Integrating the Derivative

Grave-hopping May 6, 2008

The headstone of my great-great grandfather William H. Hanners, 1868 – 1917.

Do you recognize this family? November 30, 2007

This picture was labeled “Cook Family” on my computer but I think it actually shows the family of Ephraim Jones. If you recognize the people in it let me know. In the meantime I’m going to see if I can confirm it as the Jones family.

My genealogical research: DOOMED October 12, 2007

My genealogical research

Okay, so I’m exaggerating a little.  Unfortunately, AncestryPlus has been replaced with Heritage Quest Online in the MSU Electronic Resources.

Since I attended MSU I’ve been able to access the electronic resources (most of them anyways) available at the MSU library’s website.  I was able to use AncestryPlus free from my own home and it was a great boon to my research.   After using Heritage Quest for a little while it appears to be a rather poor replacement for the extensive databases available at Ancestry.  I suppose this means that I’ll just have to shell out the cash for a subscription to Ancestry.com sometime.

*sigh*

Find A Grave March 13, 2007

I came across the website Find A Grave when I was doing some research couple days ago.  It’s a neat idea.  Users can add entries in the cemeteries and then upload pictures or write short stories to go along with them.  I’ve been entering in some of my own research over the past few days.

Of course, there’s no fact-checking and you can’t edit other peoples’ entries so errors can creep in.   There’s also the fact that people like to enter in more information than what’s on the headstone.  Of the entries I’ve seen that have done that, the vast majority didn’t cite where the information comes from.  In my opinion, that’s a serious problem.  There’s enough misinformation floating around on the internet already concerning family trees.

In other news, Mabel Klobnak wrote back to me and sent me another short book on the Jones family.  I don’t have anything more yet on Asa Jones’ ancestors but she said she’d mail me some more stuff about the family soon.

The case for Ezekiel Jones February 21, 2007

In my previous post on the Jones family, I mentioned that the relationship between my GGG Grandparents, Asa and Margaret Jones, and Ezekiel Jones is much harder to pin down than for Asa’s other children since I don’t have any census records with them together. In this post I hope to present a prima facie* case that Ezekiel is indeed Asa and Margaret’s son.

The following three lines of evidence point to this conclusion:

1. Mabel Klobnak’s pamphlet on the Jones family.
2. The recurrence of family names.
3. Consistency in birthdates/places

None of these items by themselves, with the possible exception of the pamphlet, confirms the relationship; but taken all together, they provide a strong case for it.

The pamphlet

In Mabel Klobnak’s pamphlet, she says that she is the great granddaughter of Asa Jones. Being this close to the family would have allowed her to talk to very close family members of Ezekiel and Asa, giving her first-hand knowledge of the family. I’m tempted to call this open-and-shut and stop right now. In the end though, I still don’t know what sources she relied upon for her information. After writing this I’m definitely planning on writing her a letter. I think I’ll do that tomorrow!

The recurrence of family names

In my post on Asa Jones’s family, I mentioned that there was an 1880 census record of Ezekiel Jones. You can see that record to the left. In 1880, Ezekiel was living with the family of Ephraim Jones in Newburg Township, Izard County, Arkansas. Keep in mind that this is not Asa’s son Ephraim. As you can see, Ezekiel is listed as Ephraim’s nephew. Since Ezekiel’s last name is Jones, it’s not likely that he’s a son of one of Nancy’s siblings. That would make Ephraim a brother of Asa and would also mean that Asa’s son Ephraim may have been named after his uncle (got all those relationships straight? ). Naming children after siblings is relatively common. Definitely not a slam dunk, but suggestive of a direct relationship.

Consistency in birthdates/places

First, the age given for Ezekiel (seven years) is consistent with what’s known about Asa’s deathdate. Joseph Jones, Ezekiel’s brother was born around 1880; most likely before that, since there’s no trace of Asa and Margaret in the 1880 census. Ezekiel would have been born around 1873, well before Asa’s untimely death.

