Person:Thomas Jones (230)

Identity

Hoyt identifies several Thomas Jones in the colonies during this time-frame: two Thomas Jones in Charlestown, Thomas Jones the tailor who came on the Confidence with wife Ann and 4 children under 10 years; Thomas Jones of Gloucester; Thomas Jones of Hampton, NH; and Thomas Jones of Kittery, Maine.

What we know of this Thomas Jones, is that he had a will, a copy of which was forwarded to the Mass. Courts from the secretary of Barbadoes. This is found in the probate administration of his son, John Jones of Newbury, who made his will, dated July 17, 1676, in anticipation of a sea voyage. ^S2 In the inventory of John Jones, appears "his third part of his plantation in the Barbados, 100li."

It is possible that Thomas Jones, may have been the Thomas Jones on the "Confidence" in 1638 with wife Ann (as John names his mother Anne White in his will). However, Hoyt only states "a Thomas Jones." Additionally, that Thomas Jones is described as a tailor and it appears that this Thomas Jones was involved in trade, having a will in Barbadoes, and his son has a 1/3 share of a plantation in Barbadoes, undoubtedly bequeathed to him, as he was under age in 1676. While occupations on ship passenger lists are not necessarily an indication of the trade pursued in the colonies, it is a leap to progress from tailor to what appears to be a merchant, or even a ship captain with interests in Barbadoes. John Jones describes himself as a "ship carpenter" in his will. If Thomas was a tailor, his son did not follow in his footsteps.

Caution should be exercised to avoid confusing facts belonging to the other Thomas Jones' in the colonies at that time.

1. ↑ Thomas Jones, in Hoyt, David W. The Old Families of Salisbury and Amesbury, Massachusetts. (Providence, RI, 1897-1919)
   p. 218.

   Thomas Jones, of Newbury (abt. 1637?); was of Charlestown in 1650, by deed at Sm. A Thomas Jones of Gonsham, or Caversham, "taylor," aged 36, with wife Ann and four chil. under 10 yrs., came in the "Confidence" 1638. Ann, wid. of Thomas Jones, m. March 14, 1664-5(Nb), Capt. Paul White of Nb. Both members of Nb. chh. 1674. Children: John, b. _, res. Nb., prob. d. unm. 1676 or 7.; Mary b _, "only dau.;" m. June 12, 1672 (Nb), Mr. Thomas Woodbridge. Perhaps other children; if so, probably sons.

2.   John Jones, in Massachusetts, Probate Court (Essex County). The Probate Records of Essex County, Massachusetts. (Salem, Massachusetts: The Essex Institute, 1916, 1917, 1920)
   3:194.

   "Whereas John Jones of Newbury died intestate and under age, and there had been produced in this court an authentic copy under the hand of the secretary of Barbadoes of the will of Thomas Jones, father of said John, in which it was provided that if John Jones should die under age, his estate should revert to the only daughter, now wife of Thomas Woodbridge of Newbury"