Jones Family of Early Jamestown & First Witch Trial

JONES FAMILY OF EARLY JAMESTOWN & FIRST WITCH TRIAL

BY WANDA WARE DEGIDIO

WWDEGIDIO@GMAIL.COM

11/11/2019

THOMAS JONES, SR. (c1592-c1650) m. MARGARET ______ and together they sailed to Virginia on the "London Merchant" in 1619 or 1620. "Thomas Jones by London Merchant, Margrett his wife by the same ship." On February 16, 1624, they were living in "the Maine” near Jamestown [Kecoughtan, 20 miles up river from Jamestown also referred to Capt. Roger Smith's Plantation 'over the water'] and were still residing there on January 30, 1625, when a muster was made of that area's inhabitants.

LISTS OF THE LIVINGE & DEAD IN VIRGINIA, February 16th, 1623 In the Maine. Richard Atkins, uxor Atkins, William Baker, Edward Oliver, Samuell Morris, Robert Davis, Robert Lunthorne, John Vernie, Thomas Wood, Thomas Rees ,Michael Batt, uxor Batt, vidua Tindall, Mr. Stafferton, uxor Stafferton, John Fisher, John Rose, Thomas Thornegood, John Badston, Susan Blackwood, Thomas Rinston (or Rinfton), Robert Scottismore, Roger Kid, Nicholas Bullington, Nicholas Marttin, John Carter, Christopher Hall,David Ellis, uxor Ellis, John Frogmorton, Robert Marshall, Thomas Snow (orig Swnow)John Smith, Lawrance Smalpage, Thomas Crosse,Thomas Prichard, Richard Crouch, Christopher Redhead, Henry Richard Carven, uxor Carven, John Howell, William Burtt, William Stocker, Nicholas Roote, Sara Kiddall, infant Kiddall infant Kiddall, Edward Booth, Fisher,Richard Smith,John Wolrich,Mrs. Wolrich, Jonathin Giles, Christopher Ripen, Thomas Banks, Frances Butcher, Henry Daivlen,Arthur Chandler,Richard Sanders,Thomas Helcott,Thomas Hichcocke,Griffine Greene,Thomas Osbourn,Richard Downes,William Laurell,T homas Jordan, Edward Busbee, Henry Turner,Joshua Crew,Robert Hutchinson,Thomas Jones, uxor Jones,Reignold Morecocke, uxor Morecocke,Richard Bridgewatter, uxor Bridgewatter,Mr. Thomas Bun,Mrs. Bun,Thomas Smith,Elizabeth Hodges,William Kemp, uxor Kemp,Hugh Baldwine, uxor Baldwine,John Wilmose,Thomas Doe, uxor Doe,George Fryer, uxor Fryer,Stephen Webb..

It may be significant that the General Court in January, 1626, reiterated the permission given "to the inhabitants of Pasbehaye to remove themselves from that place." No restraint would be placed on them "nor any other the inhabitants of the Maine to stay and inhabit there." Perhaps, the insecurity of being on the "Governor's Land" was one reason that these "free men" could, and wanted to, leave. The reasons offered, however, were "the barreness of the ground whereon they plant," "the badness of their utterly decayed houses" and "their small strength & ability to hold & defend the same place."

HOTTEN BOOK FROM THE MUSTERS OF THE INHABITANTS IN VIRGINIE 1624/1625 The following entiries were obtained from the Hotten book from the Musters of the Inhabitants in Virginia 1624/1625 chapters, pages 201 thru 265, which lists the muster captain, and what ship the individual arrived on. Attkins, Richard, aged 24 at muster, Mulberie Island, servant to Capt William Pierce. Wife, Abigall on the Abigail. Bourbicth, Edward at muster at James City. Branch, Christopher, his wife, Mary and Thomas, 9 mos at muster Bridgewater, Richard, with wife Isabell.Crew, Joseph Culley, Samuell, muster at Martin's Hundred. Frier, Ursula, wife to George on William & Thomas. Hall, Susan, wife of John on the John & Francis. Jones, Thomas and wife Margaret. Milnhouse, John, aged 36 at muster as a Governor's Man at Pasbehaighs, James City. Moyses, Theoder Potter, Ann, at muster at Elizabeth City, under John Ward, wife to Henrie, unk ship? Smith, Richard Turner, Henery.

