Colonial Meriwether Families - Person Sheet
Colonial Meriwether Families - Person Sheet
Spouses
1Col. Thomas Jones 
755,756, WQ9Q-C9, M
755,756, WQ9Q-C9, MBirthLondon, Middlesex, England
Death21 May 1757, Hanover County, Virginia609
Will Probate07 Sep 1758, Hanover County, Virginia297
FlagsVolume 1
Marriage14 Feb 1725758
Notes for Elizabeth Catesby Cocke
PARENTS: William Cocke, M.D. b. 1672, Sudbury, Suffolk, England; d. 20 Oct 1720, Williamsburg, Virginia; buried in floor of Bruton Parish Church. Married 2) Elizabeth Catesby d. 4 Mar 1755, Williamsburg, Virginia (daughter of John Catesby and Elizabeth Jekyll). Elizabeth was the sister of Mark Catesby, the famous Naturalist. William entered Queens College, Cambridge, in 1688, where he took his medical degree in 1693, and was entered to a fellowship , in 1694. He came to this country in _____ and had been Secretary of State for some time when in 1713 he was recommended by Gov. Spotswood to be appointed as a member of the Council. [Virginia Magazine of History & Biography, Vol V, p. 189 and 195] REFN: Petitt web page
Research notes for Elizabeth Catesby Cocke
^DEATH: Northumberland Co.
!NAME-NOTES Petitt web page (notes, Catesby name)
!NAME-NOTES Petitt web page (notes, Catesby name)
Reference notes for Thomas (Spouse 1)
Thomas Jones 297
Thomas Jones, our ancestor, titled colonel; married, on February 14th, 1725, Elizabeth Pratt, widow of William Pratt, a merchant of Gloucester county, Va., and eldest daughter of Dr. (Secretary) William Cocke and his wife Elizabeth Catesby. Col. Jones died in Hanover county, Va., in 1758, sometime prior to September 7th, on which day his will was probated, as appears from an official copy in my possession. His wife died in Northumberland county,
March 11th, 1762. From him are descended all of our known Jones family, except only the children and grandchildren of his brother (3) Frederick, whose names are given in this sketch, and whose residence, so far as known, has been confined to the State of North Carolina.
The first intimation we have of the whereabouts of this gentleman is in the survey of 1702; soon afterward, in 1706, we find him at the Virginia Coffee House, the then favorite stopping place for Virginians in London, where he received from Lady Culpeper the note referred to in my introductory letter. Later in life he was uniformly addressed as colonel, which is said to have been used in Virginia, in early times, as a title of honorable distinction. He took up and patented large bodies of land in Virginia, between the periods of 1702 and 1731. There were granted to him, by patent in 1713, two thousand acres in King William county; also seven hundred and sixty-five acres in the same county; an order was made by the Council May 2d, 1716, allowing him to take up and patent twenty-five thousand acres in Nansemond county; May 2d, 1719, an order for five thousand acres in Henrico county; June 15th, 1726, a grant to him of six thousand acres in Hanover county; March 6th, 1731, an order for four thousand acres in Prince George county. Much of this land he no doubt sold again, and the remainder he divided into plantations, which he cultivated with his slaves, principally in tobacco. The slaves were worked by overseers, who were employed for the purpose, and the tobacco was annually shipped to the cities of Liverpool, London, Glasgow, Bristol and other places.
He was again in London December 6th, 1712, when he entered into an agreement, which I have before me, with one Robert Gary, merchant, of London, by the terms of which a cargo of merchandise valued at £1,464 sterling was consigned to him at Williamsburg. He appears to have been of a social and convivial temperament, and to have maintained quite friendly relations with the colonial governors, at whose mansions he was a frequent visitor. He evidently died well advanced in years, for one of his nieces, of North Carolina, in writing to him some time before his death, takes occasion to congratulate him on his green old age and excellent health.
There are a number of courtship letters in my possession which were written by him to the lady he afterwards married, full of tenderness, indeed, but evidently written by an old bachelor. He settled on his wife by marriage articles eighty slaves and their increase, besides a quantity of valuable land, and several houses and lots in Williamsburg.
Both he and his wife were principal people in the colony, and both had an extensive and highly creditable acquaintance in England, where they frequently visited.
