs. Edward had a son named Samuel who was the father of Dr. Clisby D. Riggs of Jefferson Co., Tennessee. Our family believes there is a definite connection to this line. This is my opinion at this time, but it could be that Gobbler's mother was a Riggs. We first find our ancestor Martin William Jones Sr. in Tennessee. This is where he married our Rhoda Hodges on 12 of July 1804, Lic. # 543, in Dandridge, Jefferson Co., TN. To this union were born nine sons and three daughters, all living to maturity. At this time, very little is known of Rhoda or her family. We do know where she was buried but her grave is now lost in the Jonesville Cemetery. In 1804 Martin and Rhoda were living in Jefferson Co., TN. in the location that they were married. In 1806, while still in Jefferson, Martin had purchased either land or something at the sell from the Widow Sarah Witt Estate (Jefferson Co., Tn. marriages- Witt, Elijah Spouse: Bottom, Sarah Marriage Date: 26 Dec 1797). Between 1812 and 1813, they were in Lincoln Co., TN. when Martin volunteered for service in the War of 1812 on 24th of Sept. 1813. He served with the Regiment of Calvary and mounted Gunmen, TN. Volunteers, under Col. John Coffee and Capt. William Locke. After serving his enlistment he was honorably discharged at Fayetteville, TN. As the War continued, he volunteered a second time and served under Maj. William Russell, Capt. James Wyatt, and Col. James Allwine. He was honorably discharged again, this time at Ditto's Landing and had to travel 200 miles to Murfreesboro, TN. and home. By 1820, they had moved to Jackson Co., TN. and while living there, they had six of their sons and two or three of their daughters. Between 1823 and 1826 they had moved to Paint Rock, on the Paint Rock River in Jackson Co., Alabama which is a little east of Huntsville, Alabama. (Martin resided on the land that was the Pre-emption Act of 1830 which you were required to work and improve the land so that he could purchase the land for $1.25 acre. He had purchased 80.02 acres in the w 1/2 of nw 1/4 of section 2 on 29 Sept 1830, certificate # 3260). They probably travelled along the " Old Beau Trace ". A blazed trail from Eastern TN. to Chickasaw Bluff ( now Memphis) where they crossed the Mississippi River on a log raft in Arkansas Territory, and up the White River to Bull Creek, a rich and fertile valley. Veering a little to the left somewhat towards Little Rock from the Old Beau Trace, which went as far as Batesville, Arkansas. They founded the town of Royal Colony on the headwaters of Bull Creek which is about where El Paso, Arkansas is. They were accompanied by eight other families. One of which was James Walker and his family. Martin and James founded the town. Martin and at least eight of his children were landowners in White and Pulaski Counties, Arkansas. When Arkansas became a state in 1835, and White Co. was organized, Martin William Jones became it's first Representative to Little Rock, White Co., Arkansas. Serving between 1835-1836 and 1837-1838. Also found on the 1840 White Co., Arkansas Census was a Barnabas Jones and a Stephen Jones. I don't know the kinship at this time.

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• Military service: 1812 - War of 1812
  • Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Jul 29 2020, 14:52:51 UTC

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Veteran of War of 1812 Founder of Jonesville, TX