Jacob Jones

Notes:

Died:
Historic Marker in Robertson Co, Tennessee
Battle Creek Massacre
TN 49, at Coopertown Road
Text:
2 miles S.E., along Battle Creek in Jan. 1780, settlers fleeing from Renfro's Station on Red River about 17 miles away, were caught by Indians and massacred. The sole survivor was a widow named Jones who made her way 4 days later into a Settlements station.
http://www.lat34north.com/HistoricMarkersTN/MarkerDetail.cfm?KeyID=074-001&MarkerTitle=Battle%20Creek%20Massacre

Jacob married Mrs. Elizabeth (?)(..) Jones about 1730. Elizabeth was born about 1710; died after 1740. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Records of the Red River Settlement (Renfro Station) indicate that Abraham Jones was killed along with his mother and father and his brother was taken prisoner by the Indians. Accounts say that he and Mary "Polly" Rentfro had three children almost grown when he was killed and she
escaped with Shadrack and Betsy. However the date of Betsy's birth would make her an infant at the time of the Indian attack.

FROM: JudyLeeTN@aol.com
Tuesday, November 05, 2002 5:39 PM
Dear Delores,
I came across you gedcom on worldconnect on the Abraham JONES family. I'm the g/g/g/g/g granddaughter of Abraham JONES by way of Elizabeth Betsy JONES.
I was delighted to see there was someone else who was researching this line!
Elizabeth Betsy Jones's birth date has always been a mystery. We think it was around 1775 in NC. I have a deed dated 15 Feb 1798 in Davidson Co., TN on Shadrack Jones and Betsy Jones is the witness. I don't know exactly how old she would had to have been in order to be considered an
adult and witness the deed but, I'm thinking she would have, at least, been 21 which would put her being born around 1777. But, I think she was born before that. Betsy JONES-WATTS is in the 1850 Robetson Co., TN census as a widow. Her three spinster daughters are still living with her. It list her age as 65 which would put her being born abt. 1785 but, I know that is absolutely incorrect. The ages of her daughters are also incorrect.
First, let me give you the info I have on Betsy Jones.....
Elizabeth Betsy JONES b. abt. 1774-1775 in NC and died on 10 Jun 1863 in Robertson Co., TN. She married Thomas WATTS on 19 Nov 1807 in Davidson Co., TN.
Thomas WATTS was born bet. 1770-1775 in NC and died 19 Sept 1837 in Robertson Co., TN. Children of Betsy JONES and Thomas WATTS are:
1. James WATTS, b. 22 Aug 1808 in Davidson Co., TN and died after 1880 in Montgomery Co., TN. (Married twice and had 17 known children. James is my g/g/g grandfather).
2. Eliza WATTS, b. 29 Mar 1810 in Davidson Co., TN and died on the 22 Jul 1812 in Davidson Co., TN.
3. Mary "Polly" WATTS, b. 15 Jan 1812 and died 1 Mar 1885 in Robertson Co., TN. (Polly never married)
4. Elizabeth WATTS, b. 2 Mar 1814 in Davidson Co., TN and died 16 May 1876 in Robertson Co., TN. (Eliza never married)
5. Melinda WATTS, b. 2 May 1816 in Davidson Co., TN and died 25 Dec 1863 in Robertson Co., TN. (Melinda never married).
6. John W. WATTS, b. 11 Jun 1818 in Davidson Co., TN and died on 1 Oct 1900 in Robertson Co., TN. (Married once and had 10 children).
7. Thomas R. WATTS, b. 6 Dec 1820 in Davidson Co., TN and died 7 Dec 1820 in Davidson Co., TN.
All of the above info come from the W ATTS family bible which belonged to Betsy JONES-WATTS and is now owned by my cousin, Roger WATTS.