21 AUG 1626 THOMAS JONES WAS CHARGED WITH DISORDERLY CONDUCT AFTER CHARGING HIS FRIEND AND NEIGHBOR OF COMMITTING ADULTERY WITH HIS WIFE MARGARET WHICH ROBERT HUTCHINSON REPEATEDLY AND LOUDLY DENIED. Robert Hutchinson and John Osborne his neighbor, and a man named Thomas Jones were “Punished and Fined for drinking and Quarreling and other Abuses at unlawful and unreasonable Howers of the Night to the Disturbance of the whole Plantation”. The Minutes of Jamestown, P108. Uppon oathes of Cuthbert Peersones, EUzabeth Morecock. and Iszabelle Bridgwater. It is ordered yt whereas it appeareth by these severall testimonies, That Thomas Jones, Robert Hutchinsone and John Osborne had severally disordered and misbehaved themselfs in drinking and quarrellinge and other abuses at unlawfull and unreasonable houers of the night, To the disturbance of the whole plantatione they shalbe punished and fined accordinge to the late act of generall assembly in that case made and provided, and it is further ordered yt they and every of them shall give a bond of fortie pound apiece w'th sufficyent securitie to the good behaviour between this and the next courte daye beinge the XXVIIP^ day of this moneth of August.

11 SEP 1626 THOMAS JONES TESTAMONY AT THE WITCHCRAFT TRIAL OF MIDWIFE JOAN WRIGHT Lt. Giles Allington sworne and examined sayeth, That he harde Sargeant Booth saye that he was croste by a woman and for a twelve months space he havinge very fayre game to shute at, yet he could never kill any thinge but this deponent cannot say that it was good wife Wright. Fourther this deponent sayeth, that he had spoken to good wife Wrighte for to bringe his wiefe to bed, but the saide goodwief beinge left handed, his wiefe desired him to get Mrs Grave to be her midwiefe, which this deponent did, and sayeth that the next daye after his wife was delivered, the saide goodwife Wright went awaye from his howse very much discontented, in regarde the other midwife had brought his wife to bedd, shortlie after this, this deponents wiefes brest grew dangerouslie sore of an Imposture and was a moneth or 5 weeks before she was recovered, Att which tyme This deponent him selfe fell sick and contynued the space of three weeks, And further sayeth that his childe after it was borne fell sick and soe contynued the space of two moneths, and afterwards recovered, And so did Contynue well for the space of a moneth, And afterwards fell into extreeme payne the space of five weeks and so departed. Rebecka Graye sworne and examined sayeth That good wief Wright did tell her this deponent That by one Token which this deponent had in her forehed she should burye her Husbande, And fourther sayeth that good wiefe Wright did tell this deponent that she told Mr ffellgate he should bury his wiefe (which cam to pass) And further this deponent sayeth that goodwiefe Wright did tell this deponent, That she tolde Thomas Harris he should burie his first wiefe being then bethrothed unto him (which cam so to pass) further this deponent sayeth that goodwife Wright did tell her that there was a woman said to her Thomas Jones sworne and examined sayeth, that Sargeant Booth told him that goodwiefe Wright would have had som what of him, which the saide Sargeant Booth either would nott or could nott give her, and as this deponent thinketh it was a peece of flesh, And after the said Sargeant Booth went foorth with his peece, and cam to good game and very fayre to shoote at, But for a longe tyme after he could never kill any thinge.