The birthplaces given for Ezekiel and Ephraim also line up with what’s known of Asa’s family. These birthplaces are given in the census. However, to make the images fit in the window I had to crop them so they don’t appear in the images I uploaded. In the following list, the first state is the person’s birthplace, the second his father’s birthplace, and the last the mother’s birthplace:

• Ezekiel :: AR, KY, KY
• Ephraim (Ezekiel’s uncle) :: KY, VA, KY
• Asa (Ezekiel’s father) :: KY
• Margaret (Ezekiel’s mother) :: KY

The states given as the birthplaces for Ezekiel’s parents are the same as Asa’s and Margaret’s birthplaces. If Ephraim was Asa’s brother, then it’s likely, but not necessary, that he was born in Kentucky or a nearby state. Consistent, not airtight.

Conclusion

These three lines of evidence all point towards a direct relationship between Ezekiel and Asa. I have to admit that the case is pretty weak without Mabel’s pamphlet though. Hopefully I’ll be able to find some better documentation soon.

Sources

• 1870 U.S. Census, population schedule, Arkansas, Izard County, Mill Creek Township, page no. 15, dwelling 99, family 100, Asa Jones household; digital image, Ancestry.com.
• 1880 U.S. Census, population schedule, Arkansas, Izard County, Newburg Township, page no. 8, dwelling 57, family 57, Ephraim Jones household; digital image, Ancestry.com.

* I hope I used that term properly!

*Edit*

I almost forgot to include this! I found this obituary for Mary Jones, Ezekiel’s wife, on the Rootsweb mailing list for Izard County, Arkansas:

Melbourne Times – Jun 29, 1916 – One of Us Gone

After an illness of several days, Aunt Mary Jones passed from this earth to a better world above. (We believe).

The Death Angel visited her (Wednesday 3, o’clock) June 21, 1916. All that kind and loving hands could do was done. It seemed that it was God’s will to relieve her awful suffering, which she borne very patiently not even a murmur or groan was heard during her illness.

Aunt Mary was born in Ill., later moved to Missouri. At the age of 18 years joined the Baptist Church. About 23 years ago she was married to Ezeke Jones, 8 years ago they came to Arkansas on the account of her health.

Her character was pure and life of sunshine. Always had a kind word everyone. However, her life might be compared with that of a flower “Born to blush unseen and waste its sweetness in the Desert Air.”

Aunt Mary stayed at home, cared very little, “”To associate with the world or make a noise”. “Now she has passed from the cool and lonely vale of life.”

Just a few days before she died she said to some of her friends. “Prepared or unprepared, we must go.” The last few hours of her stay here she was speechless, but her actions seemed to say “One narrow sea have I safely crossed and will soon be resting on The Golden Shore, Friends meet me there.”

As the form was drawn to the (Lawrence) Cemetery and the low sweet melody from the Choir and the kind and sympathetic words from her pastor, Bro. Moses Cooper. I think we should say, “By the Grace of God we’ll make Heaven Our Home.” ——– A friend, Ora Smith

Asa Jones & Margaret ? February 20, 2007

The family of my great-great-great grandparents, Asa and Margaret Jones, comprise one of the more interesting branches of my family tree.

Asa Jones was born around 1839 in Kentucky. I have not yet found any information on who his parents may be. Margaret was born around 1840 in Kentucky. I don’t have any information on her parents so I don’t know what maiden name may have been.

I have very little documentation on Asa and Margaret themselves, consisting of only a census record from 1870.

In 1870 Asa and Margaret were living in Mill Creek Township, Izard County, Arkansas with six children; Margaret, Annie, Phillip, Ephraim, James, and John. The census also gives their ages and birthplaces. Asa and Margaret were both born around 1840 in Kentucky. Margaret is the only child born in Kentucky, the rest were all born in Arkansas. We also learn that Asa, Margaret, and their two oldest children cannot read or write (this isn’t visible in the cropped image).

The 1870 census record is the only documentation I have on Asa and Margaret. This is where it gets interesting. When you look at the 1880 census you find that the family has spread all across the county. Asa, Margaret, their children Margaret, Annie, James, and John have all disappeared. Phillip and Ephraim (my GG Grandfather) are still living in Izard County. What happened to everyone?