I find it very interesting that you list Betsy's and Shadrack's mother as Mary Polly RENFRO. All the records I have indicate her name was Keziah but, we have never found her maiden name. How did you come by your
information? I'm wondering if her middle name may have been Keziah???
Abraham JONES and Keziah [?] had two children:
1. Shadrack JONES b. abt 1772/73 in NC. He married Cilia DOWLEN on 4 Apr 1803 in Davidson Co., TN. We believe that Celia was a sister to Harris DOWLEN Sr. and the full spelling of her name was Urcilla. This family came from Warren Co., NC. The JONES-WATTS families were very close to
the DOWLEN families. I have several deeds on Shadrack JONES which date from 1793 to 1804. The last record I have on him is the 1 812 Militia list of Davidson Co., TN. He was in Capt. Dempsy Morris's company along with other family: James REEVES, Daniel REEVES, Elijah REEVES, Elisha REEVES, Isaac MAYFIELD, Thomas WATTS, Samuel HOWE, Harris DOWLEN Sr.,
Lewis WILLIAMS, Dempsy MORRIS, Edmond HYDE, and a few others that were in close contact with the family. The FELTS were also clos (truncated - from here to end has been lost)

________________________
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=deloreswilley&id=I07965

Records of the Red River Settlement (Renfro Station) indicate that Abraham Jones was killed along with his mother and father and his brother was taken prisoner by the Indians. Accounts say that he and Mary "Polly" Rentfro had three children almost grown when he was killed and she escaped with Shadrack and Besty. However the date of Betsy's birth would make her an infant at the time of the Indian attack.

Historic Marker in Robertson Co, Tennessee
Battle Creek Massacre
TN 49, at Coopertown Road
Text:
2 miles S.E., along Battle Creek in Jan. 1780, settlers fleeing from Renfro's Station on Red River about 17 miles away, were caught by Indians and massacred. The sole survivor was a widow named Jones who made her way 4 days later into a Settlements station.
http://www.lat34north.com/HistoricMarkersTN/MarkerDetail.cfm?KeyID=074-001&MarkerTitle=Battle%20Creek%20Massacre

FROM: JudyLeeTN@aol.com
Abraham JONES and Keziah [?] had two children:
After Abraham JONES was killed in an Indian attack, (I can't figure out if he was at Ft. Nashboro or Renfro Station. I have records that seem to indicate both. Keziah JONES testified in a court case in "Mero Dist. Davidson Co., NC" in 1784 which indicates she was at Ft. Nashboro), Keziah JONES met up with Isaac MAYFIELD Sr. She had an illegitimate son named Isaac MAYFIELD with him as proven by Davidson Co. Court Min. dated 7 Jan 1784. Isaac Jr. was born in 1783. Isaac Mayfield Sr. married another widow, Elizabeth GENTRY, in 1783. Keziah JONES evidently was pretty mad about that so she took him to court for child support which she was awarded.

GRANTS, WARRANTS, SURVEYS & DEEDS:

1. Mero Dist. Davidson Co., NC, (would become Tennessee in 1796). Grant issued to Shadrack JONES, heir of Abraham JONES, deceased, 640 acres. Issued: 26 Jun 1783 and Entered 27 Jul 1784, grant #363, warrant # 553. Apparently, Shadrack was not of legal age to own land as he didn't actually get this land until 30 Jun 1794 as shown by the deed which refers to this grant and warrant. The land was surveyed on 14 Feb. 1791 for Shadrack JONES.

2. 15 Feb 1798 - Thomas JAMES to Shadrack JONES & Keziah BERRY - Davidson Co., TN - witnessed by: Betsy JONES & Jentry GULLAGE - 50 acres.

3. 15 Feb 1798 - Shadrack JONES to Thomas JAMES - 200 acres "Being part of a preemption granted the said Shadrack JONES as heir of Abraham JONES the grant #363, dated June 26th 1793 in the county of Davidson, state of Tennessee, on the southside of the Cumberland River in the fork of Stuarts creek and Stones River." Witness: Betsy JONES & Jemsley? GULLAGE.

4. 17 Feb 1798 - Shadrack JONES to James BODINE - 160 acres on the bluff of Stones River & Stuarts creek - "Being part of a preemption granted to the said Shadrack JONES as heir of Abraham JONES, deceased, grant #363, 26 Jun 1793" - Davidson Co., TN - Witness: Jno. MITCHELL & Martin YOUNG.

5. 10 Mar 1798 - Shadrack JONES To Robert WEAKLEY - 274 acres on south side of Cumberland River in the forks of Stones River and Stuarts creek, "being the balance of a preemption granted unto the said Shadrack JONES as heir of Abraham JONES deceased, by the state of NC, (same grant and warrant numbers) - Davidson Co., TN.