He appears to have had extensive dealings with a certain Sir John Randolph of London, perhaps latterly of Virginia, to whom he had made large shipments of tobacco, extending through a period of many years, until Sir John's decease.
He also, about the same period, had some business transactions and complications with one Capt. Edward Randolph, who about that time made an assignment for the benefit of creditors. The death of the one and the assignment of the other appears to have greatly complicated matters, and necessitated a good deal of correspondence between Col. Jones and Cols. William and Richard Randolph as executors of Sir John. In one of these letters, dated Hanover, Oct. 4th, 1755, he writes, "I wrote to Coll. Richard Randolph concerning my affairs in his hands as executr. of Sr. John Randolph." * * *
In another, of date April 6th, 1 741, he writes, "I now trouble you with the case betwixt the assignees of Mr. Edward Randolph and me." I have also a letter to him from Sir John Randolph, dated Oct. nth, 1 729.
It was this Col. Jones who wrote the two letters of 1728, and the description of arms heretofore alluded to. He was evidently much in love with his wife, who, although a widow, was not twenty-four years of age when he married her.
Thomas Jones, our ancestor, titled colonel; married, on February 14th, 1725, Elizabeth Pratt, widow of William Pratt, a merchant of Gloucester county, Va., and eldest daughter of Dr. (Secretary) William Cocke and his wife Elizabeth Catesby. Col. Jones died in Hanover county, Va., in 1758, sometime prior to September 7th, on which day his will was probated, as appears from an official copy in my possession. His wife died in Northumberland county,
March 11th, 1762. From him are descended all of our known Jones family, except only the children and grandchildren of his brother (3) Frederick, whose names are given in this sketch, and whose residence, so far as known, has been confined to the State of North Carolina.
The first intimation we have of the whereabouts of this gentleman is in the survey of 1702; soon afterward, in 1706, we find him at the Virginia Coffee House, the then favorite stopping place for Virginians in London, where he received from Lady Culpeper the note referred to in my introductory letter. Later in life he was uniformly addressed as colonel, which is said to have been used in Virginia, in early times, as a title of honorable distinction. He took up and patented large bodies of land in Virginia, between the periods of 1702 and 1731. There were granted to him, by patent in 1713, two thousand acres in King William county; also seven hundred and sixty-five acres in the same county; an order was made by the Council May 2d, 1716, allowing him to take up and patent twenty-five thousand acres in Nansemond county; May 2d, 1719, an order for five thousand acres in Henrico county; June 15th, 1726, a grant to him of six thousand acres in Hanover county; March 6th, 1731, an order for four thousand acres in Prince George county. Much of this land he no doubt sold again, and the remainder he divided into plantations, which he cultivated with his slaves, principally in tobacco. The slaves were worked by overseers, who were employed for the purpose, and the tobacco was annually shipped to the cities of Liverpool, London, Glasgow, Bristol and other places.
He was again in London December 6th, 1712, when he entered into an agreement, which I have before me, with one Robert Gary, merchant, of London, by the terms of which a cargo of merchandise valued at £1,464 sterling was consigned to him at Williamsburg. He appears to have been of a social and convivial temperament, and to have maintained quite friendly relations with the colonial governors, at whose mansions he was a frequent visitor. He evidently died well advanced in years, for one of his nieces, of North Carolina, in writing to him some time before his death, takes occasion to congratulate him on his green old age and excellent health.
There are a number of courtship letters in my possession which were written by him to the lady he afterwards married, full of tenderness, indeed, but evidently written by an old bachelor. He settled on his wife by marriage articles eighty slaves and their increase, besides a quantity of valuable land, and several houses and lots in Williamsburg.
Both he and his wife were principal people in the colony, and both had an extensive and highly creditable acquaintance in England, where they frequently visited.
He appears to have had extensive dealings with a certain Sir John Randolph of London, perhaps latterly of Virginia, to whom he had made large shipments of tobacco, extending through a period of many years, until Sir John's decease.