ARTICLE FROM TALES OF VIRGINA ABOUT THE FIRST WITCH OF VIRGINIA While not widely known for witches, the Commonwealth state of Virginia is historically the legal birthplace of witchcraft in the states.The first individual legally accused of performing witchery in the states was Joan Wright of Surry County. The case of Joan Wright is reported as the earliest allegation of witchcraft on record in North America. Joan Wright, a midwife by profession, was accused by neighbors of casting witching spells that resulted in the decay of crops and livestock and predicting the deaths of various fellow colonists throughout the community. Most shocking is the claim that the midwife caused the death of a newborn out of revenge for being denied services. Based on the claims of the accusers, the court was forced to hold a trial and follow the witch statute passed in 1604 titled “An Act against Conjuration Witchcraft” when dealing with the accused (more on this statue in an upcoming prompt).The official court proceeding for the persecuted commenced in September of 1626. The court heard all detailed accounts of the accusation. In the end, the accused witch’s husband swore to the court that his wife had not been involved in any crime. However, Joan eerily admitted to having knowledge of witchcraft practices – even so, she was not convicted and acquitted of the legal accusation. The accusers were ordered to pay for related court costs. Fraudulent cases were deemed as costing by the courts and the false accuser was typically required to pay a fine of 1,000 pounds of tobacco.

12 OCT 1626 THOMAS JONES CHARGED ROBERT HUTCHINSON WITH ADULTERY (THIS EXPLAINS THE QUARRELING AND DISTURBANCE OF THE WHOLE PLANTATION). Robert Hutchinson of James City charged and convicted of adultery with Margaret Jones and fined 300 pounds of tobacco.

12 OCT 1626 ROBERT HUTCHINSON CHARGED WITH LOUD OUTBURST, HE CLAIMED HE WAS WRONGFULLY PUNISHED In ye presence of ye Court Robert Hutchinson having been formerly punished for aldultery with Margaret Jones by ye Governor, Counsell said in ye open Court with over repetitions & with a loud voice, my conscience telleth me I have been wronglyfully punished: Hereuppon ye Court for ye insolent and uncivill behaviour of ye said Hutchinson, doe adjudge and condemne him in ye forfeiture of fortye pounds in ye with he staneth already bound to ye Governor uppon his good behavior, and it is furthered ordered yt ye said Hutchinson doe againe enter into bond of three hunderd pounds waight of Tobacco unto ye Governor for his good behaviour and more especially in his carriage of himself concerninge ye said Margaret Jones. The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 3 edited by Philip Alexander Bruce, William Glover Stanard, p. 354.

10 OCT 1626 MARGARET JONES WAS CHARGED WITH ATTACKING JOHN BUTTERFIELD Steven Webb sworne and examined sayeth yt the last night he heard Margarett ye wife of Thomas Jones say that there was never a man breething should keep her from going to Paspehay [an outpost near Jamestown] w 'th her husband, And yt after ye reading of the warrant shee also said yt for noe mortall man she would goe to James Towne except Mrs Allington went And further this deponent sayeth yt about one month agoe John Butterfeld came to this deponents wife all behloudyed over her face, & sayd yt Goodwife Jones had beat him and further this deponent deponent say eth yt the next day after this as hee remembereth being Sonday in ye morning, the said Butterfield went into his own plot of Lease to gather son e, whereuppon the wife of Thomas Jones follow cd him & would not suffer him to gather any, then this deponent came thither & found them Skuffling together & shee striving to take away his bagg then this deponent asked Butterfield if hee were a man, & desired him to give leave to this des onent to gather some rease, w "ch when Butterfeld bid him to doe, & hee stooping and gathering some the said Margarett Jones slew uppon this deponent & strucke him w”th a tobacco stalk, then their came in Goodman writte [Robert Wright] who qualifyed her. Morover this deponent sayeth that before all this when they gathered tobacco, hee saw John Butterfield come with a scratched face when he had before heard a great out crye yt the said Margarett Jones & ye said Butterfield had made Thomas Gray sworne & examined sayeth & affirmeth as much as Steven Webb hath done concerninge Margarett Jones her beating and scratching John Butterfield. Left.

