Thomas Jones, Sidney Township
Arrived 1792
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of the Bay of Quinte Thomas Jones was the second husband of Anna Meyers, daughter of Capt John W Meyers. I believe they had a daughter Catherine who married Jacob Dockstader. It was this connection that piqued my interest in this family. Much has been found and is presented below. Be careful as there is some speculation in this family lineage. |
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| 1. Descendants of Thomas Jones and his two wives Probable children of THOMAS JONES and MARY are: i. HENRY2 JONES, b. 1794, Canada West; m. HANNAH WHITE; b. Abt. 1805, Canada West. ii. DAVID JONES, b. Abt. 1799; d. 18 Jan 1892, Sidney, Hastings County; m. MARGARET GILBERT, 16 Apr 1829. iii. THOMAS JONES, b. 10 Jul 1804, Sidney, Hastings County; d. 31 Jan 1877, Belleville, ON; m. LUCRETIA GILBERT, Abt. 1828; b. 05 Dec 1806, Sidney, Hastings County; d. 08 Dec 1887, Hastings Co. iv. ABIGAIL JONES, m. STEPHEN PALMER, 10 Jan 1810, Hallowell. v. MARGARET JONES, m. RICHARD DAVIS. vi. MARY JONES, m. DAVID MARSHALL. vii. ELIZABETH JONES, m. SOLOMON VERMILYEA. viii. MIRABA JONES. ix. REBECCA JONES, m. ALEXANDER MCMULLEN, 13 Dec 1830, Thurlow Tp.. Children of THOMAS JONES and ANNA MEYERS (who first married Caleb Gilbert) are: x. JANE2 JONES, m. OWEN ROBLIN KETCHESON. xi. CATHERINE JONES, b. 1812, Upper Canada; m. JACOB DOCKSTADER; b. 23 Dec 1800, New York State; d. 17 Nov 1875, Hasting Co. xii. GILBERT JONES, b. Abt. 1817, Sidney, Hastings County; m. (1) TABITHA PURDY, 29 Mar 1839, Sidney Tp.; m. (2) MARGARET JANE BOWERMAN, 24 Dec 1879; b. 08 Feb 1831; d. 07 Aug 1904, Buried in Picton beside first husband.. xiii. JACOB JONES, b. Abt. 1820, Sidney, Hastings County; m. MARIA KETCHESON, Abt. 1841. |
| 2. What is known about Thomas Jones The three petitions that I claim are signed with the same signature (see below) and thus the same man, state that Thomas Jones arrived in 1792, petitioned from Adolphustown for a grant in 1793 in Marysburgh, Prince Edward County and was denied. Later in 1798 he petitions from Thurlow and states that he came in 1792 with a wife and 4 children. This wife died between 1805 and 1810. Also in 1798 and again from Thurlow he is a signee on a petition involving land near the mill of Capt John Meyers. I believe that this is the same Thomas Jones who married Anna Meyers. Also, it has been discovered that Thomas Jones and his wife Mary requested and were accepted as members of the Adolphustown Quaker Meeting in 1805. In Jan 1811, Thomas was disowned for marrying out and this would be the result of marrying Anna/Nancy Meyers. Nancy, a DUE and therefore a loyalist would not be accepted as a suitable spouse for a Quaker as this would conflict with the Quaker Peace Testimony. In 1820 both Thomas and Nancy are accepted as members of the West Lake Meeting and this implies that Nancy had 'acknowledged' her ways. They were members at Cold Creek meeting which was a subordinate Preparatory meeting in west Sidney near Frankford. The Quaker records are shown below. In an Anna Meyers petition from 1797, it is later written in 1833 that she is married to Thomas Jones. This marriage is also recorded in the Pioneer Life on the Bay of Quinte. A Catherine Jones married Jacob Dockstader and they named their son Harry Bleecker Walden Meyers Dockstader and this has fueled speculation that Catherine Jones is the daughter of Anna Meyers and Thomas Jones. Catherine, a daughter, is named in Thomas's will and it is most likley that this daughter married Jacob Dockstader. |
3. Comparing Three Petition Signatures Below are the 3 signatures that I believe are by the same man. Top is the 1793 petition, then the 1798 petition and last is as a signee on the Meyers petition in 1798. |