He also, about the same period, had some business transactions and complications with one Capt. Edward Randolph, who about that time made an assignment for the benefit of creditors. The death of the one and the assignment of the other appears to have greatly complicated matters, and necessitated a good deal of correspondence between Col. Jones and Cols. William and Richard Randolph as executors of Sir John. In one of these letters, dated Hanover, Oct. 4th, 1755, he writes, "I wrote to Coll. Richard Randolph concerning my affairs in his hands as executr. of Sr. John Randolph." * * *
In another, of date April 6th, 1 741, he writes, "I now trouble you with the case betwixt the assignees of Mr. Edward Randolph and me." I have also a letter to him from Sir John Randolph, dated Oct. nth, 1 729.
It was this Col. Jones who wrote the two letters of 1728, and the description of arms heretofore alluded to. He was evidently much in love with his wife, who, although a widow, was not twenty-four years of age when he married her.
Reference notes for Thomas (Spouse 1)
Thomas was a vestryman of Bruton Parish; member of House of Burgeses for the College of William & Mary 1720-1722; and member of the First Board of Alderman. (Petitt web page)
Parents: Capt. Roger Jones and Dorothy Walker.
Parents: Capt. Roger Jones and Dorothy Walker.
Notes for Thomas & Elizabeth Catesby (Family)
Children: 759
1. Thomas Jones b. 25 Dec 1726.
2. Dorothea Jones b. 2 Feb 1727; d. abt 1780; dsp.
3. Catesby Jones b. 6 Mar 1730; d. Dec 1747, small pox.
4. Frederick Jones b. 7 Jul 1732
5. Williams Jones b. 25 Oct 1734
6. Jekyll Jones b. 25 Apr 1737; d. abt Oct 1737 (age 5m)
7. Lucy Jones b. 25 Aug 1738
8. Anne Jones b. 15 Feb 1739; d. abt. 1780-1783
2. Dorothea Jones… married first, Geo. Donald, merchant, of Glasgow, Scotland; second, Mr. Arbuthnot, and died about 1780, leaving no issue by either marriage. Her first husband was a wealthy merchant of Glasgow, but he subsequently resided awhile in Henrico county, Va., where he died in 1776. He devised his estate to his widow, except a legacy left to each of his two sisters, Isabella and Margaret, of Scotland. This family of Donalds were cultivated people of high social standing, not only in Virginia, but also in Scotland, where they owned country seats and did a large mercantile business. There are several letters in my possession which were written by different members of this family in Scotland to this lady's mother, Mrs. Jones, and they express the greatest respect and friendship for her and all her family. Dorothea devised the greater part of her estate to her brother William and his daughter Elizabeth.
4. Frederick*Jones, founder of the Swann branch, of North Carolina, born July 7th, 1732; married Jan. 10th, 1758, his cousin Jane Swann, of North Carolina, and took up his residence in that colony. The residence of his father-in-law, Samuel Swann, was called "The Oaks." I am informed by one of his descendants of North Carolina, that Fred read law under his kinsman Samuel Swann, and became an active and successful member of that profession. The name of his only son was changed from Jones to Swann, by the persuasion of his bachelor grand-uncle, John Swann, supplemented, no doubt, by prospects of an ample inheritance. His descendants, at the present time, are known only by their adopted name. He often visited his brothers and relatives in Virginia, where we find him as late as 1791.
7. Lucy Jones, born August 25th, 1738 ; married i" 1757 John Smith, a gentleman of good estate and high social standing. Their children were, in 1770, one son and six daughters. Elizabeth, one of the daughters, whose god-mother was Sarah Barradall, of Williamsburg, received a legacy under the will of her grandmother Jones. There were marriage articles between her and her husband.
8. Anne Jones, born Feby. 15th, 1739; married, 1757-8, James Burwell, of "King's Creek," Virginia, which was the name of his family seat. King's Creek was doubtless in James City county, not far from Williamsburg, on York river, and near a creek of the same name.
She died, it is inferred, about 1780-3, having sur- vived her husband several years, and leaving the following children: Nathaniel; James; Lucy, who, it is said, married Bishop John Ravenscroft; and perhaps other daughters. Her husband dying before entails were abolished, the eldest son Nat inherited the ample estate to the exclusion of his brothers and sisters. King's Creek appears to have been an early burial ground for some family, for Mrs. Burwell's uncle Catesby Cocke, in writing to her mother, 1753, in regard to a tombstone which he had ordered from England for his father's grave, says, "I have ordered it to be landed at our nephew Jemmy Burwell's plantation at King's Creek, & if it has the fortune to get there, it will fall into most suitable Company, for you know that has long been a place of Tombs."
