• Index to Colonial Records

Biographical Sketches of Colonials -J-

Jackson, Nathan, removed to Wilkes County, but had a tract of land on Uptons Creek near Wrightsborough, granted him by Sir James Wright on 7 February 1775, bounded by Peter Perkins, all other sides vacant, but he deeded the land to William Smith for 30 pounds.

Johnson, William, Sr., born 1757, died 1838 in Jones County. "He grew up among and was educated by the Quakers".

Jones, Cornelius came to Georgia in 1732 onboard the ship, Volanti, along with John Vanderplank, Samuel Grey and Chetwynd Furzer (Capt. Smyter), leaving Gravesend, and wrote a letter to the Trustees that they were embarking for the Georgia coast.

Jones, John, a manservant in June of 1735, came to Georgia with Joseph Smith, Ann, his wife, and Elizabeth, his daughter, aged 7 months. They were passengers on the Prince of Wales, with Capt. Dunbar.

Jones, Noble was christened June 20, 1702, London, the son of Edward and Januarye Jones. (St. Martin-Vintry, London) He Married Sarah Hook July 30, 1723 at the Lincolns Inn Chapel, Holborn, London. He set sail with General Oglethorpe, on November 6, 1732, arriving in Savannah on February 1, 1733. He was a physician and Carpenter, and became the first colonial surveyor. Noble Jones, very active in the politics of the Crown in Savannah, owned a plantation in Christ Church Parish, Wormslow, near Savannah, near the mouth of the Vernon River, on an island called Hope Island. Nearby, he had his own fort to prevent the poor people at Frederica from escaping to other places for bread. His son, Noble Wimberly Jones, owned 1800 acres of land fifteen miles from Rocky Comfort, in St. George's Parish, Burke Co. In his letter to the Trustees in London, dated 1735, Savannah, he wrote:

"...as Ranger I do my constant endeavor to prevent any depredation being committed in any part of the province, particularly the cutting down Cypress and Live Oak trees, I have twice been to the southernmost parts of the province, the first time upon an alarm with about fifty men (all volunteers except the Scout boat), the pains of which voyage for fear, a first account should come to your hands, I will send by the next, the second time was with Capt. Dunbar who, I don't doubt has informed you therefor befoe now. We have an account of some Yamassee Indians (supposed to be the same that killed Tomochachis people), are now scalking about Ft. Argyle on that river. I therefore set out tomorrow with Mr. Spangenberg to run out Count Zinzendorfes land (I having cleared abouve 3 acres of his own garden lot), at the same to see if we can come up with the strollers articular duty to be first out on those occasions. I have run Sir Francis Bathurst 200 acres by his direction and Sir Francis has made large improvement thereon considering he has lost by death two of this three servants ...I have had bad success with servants, the old man continued sick from the time I first had him til his death, so that with him dying, I now left but two and those have been sick and area always in some contrivance, they have robbed me and others and runaway, but I have them both now, but am forced to keep one of them with a chain in his leg.....Noble Jones".

In 1738, from William Stephens Journal: "10 April 1738 Monday...The two Constables Jones and Fallowfield (which was all we had) came early to town on the present occasion from their distant plantations and took breakfast with me, conferring on the affair they came about; which was more immediate to look into the condition of the arms...." In 1740, Noble Jones was one of the three settlers on the Isle of Hope, located at the mouth of the Vernon River, Mr. Parker and Mr. Fallowfield being the other two planters. Nearby was Jones' Fort, with Noble Jones as commander to prevent the poor people of Frederica from escaping to other places that they may get bread. For a long while, Noble Jones was surveyor in the Colony until he became disinterested and was discharged from his post. He helped fight in the seige of Augustine, afterwards, returning to Savannah to be appointed with a guardboat to watch the Narrows of Skidoway Island. In August of 1740, he was commissioned Lieutenant, and in 1743, made Captain, by General Oglethorpe. In 1743, he must have already built his home, Wormsloe Plantation, on the Isle of Hope, because of an astute observation by a 1743 visitor, which alluded to Capt. Jones’ Wormesloe plantation. "Wormsloe is one of the most agreeable Spots I ever saw, and the Improvements of that ingenious Man are very extraordinary: He commands a Company of Marchines who are quartered in Huts near his House, which is also a tolerable defensible Place with small Arms. From the house there is a Vista of near three Miles cut thro’ the Woods to Mr. Whitefields Orphan House, which has a very fine Effect on the Sight. The tabby ruins of the fortress which he built can still be viewed. Set amidst live-oaks, palmettos, magnolias and cedars, this peaceful setting and pleasant traditions remain in the possession of the descendants of Noble Jones. Jones purchased Lot No. 2 in the 1st Tything, Lower New Ward of Savannah having a garden and farm lot of 50 acres from John Lawrence, Jr., by Charles Watson, Gentleman, as Attorney for said Lawrence, Merchant of Frederica, on 3 January 1746. Lawrence had purchased the lot from John Smith of Frederica, Merchant, Attorney for Samuel Clee, late of the same place. In 1750 he petitioned for 500 acres on the Little Ogeechee River, already having a lease for land on the Island of Hope. In 1768 Jones was a Member of the Georgia Council as well as Conservator of the Peace, and in October of 1771, he petitioned the Trustees that he had some time ago purchased a plantation from Inego Jones of the Island of Skidoway and that he had reason to believe that there might be considerable quantity of surplus land within the line of said survey (500 acres granted in December). In February of 1772, Noble Jones had sixteen negroes which he planned to use on 800 acres granted him on the northside of the Ogeechee River. Noble Jones died November of 1775 and was buried in marked grave in Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia. "For twenty one years Member and sometimes President of His Majestys Council. Colonel of the First Georgia Regiment." Children:

Noble Wimberly Jones, born 1722, granted Lot 46 in Savannah, died 1805 Married Sarah Davis. Mary Jones, born 1729. Thomas Wimberly Jones, born 1723 in London. Grandson was George Wymberly Jones (1766-1838) who was also a physician, and inherited Wormsloe. Jones was appointed Judge, Georgia Superior Court in 1804, and to the U. S. Senate in 1807.