6. 15 Jan 1800 - Shadrack JONES to Christopher STUMP - 211 &1/2 acres on the Harpeth River - witness: Nathaniel McCREAY.

7. 17 Jan 1804 - Shadrack JONES, Betsy JONES & Isaac MAYFIELD to George CROWELL - All parties being in Davidson Co., TN - On southside of Whites Creek - 50 acres "it being that ___, (blank), of land conveyed by Thomas JAMES to said Shadrack JONES & Keziah BERRY, deceased, by deed bearing date 15 Feb 1798 - "And that said Shadrack JONES, Betsy JONES & Isaac MAYFIELD, as heirs of Keziah BERRY, deceased" - and Shadrack JONES, Betsy JONES & Isaac MAYFIELD agree to warrant & defend forever the aforesaid bargained premises unto the said George CROWEL his heirs and assigns against the claim of all and every person whatsoever EXCEPT: Nelly BERRY, Polly BERRY, Keziah BERRY and Annie BERRY, Minors and heirs of said Keziah BERRY, deceased.

I have a few other letters from the REEVES, HOW, WATTS, FELTS. One letter was written in 1851 by James WATTS who is the son of Betsy JONES and Thomas WATTS. He wrote it to "Aunt Anna HOWE" in Jefferson Co., IL. In this letter he mentions Uncle MAYFIELD, Uncle Howell HARRIS, Aunt Polly HARRIS, Cousin James HOWE, Cousin Joseph FELTS, Dempsy MORRIS, Tommy EATON, Lewis WILLIAMS, Edmond HYDE and Thomas W. FELTS. (Cousin James HOWE was the son of Anna BERRY-HOWE. Joseph FELTS would be the son of Drury FELTS and Nellie BERRY). I think this letter just help establish that Betsy JONES-WATTS was a half sister to Anna BERRY and were daughters of Keziah JONES-BERRY.

Well, that pretty much wraps up what I know and have discovered regarding the early years of the JONES family. I also have a gedcom on worldconnect but, It's not been updated to include the information I've just sited as I have just recently found some of these documents.

I would very much be interested in any thoughts you may have on the above documents I site. I welcome any comments!!I look forward to hearing from you soon!!
My best regards,
Judy Lee Watts
Nashville, TN
(615) 832-3901


Thursday, July 10, 2003 1:11 PM: Dear Ms. Willey: Wow, I really didn?t expect to hear anything back for at least a couple of days. Thanks for responding so quickly.
I have been unable to locate any information regarding where the Jones family originated from. I suspect since Abraham and Mary were traveling with both sets of in-laws and both families would have come from approx. the same location. Most likely Virginia, but I?m really not sure.
Last night I read through the entire package of information I had printed down from the internet. I was up until after midnight re-reading everything and making notes in the margins. I specifically enjoyed the information regarding the Renfro brothers teaching George Washington how to survey. I became confused about which generation would actually taught General Washington. I?m not sure but I think I?ve figured that out.
Also, I found an intriguing bit of information while I was reading ?The Ancestry of George Washington Renfroe? ? (Rentro?s in Virginia). When you were discussing the three brothers James Rentfro, Joseph Rentfro and William Rentfro you state that Peter settled on the Western side of the mountains, but James and Joseph crossed over and settled on the Blackwater and opereated a mill. The path frequently mentioned by the surveyors was a road, probably the Warwick. Ironically, or maybe not, Moses Jones built his brick home using a Flemish Style Bond of brick-laying (a style frequently used in the Williamsburg, VA area). He fired his own bricks, he carved all the mantels in the home as well as stenciled a blue and red boarder around the top of the "Ball Room". The stencil contains small Indian Tepees to honor the Chickasaw Indians who were his captors. He built this home with his own hand and put a lot of detail inside. He named his home "Warwick". Do you think this could be a link or just a coincidence?
Apparently Moses Jones was an artist and was known for his artwork. He also made furniture and was an excellent craftsman and woodworker . He made of pair of fireplace andirons they are quite large and you can tell by looking at them they were hammered out by hand. This past February, while cleaning out the basement of my husband?s grandmother I recently came across these andirons under a table. She is the one who told me the history regarding Moses and the andirons ? I am very glad they didn?t get thrown out by mistake. I have photos of this home as well as the Jones decedents as well as a written history prepared in a book form written by Evelynn Watts Jones back in 1974. I would be happy to send you a duplicate copy of this book. Please let me know where to send this information. Our information basically starts with Jacob and Elizabeth Jones traveling with Col. Donelson we have a clear history after Moses returns to civilization in approx. 1801.
I have some specific questions regarding young William Rentfro who was a companion/ friend to Geo. Washington. Also, Rev. Moses Rentfro. I will prepare some sort of an outline with questions over next couple of days. However, I am currently at work and should really not be spending to much time searching internet sites. I will however, read through all of your family each since it stands as a wonderful family legacy and model to base my own family history.
Thank you so much for your help I and look forwarding to providing you with some answers.
Kirsten Kissel