There are among our papers a number of letters from Mr. Burwell to his brother-in-law, Col. Thos. Jones, which are written in a scholarly style, and are full of affectionate respect for him and his family, being invariably signed "Your affectionate brother."
This lady's brother, William Jones, in a letter to his brother Thomas, dated Sept. 9th, 1757, writes, "Our brother Burwell and his lady and his sister went from hence on Friday last, and Col. Burwell's coach met them at New Kent Courthouse, which conveyed them home that night ; Bettie Burwell is a fine plump girl, hath a good deal of sense and
vivacity, and behaves herself extremely well; if I was Capt. of a ship (which I might have been if I had kept to the sea) I wou'd lay her aboard."
9. Dr. Walter Jones, M. D., father of the eminent lawyer Gen. Walter Jones, born Dec. 18th, 1745; for many years a student of medicine at Edinburgh, Scotland, where he graduated with the degree of M. D., June 12th, 1769; was an eminent physician of extensive practice; was a member of Congress in 1806, and afterward, from the famous Westmoreland district.
His residence, called "Hayfield," was in Lancaster county. At a very early period he was sent to school at William and Mary College, in Williamsburg, where he became the schoolmate and fast friend of many youths who afterward became conspicuous in their country's history. Thos. Jefferson was there, and Bathurst Skelton, rivals even then for the hand of little Miss Wayles; and the friendship there begun or cemented between him and Bathurst and Jefferson continued during their lives. In a letter written by him at this time to his brother Thomas, whose wife was a sister of Bathurst Skelton, he mentions Bathurst, who was his room-mate, and says, "Bathurst desires me to tell his sister, that he would have wrote her a Dozen Letters but could not tell what to put in them, but he still says, that if she insists upon it, he will write her a Sheet of Compliments & Love, &c., &c., &c., he is also learning French & is much the most Studious Person in the College." He, Walter, was a red-hot radical adherent to the principles of free government, and was in full sympathy with the colonies in all their struggles for independence; so much so, that he attracted the loyal attention of the faculty, on at least one occasion, when he thought it prudent to retire into the country for a brief season.
At Edinburgh he early enjoyed the reputation of being a young man of great promise, both socially and as a student.
Mr. George Donald, under date of Oct. 8th, 1769, writes: "Enclosed you'll rece a letter from your brother Walter wch came to my hands some days ago. This will no doubt inform you that he has taken his degree of M. D., and that he intends to Virginia in the Spring. I have the pleasure also to inform you that among the several letters I have lately received from Scotland, Dr. Jones is mentioned as a person of the first merit. A very sensible gentleman in Glasgow (Mr. Kippen) particularly says that Dr. Jones is the most shining young gent, of his profession now in Edinburg, and that he will make a great figure wherever he goes. Mr. McMiken who is just returned from Scotland speaks of Mr. Jones as a gent. of great reputation, and which is not alone confined to his profession." * * * In a letter dated London, July 23d, 1769, Dr. Walter writes to his brother Thomas: "I have heard of poor Bathurst's death for several months — it was not less grievous
than unexpected—he really was amongst those friends who I thought with some confidence would welcome my return, should it happen—the news shocked me in a peculiar manner, as I had not very long before heard of his marriage with Miss Wayles, and had with pleasure reflected on the happiness he must enjoy with a woman the accomplishments of whose person I was acquainted with and the more valuable disposition of whose mind I have heard with praises from all who knew her." After taking his degree at Edinburgh, he attended lectures another season and returned to Virginia in 1770, where he at once entered upon the active duties of the profession which he pursued with distinguished success until his death. He was great-uncle and guardian of grandpa Jones and his sisters. With reference to one of his canvasses for Congress, we extract the following from Garland's Life of John Randolph, page 120: "By such persuasions as these Gen. Lee was induced to offer himself as a candidate for congress in Westmoreland district—Westmoreland, the birth-place of Washington! On the other hand by the persuasions of Mr. Jefferson Dr. Walter Jones came out in opposition to him. The canvass between these two champions of adverse wishes and sentiments was very animated. In colloquial eloquence and irony, no man could surpass Dr. Jones; but he was overmatched by his antagonist in popular address and public eloquence." * * *
Mr. Jefferson is said to have been very fond of Dr. Jones' society, and they were together a great deal when in Washington.
