Jones Family website

  Prologue

The basis for this research was to track the ancestors/descendants of Silas Jones and Julia Lawson. Records were researched through the United States National Archives, Genealogy Research Recording Washington, D. C. This research was done on all family members who were born during the census periods from eighteen seventy (1870) through nineteen fifty (1950) … Descendants of Silas Jones can trace their lineage through George Jones and Caroline Evens. A January 1921 fire at the U. S. Department of Commerce destroyed the majority of 1890 Census schedules.

My interest in the Silas and Julia Jones’ genealogy was certainly piqued by Silas E. Jones, the grandson of Silas Jones. He developed and published the first edition of the Silas and Julia Jones History Book in 1991. However, what happened in the Jones family history mirrored what happened in other black families in America. Their lives were typical of African Americans that survived years of oppression and humiliation in the South. They struggled to earn a living, trying to adapt to a rural life existence after generations of slavery. The family history shows that they coped with Jim Crow Laws (America’s Apartheid) after slavery. Eventually, they saw their children and grandchildren prosper.   ~ Larry Dixon 

“The events which transpired 5,000 years ago, or five minutes ago, have determined what will happen five minutes from now, five years from now or 5,000 years from now. Let us not forget, that all history is a current event. People who do not know their past are people who have no future.”   ~Dr. John

Centuries ago, out of the bosom of the Motherland, across a vast oceanic expanse, our forefathers, the forebears of Silas and Julia Jones, persevered through a horrendously treacherous journey. Gone were the days of chieftains and ceremonial dances. Gone were their linkages to oral tradition and tribal connections. Transported and catapulted into a foreign land, an alien way of life had begun. 

With the passage of time a legendary mighty oak did burrow its tremendous taproot way, way deep down into the arable soil of our fruitful heritage producing lofty limbs that intertwined with a motivated mate and, as such, permeated the annals of history. That powerful oak, George Jones, was bolstered by a compelling companion, Caroline Evens, from whose bounteous branches generational seeds of greatness have sprung.  It was in South Carolina, the Palmetto State, that that mighty oak, George Jones, made his advent in September 1849. Subsequently, Caroline Evens was born October 1864 in Georgia. United with his compelling companion around 1880, they relocated to La Crosse, Florida between 1891 and mid-1893.  Products of pre- and post-Civil War America, they identified as farmers and landowners. 

The children born to this union are documented as Able, Silas, Hattie, Amos, Edgar, Philip and John. Census information provides differing self-reported facts regarding the composition of their households, ages, and places of birth. It is certain that Philip, nee August 1893, was the couple’s first child to be born in Florida.  

There were no documented records of Silas’ sisters, Beanie and Janie, under the Jones’ surname in the 1900 censuses. Based on the Social Security Death Benefits Records, CD 110, Vol 1, November 1884 Edition … a Janie Bailey (her married name) was born November 20, 1882 and died in March 1976 at the age of ninety-three. Her place of death is recorded as Jacksonville, Florida.

From a historical perspective, there is speculation that the two antecedents, George and Caroline, could have maintained separate households to obtain more homestead land. The Homestead Act – an act passed by Congress in 1862 promised ownership of a 160-acre tract of public land to a citizen or head of a family who had resided on and cultivated the land for five years after the initial claim. On July 27, 1896, a George Jones filed a claim for 40.05 acres of land under the Homestead Act in the Gainesville, Florida Land Office.

The paper trail for Caroline Jones ends in 1900. Perhaps that is because she subsequently remarried. Contrarily, the 1910 census showed an age-appropriate George Jones living in Newberry, Florida. The household consisted of a wife, Hattie (21), and three children: Dorsie (6), Josh (2) and Pollyan (1).

Certainly, with the union of two majestic, durable oaks comes the inevitability of sprouting new growth, thus perpetuating the amazing birthright of deep familial roots that had their genesis in the Cradle of Civilization. 

Psalm 127:3 reminds us that, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” George and Caroline were rewarded with their second child, a son, Silas, born in July 1885. Without a doubt it is true! The ancestral acorn does not fall far from the tree. Born in Georgia, between the ages of six and eight, he relocated with his family when they moved to Florida. There are no historical accounts of his childhood and adolescent years. 

According to the 1910 census, Silas Jones married Rosetta Parker in 1905. She moved to Florida between 1905 and 1908. Like her husband, Rosetta was also born in Georgia. Data collection in 1910 showed that they had three children living with them: Frank (1903), Immia [Orrie/Araminta?] (December 1905) and Albert (September 17, 1908). Frank was born prior to his mother’s move to Florida and is not the biological child of Silas.  By 1920, there were two more children living in the home: Australia (1910) and Leroy (1913). In the census taken on January 8, 1920, in Jacksonville, Florida, Leroy was listed as the son of Abe and Victoria Jones.  As a result, it is not evident whether his mother and father are Abe and Victoria, Silas and Rosetta or Silas and Julia.

Silas Jones and Julia Lawson Jones were married on June 24, 1917. It appears that this was the second marriage for each. Born on January 23, 1896, she was first married at the age of fourteen. As stated previously, Silas Jones initially married in 1905. George Jones, born February 22, 1918, was the first child of this union, followed by a daughter, Victoria, born April 2, 1919. In succession, eight additional children were added to the family: Daisy – May 24, 1920; Theresa – December 3, 1921; Samuel – April 22, 1923; Joseph – August 24, 1925; Ernest – March 1, 1926; Naomi – January 9, 1928; Julia Carolyn - December 10, 1929; Betty – March 23, 1930. They also welcomed into the family Ida Johnson – November 18, 1938. “Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.”  ~Psalm 127:5

Theresa Jones Dixon advised that her mother, Julia Jones, was raised by an aunt, Julia Wintro. In his research Historian, Larry Dixon, was able to locate one Julia Winnthrop. This entry was found in the 1910 census. Listed as head of the household, she was said to be 42 years old and was born in Alachua County, Florida. There were three children in the home: a son, Sampson (17), and two daughters, Lula (15) and Willie (13).

Ralph Waldo Emerson reminds us that, “The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.” And so has it been with the Jones dynasty.  As Divine Providence would have it, the name “Silas” means forest.  The crux of the matter is, “If we know where we come from, we may better know where to go. If we know who we came from, we may better understand who we are.” 

From this mighty progenitor an expansive growth of humanity has flourished and planted indelible seeds in the fertile grasslands of time.  Indeed, since the start of our recorded history (beginning with George Jones) in 1849 to the present day eighth generation and, yes, for all times to come, the blended Jones family has walked with the Master day after day … talked to the Master all the way … advocated, cried, prayed and praised together … celebrated, sighed, played, and were amazed together … stayed grounded in the face of distress … abounded with the grace of success. The proverbial pulsating heartbeat of Silas Jones lives on and has its being through offspring, such as those representatives listed below who were descended from his powerful prowess. 

Third Generation

Frank Jones 

Albert Lee Jones, Sr. 

Orrie Jones Willis

Australia Jones

Rev. George Jones

Victoria Jones

Daisy Jones Johnson

Theresa Jones Dixon

Samuel Jones

Joseph Jones

Ernest Jones

Naomi Jones

Julia Carolyn Jones

Betty Jones Mingo

Ida Johnson

Epilogue

The Jones family is eternally grateful to Larry Dixon, fourth generation contributor,  for the untold hours he has spent, and continues to spend, researching the roots of our family. We also proudly recognize Silas Emanuel Jones, fourth generation contributor, for his ongoing commitment to safeguarding the Jones legacy. 

"Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago."
 

― Warren Buffett