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4. Petitions and Land Records BORN He came to Canada with his wife and 4 children in 1792, so he would be about 28 years of age making a birth year of about 1765in NY. The date 23 Feb 1779 comes from Herman Witthoft with no citation. MARRIAGE First wife named Mary - see Quaker records. Second wife Anna Nancy Meyers. PETITION 1797 Dated 9 Nov 1797, Anna Meyers alias Gilbert, daughter of Capt John Meyers and wife of Caleb Gilbert, Esq, pray for land. [post script] "I certify that the above named petitioner is now the wife of Thomas Jones of the Township of Sidney. [signed and dated] Rich Birdsall, York 30 July 1833. The original petition is confirmed on 13 Nov 1797. For Lots 5 and 6, Con 9, Percy Township the survey or patent fee of £3 5.2 is paid in 1833. Source: Upper Canada Land Petitions, Percy, 1797, V203, G3/10, AO, Film C-2028 PETITION 1793 Adolphustown, 22 Jan 1793, Thomas Jones, late of the State of New York, desirous of becoming an inhabitant, prays for 200 acres of land, in the township of Marysburgh, PEC. Source: Upper Canada Land Petitions, Marysburgh, 1793, V266, bundle I-J Misc, 73, AO, Film C-2115 PETITION 1798 Thomas Jones is a signee on a petition of Capt John Walden Meyers, Thurlow, dated 21 Dec 1798. See 1798 petition - Meyers file and web site. Source: Upper Canada Land Petitions, Thurlow, 1798, bundle M4, 224, AO, Film C-2193 PETITION 1798 Thurlow, 3 Oct 1798, Thomas Jones, of the Township of Ameliasburgh, has been in the Province since 1792, brought with him a wife and four children, and never received any lands, and has taken oath, prays a quantity of unlocated lands. Alexander Chisholm states that the petitioner is an honest man. Signature is identical to the 1798 petition. Source: Upper Canada Land Petitions, Thurlow, 1799, V266, bundle I-J Misc, 2, AO, Film C-2115 SIGNATURE The signature of Thomas Jones in all 3 above petitions is unique in character and very consistent in form, strongly indicating that the 3 petitions involve the same man. LOT 22, CON 5, Sidney 17 May 1802, crown grant to Nancy W Meyers, 200 acres. In 1833, "Thomas Jones & Nancy his wife formerly Meyers" sell the lot to Thomas Jones Jr. Registered 1847. [N2137, R543 and R544] Lot 27, CON 1, SIDNEY Lot 27, Con 1, Sydney, John Jones of Quebec, schoolmaster, 285 acres, original nominee. Dated 30 Jul 1811, York, signed Thos Ridout, surveyor. Then to Robert Charles Wilkins of Ameliasburgh. Source: Township Papers, RG1-58, Sidney, AO, MS658, reel 442, 262 LOT 30. CON 1, SIDNEY AM, 11 Feb 1814, reg 14 Oct 1815, Thomas Jones, Sidney, yeoman, pays Richard Cartwright, merchant, Kingston, 600 pounds plus interest to secure Lot 30, Con 1, Sidney, 276 acres as his own. Witnessed by Alan MacPherson and Andrew Deacon. [Note: This is to pay off the 600 pound mortage that Caleb Gilbert took out with Richard Cartwright and presumably Thomas has by now married Anna Meyers Gilbert and is living on the farm. See the notes for Caleb Gilbert.] Source: Hasting County Copybooks, VA-D, 1800-1821, AO, GSU 197905, C317 LOT 29, CON 1, Sidney On 16 Oct 1818, reg 25 Jul 1835, Peter Matthews of Pickering, County of York, sells to Thomas Jones, yeoman, Sidney, 40 acres, south east part Lot 29, Con 1, Sidney, witnessed by Henry Jones and Robert C A McLean both of Sidney. Source: Hastings Co, Sidney Tp 1833-1842, copybooks, AO, GSU 197909, N3020 LAND RECORD 1818 On 16 Oct 1818, Peter Matthews of Pickering, County of York, sells to Thomas Jones, yeoman, Sidney, 40 acres, south east part Lot 29, Con 1, Sidney, witnessed by Henry Jones and Robert CA McLean both of Sidney, reg 25 Jul 1835. Source: Hastings Co, Sidney Tp 1833-1842, copybooks, AO, GSU197909, N3020 LAND RECORD 1828 On 19 Feb 1828, Thomas Jones Sr, Sidney, Yeoman, sells to David Jones, Yeoman, Sidney, for 300 pounds, sells, 104 acres, parts of lots 32 and 33, Con 1, Sidney. Witnessed by Henry Jones, yeoman and John Patterson, teacher, both of Sidney, registered 16 Mar 1833. Note: there is no record of Thomas acquiring this land . Source: Hastings Co, Sidney Tp 1833-1842, copybooks, AO, GSU197909, N2168 DEATH Jones Thomas Sidney Deceaced 12th of 8 mo 1837 See the Quaker record below. |
