Person:John Jones (332)

About John Jones

John Jones is said to have been born 1737 in Maryland [need sources]. He married 1st, Ann Ridgely abt. 1759, likely in Maryland. After her death in abt. 1783, he married 2nd, to Hannah _______, prior to the writing of his will in 1804. There is a marriage record of a John Jones and Hannah Baily on 5 November 1785 in Chester County, Pennsylvania [Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1835, Chester County, PA, New Garden Monthly Meeting] that COULD pertain to this John Jones, but additional research is needed to determine if it was for this John Jones, or a different one. John Jones "of Franklin Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania", wrote his will on 23 July 1804 and it was proven in Greene County, Pennsylvania Court on 7 July 1817, as shown below:.

Will Transcript

No. 297, Will of John Jones

In the name of God Amen, I John Jones of Franklin Township in Greene County and State of Pennsylvania being in perfect mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of this life do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say, First, I give my Soul to God who gave it and my body to the earth to be intered in a cristian [sic.] manner.

Item I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Hannah Jones for and during the term of her natural life the one third part of the place on which I now live and also the one third part of all my personal property, during her natural life and her bed and bedding, I bequeath and give unto the said Hannah absolutely, to be disposed of by her as she may think proper at her decease.

Item, I give and bequeath unto my six daughters Cassandra, Mary, Sarah, Elizabeth, Martha and Susannah four hundred of acres of land lying on Middle Island Creek, to be equally divided between them, but should either of my said daughters have deceased before me then the share of such deceased daughter to be given to her children and not to be divided between those who may be alive at my decease, and in case I should sell the said tract of land during my life, then the money arising therefrom shall go and be divided amongst my said daughters (or their children) equally.

Item I give and bequeath unto my Grandson Thomas Jones son of Thomas Jones deceased, and to his heirs forever, a certain tract of land in Brooke County, State of Virginia, known by the name of the "Beach bottom" - containing one hundred and seventy four acres.

Item I give and bequeath unto my son John Jones and to his heirs in fee, a tract of land in Brooke County in the State of Virginia, lying on the Ohio river adjoining Benjamin Huffman on the upper side and Thomas Jones on the lower side.

Item I give and bequeath unto my son Samuel Jones and to his heirs in fee, one hundred and fifty acres of land with the allowance in Morgan township, Greene County and State of Pennsylvania, being part of a tract I purchased of John Smith the lower part of said tract adjoins George Graham, the division line to be and remain as I have divided it.

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Nancy Jones and to heirs in fee one hundred and ten acres of land with the allowance, being part of the tract purchased of John Smith, lying in Morgan township in Greene County, and State of Pennsylvania, and I further give and bequeath unto the said Nancy Jones, one young horse creature, a saddle and bride [bridle], one young cow and calf and a bed and furniture.

Item I give and bequeath unto my son Greenberry Ridgely Jones and to his heirs in fee the tract of land on which I now live adjoining the town of Waynesburgh, one sorrel mare and cold and one saddle and bridle.

And lastly, all the remainder of my personal property, not before mentioned, willed or bequeathed after all my lawful debts are paid, I give and bequeath unto my six eldest daughters, Cassandra, Mary, Sarah, Elizabeth, Martha and Susannah, to be equally divided between them, and in case of their or either of their death, then between their children.

And furthermore it is my will and intention and true meaning that the above bequest to my wife Hannah Jones, shall be a full satisfaction for and in lieu of dower ~ And also if the said Hannah shall not be willing to live in the house with my son Greenberry then it is my Will and intention that the said Greenberry shall erect for the accomodation of the said Hannah and finish a comfortable dwelling house on any part of the place on which I now live, that he the said Greenberry shall think proper.

And I hereby appoint my wife Hannah and my son Greenberry Jones, my Executrix and Executor of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former Wills by me made.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty third day of July in the year of our Lord MDCCCIV 1804.

[Signed] John Jones [Seal]

Signed, Sealed, published and declared by the above John Jones to be his last will and testament in the presence of us

H. Postlethwaite

Robert Adams

Rebeca H. Adams

Greene County S.S.

On the seventh day of May Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventeen, before me William T. Hays, Register for the Probate of Wills and granting letters of Administration in and for said County, personally appeared Robert Adams and Rebecca Adams, two of the subscribing witnesses to the within Will and on thier solemn Oaths did declare that they were present and saw and heard John Jones, the Testator within named, sign, seal, publish and declare the same as and for his last will and testament, and that at the time of doing thereof, he was of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge, observation and belief.

[Signed] Robert Adams

[Signed] Rebeca H. Adams

Sworn and Subscribed the date above written before me.

Wm. T. Hays

Registered 7th May 1817.

1.   Pennsylvania, United States. Pennsylvania, United States. Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993. (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, 2015).

   Name John Jones
   Gender Male
   Residence Date Abt 1804
   Residence Place Franklin Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania
   Will Date 23 Jul 1804
   Probate Date 23 Jul 1804
   [1817 May 7]
   Probate Place Greene, Pennsylvania, USA
   Inferred Death Date 1804
   Inferred Death Place Pennsylvania, USA
   Case Number 297
   Item Description Wills, Vol 1-3, 1796-1862
   Individuals Listed (Name) Relationship
   John Jones Testator
   Hannah Jones Wife
   Cassandra Jones Daughter
   Mary Jones Daughter
   Sarah Jones Daughter
   Elizabeth Jones Daughter
   Martha Jones Daughter
   Susannah Jones Daughter
   Thomas Jones Grandson
   Thomas Jones Son
   John Jones Son
   Samuel Jones Son
   Nancy Jones Daughter
   Greenberry Ridgely Jones Son

2.   Pennsylvania. General Assembly. Septennial Census Returns, 1779-1863. (Harrisburg: Pennsylvania State Archives Series #7.26).

   Name John Jones
   Residence Year 1800
   Residence Place Franklin, Greene, Pennsylvania, USA