From: mmac734155@sbcglobal.net
To: felinesmama@msn.com
Subject: JONES research
Date: Sat, 28 Mar 2009 17:24:50 -0500 Delores, My wife and I saw your tree on rootsweb concerning Abraham Jones, along with information from Judy Lee Watts. We?ve been trying to get in touch with her, but the e-mail addresses we?re using are old. We would like to share info. with both of you about Abraham?s family. Mike McMurray
From: Mike McMurray Date: 3/30/2009 6:55:34 AM To: 'Delores Sue Willey' Subject: RE: JONES research
Delores, OK, we?ll keep looking. BTW, I called the phone no. in Nashville she included in her posts and it has been disconnected, so she must have moved recently. You?re right, the best thing now is to wait for her to jump back in with a new e-mail address.
Enjoyed looking at your web site. When I get through processing this current batch of new info., will try to get it together in a coherent format and get it to you. I?m a descendant of Abraham Jones little brother, Moses, who was taken prisoner by the Chickasaws in the ?Battle Creek massacre,? or ?Clover Bottom attack,? or whatever you call it. He escaped 9 years later and wound up in Mercer Co., Ky. Mike McMurray

Abraham married Mary "Polly" (Keziah?) Rentfro (Jones-Berry?) about 1763. Mary (daughter of Joseph Renfro, Sr. and Mary Owens Randolph) was born in 1743; died in 1793. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1789, Mercer Co, Kentucky

Notes:

part of notes found here:
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=deloreswilley&id=I07965

"From: mmac734155@sbcglobal.net
To: felinesmama@msn.com
Subject: JONES research
Date: Sat, 28 Mar 2009 17:24:50 -0500
I'm a descendant of Abraham Jones little brother, Moses, who was taken prisoner by the Chickasaws in the "Battle Creek massacre," or "Clover Bottom attack," or whatever you call it. He escaped 9 years later and wound up in Mercer Co., Ky. Mike McMurray"
-----
Historic Marker in Robertson Co, Tennessee
Battle Creek Massacre
TN 49, at Coopertown Road
Text:
2 miles S.E., along Battle Creek in Jan. 1780, settlers fleeing from Renfro's Station on Red River about 17 miles away, were caught by Indians and massacred. The sole survivor was a widow named Jones who made her way 4 days later into a Settlements station.
http://www.lat34north.com/HistoricMarkersTN/MarkerDetail.cfm?KeyID=074-001&MarkerTitle=Battle%20Creek%20Massacre

Other Events and Attributes:

• Other-Begin: Jan 1780, Battle Creek Massacre, Robertson Co, Tennessee
• Property: 15 Feb 1798, Robertson Co, Tennessee
• Military: 1812, Militia list, Davidson Co, Tennessee

Notes:

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=deloreswilley&id=I12836

Shadrack JONES b. abt 1772/73 in NC. He married Cilia DOWLEN. We believe that Celia was a sister to Harris DOWLEN Sr. and the full spelling of her name was Urcilla. This family came from Warren Co., NC. The JONES-WATTS families were very close to the DOWLEN families. I have several deeds on Shadrack JONES which date from 1793 to 1804. The last record I have on him is the 1812 Militia list of Davidson Co., TN. He was in Capt. Dempsy Morris's company along with other family: James REEVES, Daniel REEVES, Elijah REEVES, Elisha REEVES, Isaac MAYFIELD, Thomas WATTS, Samuel HOWE, Harris DOWLEN Sr., Lewis WILLIAMS, Dempsy MORRIS, Edmond HYDE, and a few others that were in close contact with the family. The FELTS were also close family members. In an old letter we have from a collection of several family members there is one from William LEE who is a nephew of Shadrack's and Betsy's by marriage in which he states he had heard from "Uncle Shadrack Jones" and he was living in Mississippi. This letter was dated 1834.