Giles Allington sworn & examined sayeth, yt about a month agoe there being a falling out betweene John Butterfield & Margarett Jones at ye water side, the said Margarett haveing scratched him ye said John, then this deponent hearing the said Margarett make a clamor & cry for aid, this deponent went presently downe & found her w 'th her hair about her eyes & her face all scratched: then shee coming to ye house began to raile at her husband in this manner, thou base rascall wilt thou not take my part, what care I for yt. Thomas Moulton sworne & examined sayeth & affirmeth in all points as much as the aforesaid Giles Allington hath done. 4. It is ordered, for ye severall offences aforenamed of the said Margarett Jones, yt shee be toughed [towed] or dragged at a boats sterne in ye River fro’ ye shoare unto the Margarett & John & thence unto ye shoare againe 5. In ye presence of ye Court one Robert Hutchinson, having bene formerly punished for adultery with Margarett Jones by ye Governor & Counsell said in ye open Court woth often repetitions & w 'th a loud vo,ce, my conscience telleth me I have been wrongfully punished: Hereupon ye Court for ye insolent & uncivill behaviour of ye said Hutchinson do aiudge & condemne him in ye forfeiture of fortye pounds, in ye wh'c he standeth allready bound to ye Governor uppon his good behavior, & it is further ordered yt ye said Hutchinson doe againe enter into bond of fiftye pounds sterling three hundred pounds waight ot Tobacco unto ye governor for his good behavior, & more especially in his carriage of himselfe concerninge ye said Margaret Jones.

MY NOTE: STEVEN WEBB SAID HE HEARD A GREAT CRY FROM MARGARET JONES AND JOHN BUTTERFIELD, AGE 26. GILES ALLINGTON SAID HE WITNESSED MARGARET AND JOHN HAVING A FALLING OUT BY THE WATER A MONTH EARLIER AS WELL. ON THE 2ND 'FALLING OUT', TESTIMONY SHOWS MARGARET ATTACKED HIM FOR NO REASON WHILE HE WAS GATHERINE PEAS FROM HIS GARDEN. GILES ALLINGTON ACCUSED MIDWIFE JOAN WRIGHT OF BEING A WITCH, AND MARGARET'S HUSBAND, THOMAS, TESTIFIED A MONTH EARLIER AGAINST JOAN WRIGHT. THE CHARGES WERE DISMISSED AFTER JOAN'S HUSBAND, ROBERT, TESTIFIED ON HER BEHALF. COURT RECORDS SHOW MARGARET WAS UPSET AT HER HUSBAND FOR NOT COMING TO ASSIST HER AGAINST JOHN BUTTERFIELD IN THE 2ND ALTERCATION. ROBERT WRIGHT GAVE TESTIMONY AGAINST MARGARET ALSO. JOHN BUTTERFIELD CAUSED MARGARET TO BECOME VERY ANGRY ON THE 1ST OCCASION WHILE THEY WERE AT THE WATER. HE MAY HAVE REPEATED THIS AGAIN TO SETOFF THE 2ND ALTERCATION. MY GUESS WOULD BE HE MADE A COMMMENT ABOUT HER OUT OF THE EAR SHOT OF OTHERS REGARDING HER HUSBAND CHARGING ROBERT HUTCHINSON WITH ADULTERY. PURITANS DEFINED ADULTERY AS ANY ACT OF FORNICATION WITH A MARRIED OR BETROTHED WOMAN. ADULTERY COULD BE CHARGED WHEN THE BEHAVIOR OF THE ACCUSED PARTY HAD ONLY BEEN THROUGH HIS SUGGESTED INTENTIONS. THE WOMAN WOULD NOT BE CHARGED. THE CHARGE OF ADULTERY COULD STEM FROM THE HUSBAND HAVING PERCEIVED THAT HIS FRIEND WAS FLIRTING WITH HIS WIFE AND NOTHING MORE.

Five years later on July 15, 1631, Margaret Jones appears to be without her husband as she was one of the Virginia planters who asked the Crown for relief from customs duties. Her hogsheads of tobacco were marked with her initials, MJ. She may have been divorced from Thomas or he was deceased prior to that date.

It is not known if any children were born to Thomas and Margaret Jones or if she remarried.