Several years ago I received a pamphlet in the mail. Unfortunately I don’t remember who sent it to me (Linda Jeffery). The pamphlet concerns the fate of the Jones family and was apparently written by a Mabel Klobnak from Des Moines, Iowa. Here are some relevant excerpts:

Between the year 1870-1880 ASA JONES OF IZARD COUNTY died. The story handed down through the generation was that some “bushwackers” came to his home, and hanged him and when he heard the horses coming he hid hte children, my grandfather, James Jones was hidden in a woodbin…some in the smokehouse. Older family members said that the wife went off with the baby John with a neighbor man by name of Blankenship. (Of course, this can’t be verified as the correct person after all these years). Family members buried him (Asa) in a cemetery north of Melbourne according to my father who saw the grave many times.

If true, this would certainly explain the disappearance of so many family members. Here’s another excerpt concerning Annie Jones:

In 1972, a letter from Mrs. Ella Jones Cliff of Tulsa, OK., wrote me she was the daughter of John Phillip Jones, called Phillip. She told me that Annie Jones, had married a John Crabtree. Annie died in the homes of John Phillip Jones leaving one child named Thaley. J. Phillip Jones and his wife, Maggie (Smith) are buried in the New Liberty Cemetery near Melbourne.

I haven’t been able to document this yet in the census. Here’s another excerpt about two children of Asa and Margaret that were born after the 1870 census:

Not shown on the census:(previous page)

Ezekiel Jones, husband of Mary Ann McFarland. They are buried in Lawrence family plot near the Belview Baptist Church.

Joseph Jones, lived Newport, Ark. Known as Uncle Joe he operated a barge across the Black River.

Unfortunately for me, Asa was murdered before the 1880 census. This has made it very hard to find any evidence of these two children. However I was able to confirm Joseph’s existence when I found him living with Asa’s grandson Elmer Jones in 1920. Joe’s relationship to Elmer was listed as “Uncle.” Joe’s parents’ birthplaces also matched the birthplaces of Asa and Margaret.

Ezekiel Jones is harder to pin down. Although I don’t have the record on the computer at the moment, I recall a census record (1880 I think) that lists an Ezekiel Jones living with an older Ephraim Jones (not my GG Grandfather). According to the census Ezekiel is a nephew to Ephraim. If this is the Ezekiel I’m looking for, then that would mean that the older Ephraim is a brother to my Asa Jones. I’m planning on looking up this record tonight and posting on it again. Keep an eye out for it.

Finally, there’s an interesting story about an Asa Jones in Carroll Hayden’s Cemeteries of Izard County, Arkansas. In the front of the book is an entry about a Jones Family cemetery. Here’s what it says:

Jones Family

Located in Township 17 North, Range 9 West, Section 26. Located about 1/2 mile north of Melbourne City Limit east on Highway 9. There are about 7 graves with no markers.

The location described sounds close to where Mabel Klobnak’s letter said that Asa Jones was buried. In Hayden’s book there’s an entry for an Asa Jones buried in the Jones Family cemetery. Here’s what it says:

Jones, Asa (Murdered, then hung by wife (2) & her boyfriend-Unmarked)

Sounds somewhat similar to Mabel’s story doesn’t it? The only problem is that Asa’s birthdate is given as about 1888. This is inconsistent with the birthdate that I’ve already established through the census. Of course, how they got a birthdate for him on an unmarked stone is unknown to me. Perhaps it’s a typo?

Family Summary

Asa Jones (b. abt 1839 KY) + Margaret ? (b. abt 1840 KY)

Marriage Date/Place: Unknown

Children:

1. Margaret Jones (b. abt 1858 AR)
2. Annie Jones (b. abt 1869 AR)
3. Phillip John Jones (b. 18 Jan 1861 AR, d. 12 May 1921)
4. Ephraim A. Jones (b. 27 Nov 1863 AR, d. 29 Sep 1933) – My GG Grandfather
5. James Jones (b. abt 1867 AR)
6. John Jones (b. abt 1869 AR)
7. Joseph Jones (b. abt 1880 AR)
8. poss. Ezekiel Jones

Sources

• 1870 U.S. Census, population schedule, Arkansas, Izard County, Mill Creek Township, page no. 15, dwelling 99, family 100, Asa Jones household; digital image, Ancestry.com.
• Pamphlet on the Jones family written by Mabel Klobnak.  Received from Linda Jeffery.
• Hayden, Carroll. Cemeteries of Izard County, Arkansas. Rev. 10.0, 2000.