10. Elizabeth Jones, the tenth child of Col. Thomas Jones; born Jan. 26th, 1748; married Dr. Flood, and died about 1775, leaving three children, one of whom, William P. Flood, received by devise from a Dr. William Savage, nephew of Dr. Walter Jones' father-in-law, a large estate in lands, houses, and lots, situated near Edenton, North Carolina.
1. Thomas Jones b. 25 Dec 1726.
2. Dorothea Jones b. 2 Feb 1727; d. abt 1780; dsp.
3. Catesby Jones b. 6 Mar 1730; d. Dec 1747, small pox.
4. Frederick Jones b. 7 Jul 1732
5. Williams Jones b. 25 Oct 1734
6. Jekyll Jones b. 25 Apr 1737; d. abt Oct 1737 (age 5m)
7. Lucy Jones b. 25 Aug 1738
8. Anne Jones b. 15 Feb 1739; d. abt. 1780-1783
2. Dorothea Jones… married first, Geo. Donald, merchant, of Glasgow, Scotland; second, Mr. Arbuthnot, and died about 1780, leaving no issue by either marriage. Her first husband was a wealthy merchant of Glasgow, but he subsequently resided awhile in Henrico county, Va., where he died in 1776. He devised his estate to his widow, except a legacy left to each of his two sisters, Isabella and Margaret, of Scotland. This family of Donalds were cultivated people of high social standing, not only in Virginia, but also in Scotland, where they owned country seats and did a large mercantile business. There are several letters in my possession which were written by different members of this family in Scotland to this lady's mother, Mrs. Jones, and they express the greatest respect and friendship for her and all her family. Dorothea devised the greater part of her estate to her brother William and his daughter Elizabeth.
4. Frederick*Jones, founder of the Swann branch, of North Carolina, born July 7th, 1732; married Jan. 10th, 1758, his cousin Jane Swann, of North Carolina, and took up his residence in that colony. The residence of his father-in-law, Samuel Swann, was called "The Oaks." I am informed by one of his descendants of North Carolina, that Fred read law under his kinsman Samuel Swann, and became an active and successful member of that profession. The name of his only son was changed from Jones to Swann, by the persuasion of his bachelor grand-uncle, John Swann, supplemented, no doubt, by prospects of an ample inheritance. His descendants, at the present time, are known only by their adopted name. He often visited his brothers and relatives in Virginia, where we find him as late as 1791.
7. Lucy Jones, born August 25th, 1738 ; married i" 1757 John Smith, a gentleman of good estate and high social standing. Their children were, in 1770, one son and six daughters. Elizabeth, one of the daughters, whose god-mother was Sarah Barradall, of Williamsburg, received a legacy under the will of her grandmother Jones. There were marriage articles between her and her husband.
8. Anne Jones, born Feby. 15th, 1739; married, 1757-8, James Burwell, of "King's Creek," Virginia, which was the name of his family seat. King's Creek was doubtless in James City county, not far from Williamsburg, on York river, and near a creek of the same name.
She died, it is inferred, about 1780-3, having sur- vived her husband several years, and leaving the following children: Nathaniel; James; Lucy, who, it is said, married Bishop John Ravenscroft; and perhaps other daughters. Her husband dying before entails were abolished, the eldest son Nat inherited the ample estate to the exclusion of his brothers and sisters. King's Creek appears to have been an early burial ground for some family, for Mrs. Burwell's uncle Catesby Cocke, in writing to her mother, 1753, in regard to a tombstone which he had ordered from England for his father's grave, says, "I have ordered it to be landed at our nephew Jemmy Burwell's plantation at King's Creek, & if it has the fortune to get there, it will fall into most suitable Company, for you know that has long been a place of Tombs."
There are among our papers a number of letters from Mr. Burwell to his brother-in-law, Col. Thos. Jones, which are written in a scholarly style, and are full of affectionate respect for him and his family, being invariably signed "Your affectionate brother."