Jones, Lewis became involved at Savannah in the murder trial of three sailors who were found guilty and executed. Afterwards, he was criticised for leaving Charles Town in 1739. But when he returned, he was made Third Bailiff in Savannah, in October of 1739.

Jones, Thomas of Wales, formerly of London, a Clothworker, and voyaged with Oglethorpe on one of his trips to the Colony, came to America, arriving at St. Simons Island, Monday, September 18, 1738, at that time being appointed Advocate of the Regiment, being asked by General Oglethorpe to inspect the store accounts at Savannah and to adjust Mr. Causton's accounts. For this reason he became known as a hot and passionate man, and was generally complained about by the other citizens. In May of 1739, he was appointed Storekeeper for the whole province at an annual earnings of 30 pds. He soon quarrelled with Robert Williams which resulted in a fist fight, but their differences were later settled. In June he was appointed Overseer of the Trust Servants in the Northern Division of the Province of Savannah. These were the indentured servants to the crown, who could not be freed until their indenture time expired. After this they were freed and usually granted 25 acres of land by the Crown. In the Journal of the Earl of Egmont dated October 10, 1739, Thomas Jones was described: "That Mr. Jones is so utterly rash, passionate and cruel, that twas to be feared he would drive the Colony away by Spring. That he declared he valued not the Trustees' orders, but would obey those of Colonel Oglethorpe." In 1740, twenty-five of the Trustees servants were employed by Thomas Jones on a new plantation, one mile south of Savannah, but only 100 bushels of corn were produced. A complaint was made by Mary Townsend to the Palace Court that Mr. Jones had a store and supplied shops with goods at wholesale prices, but otherwise sold them retail. Irrespectively, Jones was continually given offices by the crown. He became third bailiff of Savannah,and was quickly known as a man of resolution, disliked by many. June 1, 1741, he was appointed one of the four assistants to Secretary William Stephens, Esquire, in the Town of Savannah, with John Pye elected as Clerk. John Pye investigated grievances of the people, and began charging Thomas Jones with malpractice of the public accounts. In a letter from Harmon Verelst to Thomas Jones, dated at Westminster, December 14, 1741, Jones was complimented for his good work and accounting methods. "The Trustees are very well pleased with the exactness of the accounts you sent them by Capt. (William) Thomson, and are well satisfied in your capacity to serve them...." In February of 1771, Thomas Jones was granted 100 acres of land in St. Mathews Parish (Effingham Co.). He died at Savannah on June 5, 1810. His wife, Eliza, died at Savannah in 1817, her LWT dated 1/17/1817, Will Book F. In her Will, she named her mother, Mrs. Jane Rea, and the children of her husband: Januarye Mary Jones and Martha Cowles Jones.

Jones, Francis of St. Mathews Parish, was a planter and Quaker in Wrightsborough Township, owning 250 acres of land. His wife was Elizabeth. His LWT dated 2/18/1768, probated 8/12/1775. Children:
1. John Jones of Columbia Co. married Miss Phebe McDonald. They had the following Children:
2. Elizabeth Jones.
3. Seaborn Jones.
4. Milborn Jones.
5. Henry Jones.
6. Sarah Jones.
7. Mary Ann Jones
8. Francis Jones married Mary who was born April 7, 1782. Issue:

1. Rachel Jones b. 1806 married Mr. Thomas.
2. David Jones b. 1809.
3. Allen Jones b. 1812.
4. Rebecca Jones b. 1814 married Mr. Wilson.
5. Lydia Jones.

1. Richard Jones.
2. Philip Jones lived Effingham Co.
3. Mathew Jones.
4. William Jones.
5. Francis Jones.
6. James Jones. In March of 1771 was granted 50 acres near lands of John Gray in St. Andrew's Parish, Liberty Co. In July, was granted 50 acres in Cowpen Swamp, St. David's Parish, Glynn Co. He served as Soldier in his Majesty's Independent Company commanded by Capt. John Epay and later ordered discharged. Had one child.
7. Elizabeth Jones.
8. Sucky Jones (daughter).

Jones, John, mulatto, granted Lot No. 4, 70 x 130 feet, 2 January 1759 by Kenneth Baillie, John Elliott and Grey Elliott, Trustees of Sunbury.

Jones, John migrated from South Carolina to Georgia, was a rice planter in St. Johns Parish. Later became a Major in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, and was Aid-de-Camp to Brig.-General Lachlan McIntosh. His descendant is Colonel Charles Colcock Jones or Richmond County. Died and buried at Midway Cemetery, 22 March 1772.

Jones, William of St. Andrews Parish, Liberty Co., Gentleman, died 1775. His LWT dated 2/18/1768, probated 8/12/1775. He had a brothter, Charles Jones, to whom he gave land on St. Maryss Island, and six negroes. Sisters: Sally Jones, Susannah Jones. Nephews: Charles Middleton and William Middleton.