Other-Begin:
Records of the Red River Settlement (Renfro Station) indicate that Abraham Jones was killed along with his mother and father and his brother was taken prisoner by the Indians. Accounts say that he and Mary "Polly" Rentfro had three children almost grown when he was killed and she
escaped with Shadrack and Betsy. However the date of Betsy's birth would make her an infant at the time of the Indian attack.

Property:
deed dated 15 Feb 1798 in Davidson Co., TN on Shadrack Jones and Betsy Jones is the witness.

Shadrack married Selah Ann Dowlen on 5 Apr 1803 in Davidson Co, Tennessee. Selah died on 22 Sep 1856 in Mississippi; was buried in Beulah Baptist Church Cem, Newton Co, Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Tuesday, November 05, 2002 5:39 PM: Dear Delores, I came across you gedcom on worldconnect on the Abraham JONES family. I'm the g/g/g/g/g granddaughter of Abraham JONES by way of Elizabeth Betsy JONES.
I was delighted to see there was someone else who was researching this line!
Elizabeth Betsy Jones's birth date has always been a mystery. We think it was around 1775 in NC. I have a deed dated 15 Feb 1798 in Davidson Co., TN on Shadrack Jones and Betsy Jones is the witness. I don't know exactly how old she would had to have been in order to be considered an adult and witness the deed but, I'm thinking she would have, at least, been 21 which would put her being born around 1777. But, I think she was born before that. Betsy JONES-WATTS is in the 1850 Robetson Co., TN census as a widow. Her three spinster daughters are still living with her. It list her age as 65 which would put her being born abt. 1785 but, I know that is absolutely incorrect. The ages of her daughters are also incorrect.
First, let me give you the info I have on Betsy Jones.....
Elizabeth Betsy JONES b. abt. 1774-1775 in NC and died on 10 Jun 1863 in Robertson Co., TN. She married Thomas WATTS on 19 Nov 1807 in Davidson Co., TN. Thomas WATTS was born bet. 1770-1775 in NC and died 19 Sept 1837 in Robertson Co., TN. Children of Betsy JONES and Thomas WATTS are:

1. James WATTS, b.CTN and died after 1880 in Montgomery Co., TN. (Married twice and had 17 known children. James is my g/g/g grandfather).

2. Eliza WATTS, b. 29 Mar 1810 in Davidson Co., TN and died on the 22 Jul 1812 in Davidson Co., TN.

3. Mary "Polly" WATTS, b. 15 Jan 1812 and died 1 Mar 1885 in Robertson Co., TN. (Polly never married)

4. Elizabeth WATTS, b. 2 Mar 1814 in Davidson Co., TN and died 16 May 1876 in Robertson Co., TN. (Eliza never married)

5. Melinda WATTS, b. 2 May 1816 in Davidson Co., TN and died 25 Dec 1863 in Robertson Co., TN. (Melinda never married).

6. John W. WATTS, b. 11 Jun 1818 in Davidson Co., TN and died on 1 Oct 1900 in Robertson Co., TN. (Married once and had 10 children).

7. Thomas R. WATTS, b. 6 Dec 1820 in Davidson Co., TN and died 7 Dec 1820 in Davidson Co., TN.

All of the above info come from the WATTS family bible which belonged to Betsy JONES-WATTS and is now owned by my cousin, Roger WATTS.
I find it very interesting that you list Betsy's and Shadrack's mother as Mary Polly RENFRO. All the records I have indicate her name was Keziah but, we have never found her maiden name. How did you come by your information? I'm wondering if her middle name may have been Keziah???

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=deloreswilley&id=I12309

Elizabeth married Thomas Watts on 19 Nov 1807 in Davidson Co, Tennessee. Thomas was born between 1770 and 1775 in North Carolina; died on 19 Sep 1837 in Robertson Co, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: James Harrison. James was born in 1816. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Henry married Margaret Jones in 1843. Margaret (daughter of Richard Jones and Rachel Johnson) was born on 24 Apr 1824 in Alabama; died on 13 Nov 1864 in Sharp Co, Arkansas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]