Jefferson Felton & Eliza A. ? December 15, 2006

Jefferson M. Felton and Eliza A. ? were my great great great grandparents.  They are also where the trail goes dead in my family tree up my father’s direct line.The earliest piece of evidence that I have on this family comes in the 1870 census.  I’ve been unable to find information on this family that predates 1870, even in the 1850 and 1860 censuses.

In 1870 the family was living in Bayou Township, Ozark County, Missouri.  Ozark County is located in the south central portion of the state and borders Arkansas.  In the census Jefferson’s name is given as M. J., he’s 30 years old, he works as a farmer, and he was born in Tennessee.  Eliza A. is 25, her occupation is given as “Keeping house,” and she was born in Missouri.  Although one can never be absolutely certain in the older census records since they don’t give relationships, they have four children:  Leona H.,8 years old, Nathan M. (my GG grandfather), 7 years old,  John C., 4 years old, and Samuel A, 2 years old.  All of the children were born in Missouri.

We pick up the family again in the 1880 census, still living in Bayou Township:

In 1880 we find that the family is missing a member:  Eliza A. is gone.  I’m not certain but I think it’s likely that she died between 1870 and 1880.  I haven’t been able to locate a death record yet.

We find more information about Jefferson’s ancestry in this census record.  The first column where a state’s name appears is the person’s birthplace, the second column is the person’s father’s birthplace, and the third column is the person’s mother’s birthplace.  According to this record, Jefferson’s father was born in Tennessee and his mother in Alabama.

Jefferson’s and his children’s ages agree fairly well with the ages given in the 1870 census.  Age discrepancies are common in census records.  However, if you look at where the census taker recorded the children’s parents’ birthplaces, there’s a much larger and more problematic discrepancy.  Their mother’s birthplace is recorded as being in Illinois, not in Missouri as the 1870 census indicated.  Later census records for his children list Missouri as the correct birthplace, however, information I’ve received from family members leans toward Illinois.

After 1880 the trail goes cold.  The 1890 census was burned so it’s not available, except for a few scraps, to search.  I can find Jefferson’s and Eliza’s son, John, in the 1900 census but none of the other family members.  My GG grandfather, Nathan, doesn’t show up again until the 1910 census.

According to a letter I received from a relative in 2001, Jefferson died in the late 1800s and was buried in Hawkins Cemetery, Ozark County, MO.  Unfortunately I’ve lost contact with them and haven’t been able to reach them through the mail.  Other information included Jefferson’s siblings (Beckie, Martha, Obb, John, and Sam) and Eliza’s name (Saraha Runnels) and birthplace (Illinois).  So far I haven’t been able to confirm any of the details in the letter.

Further research will probably focus on the 1850 and 1860 censuses and any online databases from that era.  If I could locate Jefferson or Eliza (although first I need to find her maiden name) in those census records they would probably still be living with their parents, pushing my family tree back another generation.  Locating any of their vital records or burial places would also help.  A research trip to Arkansas and Missouri would help quite a bit.

Family Summary

Jefferson M. Felton (b. abt 1837 TN) + Eliza A. ? (b. abt 1845 IL/MO, d. bef 1880)

Marriage Date/Place: Unknown

Children:

1. Leona H. Felton (b. abt 1862 MO)
2. Nathan Monroe Felton (b. 27 Dec 1863 MO, d. 13 Nov 1946) – My GG grandfather
3. John C. Felton (b. abt Sep 1865 MO, d. 5 Jul 1931 AR)
4. Samuel A. Felton (b. abt 1868 MO)

Sources

• 1870 U.S. Census, population schedule, Missouri, Ozark County, Bayou Township, page no. 3, dwelling 15, family 15, M. J. Felton household; digital image, Ancestry.com.
• 1880 U.S. Census, population schedule, Missouri, Ozark County, Bayou Township, Enumeration District 110, page no. 8, dwelling 73, family 75, Jefferson Felton household; digital image, Ancestry.com.
• Letter from Private Name to Jason Felton, 2 Jan 2001.