This lady's brother, William Jones, in a letter to his brother Thomas, dated Sept. 9th, 1757, writes, "Our brother Burwell and his lady and his sister went from hence on Friday last, and Col. Burwell's coach met them at New Kent Courthouse, which conveyed them home that night ; Bettie Burwell is a fine plump girl, hath a good deal of sense and
vivacity, and behaves herself extremely well; if I was Capt. of a ship (which I might have been if I had kept to the sea) I wou'd lay her aboard."
9. Dr. Walter Jones, M. D., father of the eminent lawyer Gen. Walter Jones, born Dec. 18th, 1745; for many years a student of medicine at Edinburgh, Scotland, where he graduated with the degree of M. D., June 12th, 1769; was an eminent physician of extensive practice; was a member of Congress in 1806, and afterward, from the famous Westmoreland district.
His residence, called "Hayfield," was in Lancaster county. At a very early period he was sent to school at William and Mary College, in Williamsburg, where he became the schoolmate and fast friend of many youths who afterward became conspicuous in their country's history. Thos. Jefferson was there, and Bathurst Skelton, rivals even then for the hand of little Miss Wayles; and the friendship there begun or cemented between him and Bathurst and Jefferson continued during their lives. In a letter written by him at this time to his brother Thomas, whose wife was a sister of Bathurst Skelton, he mentions Bathurst, who was his room-mate, and says, "Bathurst desires me to tell his sister, that he would have wrote her a Dozen Letters but could not tell what to put in them, but he still says, that if she insists upon it, he will write her a Sheet of Compliments & Love, &c., &c., &c., he is also learning French & is much the most Studious Person in the College." He, Walter, was a red-hot radical adherent to the principles of free government, and was in full sympathy with the colonies in all their struggles for independence; so much so, that he attracted the loyal attention of the faculty, on at least one occasion, when he thought it prudent to retire into the country for a brief season.
At Edinburgh he early enjoyed the reputation of being a young man of great promise, both socially and as a student.
Mr. George Donald, under date of Oct. 8th, 1769, writes: "Enclosed you'll rece a letter from your brother Walter wch came to my hands some days ago. This will no doubt inform you that he has taken his degree of M. D., and that he intends to Virginia in the Spring. I have the pleasure also to inform you that among the several letters I have lately received from Scotland, Dr. Jones is mentioned as a person of the first merit. A very sensible gentleman in Glasgow (Mr. Kippen) particularly says that Dr. Jones is the most shining young gent, of his profession now in Edinburg, and that he will make a great figure wherever he goes. Mr. McMiken who is just returned from Scotland speaks of Mr. Jones as a gent. of great reputation, and which is not alone confined to his profession." * * * In a letter dated London, July 23d, 1769, Dr. Walter writes to his brother Thomas: "I have heard of poor Bathurst's death for several months — it was not less grievous
than unexpected—he really was amongst those friends who I thought with some confidence would welcome my return, should it happen—the news shocked me in a peculiar manner, as I had not very long before heard of his marriage with Miss Wayles, and had with pleasure reflected on the happiness he must enjoy with a woman the accomplishments of whose person I was acquainted with and the more valuable disposition of whose mind I have heard with praises from all who knew her." After taking his degree at Edinburgh, he attended lectures another season and returned to Virginia in 1770, where he at once entered upon the active duties of the profession which he pursued with distinguished success until his death. He was great-uncle and guardian of grandpa Jones and his sisters. With reference to one of his canvasses for Congress, we extract the following from Garland's Life of John Randolph, page 120: "By such persuasions as these Gen. Lee was induced to offer himself as a candidate for congress in Westmoreland district—Westmoreland, the birth-place of Washington! On the other hand by the persuasions of Mr. Jefferson Dr. Walter Jones came out in opposition to him. The canvass between these two champions of adverse wishes and sentiments was very animated. In colloquial eloquence and irony, no man could surpass Dr. Jones; but he was overmatched by his antagonist in popular address and public eloquence." * * *
Mr. Jefferson is said to have been very fond of Dr. Jones' society, and they were together a great deal when in Washington.
10. Elizabeth Jones, the tenth child of Col. Thomas Jones; born Jan. 26th, 1748; married Dr. Flood, and died about 1775, leaving three children, one of whom, William P. Flood, received by devise from a Dr. William Savage, nephew of Dr. Walter Jones' father-in-law, a large estate in lands, houses, and lots, situated near Edenton, North Carolina.