| 5. Quaker Records QUAKER - THOMAS JONES REQUESTS MEMBERSHIP This Meeting received by way of Adolphus preparative meeting a request to come under friends care from Thomas Jones after consideration there on this meeting appoints John Dorland Daniel Way and Joseph Leavens to make him a Visit on that account inquire into his life and conversation convincement of our principles and attendance of our meetings and report to our next meeting their sense respecting the sincerity of his said request. Source: Adolphustown Monthly Meeting Minutes, O-2-1, Transcribed at Quaker.ca, 2 6mo 1804 QUAKER - ACCEPTED The friends appointed to Visit Thomas Jones on account of his Request Report a Visit to a good degree of satisfaction and belieave him to be measureably convinced of friends principles and don't find but that his life and conversation is in a good degree orderly and belieave him sincear in his request After consideration thereon this meeting is united in belieaveing that it will be right to accept him a member of this meeting and accept him accordingly and appoints Daniel Haight and Ichabod Bowerman to inform him thereon and report. Note: Thomas sits on a number of committees for various purposes from 1805 to 1810. Source: Adolphustown Monthly Meeting Minutes, O-2-1, Transcribed at Quaker.ca, 19 7mo 1804 QUAKER - MARY JONES REQUEST MEMBERSHIP The Women inform they have come to a conclusion to accept Mary Jones a member they having taken the necessary care after consideration thereon we unite with them therein and accept her accordingly Source: Adolphustown Monthly Meeting Minutes, O-2-1, Transcribed at Quaker.ca, 19 9mo 1805 QUAKER - THOMAS JONES DISOWNED This meeting is informed that Thomas Jones a member thereof has so far deviated from the order of friends as to marry out of the Unity by a priest wherefor this meeting concludes to disown Him and appoint Aaron White and Daniel Haight to inform thereof. Source: Adolphustown Monthly Meeting Minutes, O-2-1, Transcribed at Quaker.ca, 17 1mo 1811 QUAKER - NANCY JONES REQUESTS MEMBERSHIP was forwarded to this by way of the overseers a request signed Nancy Jones wich is directed to the monthly monthly meeting Source: Ameliasburgh Prep Meeting, Transcribed at Quaker.ca, 15 4mo 1820, 19 QUAKER - NANCY JONES VISITED Ameliasburgh preparative Meeting forwarded to this a request on behalf of Nancy Jones expressing a desire She had to be joined in Membership with Friends which this notices and appoints Ruth Crista Phebe Blunt and Phila Bourman to visit her on that account and report. Source: Adolphustown Monthly Meeting Women Minutes, O-2-2, Transcribed at Quaker.ca, 20 4 mo 1820 QUAKER - NANCY JONES ACCEPTED Two of the Friends appointed to visit Nancy Jones on account of her request report a visit to good Satisfaction and after the Meeting's consideration it appears united with her being accepted having the Mens concurrence and appoints Sarah Clark and Jane How to inform her thereof and report. Note: Mary sits on two committees and is named Anna the second time. Source: Adolphustown Monthly Meeting Women Minutes, O-2-2, Transcribed at Quaker.ca, 18 5mo 1820 QUAKER - THOMAS JONES FAMILY J Names What Meeting How they becameMembers How disposed of & at What Date Jones John WL By Certificate Disowned as Hicksite - 1829 [Note: the John above is likely not part of the family below and is the John Jones who married Abigail Cunningham] Jones Thomas CC 1819 Jones Ann his Wife Jones Rebecca their Jones Thomas children at Cold Creek Source: West Lake Monthly Register O-9-1, Transcribed at Quaker.ca, recorded about 1828, 9 QUAKER - REGISTER Jones Thomas Sidney Deceaced 12th of 8 mo 1837 Jones Anna his wife " Deceased Jones Thomas junr " Jones Gilbert West LakeDisowned Not disowned must add d 12 M 8 1880 Jones Jacob " Disowned Source: West Lake Monthly Register, O-9-1, Transcribed at Quaker.ca, 50 |
| 6. The possible children of Thomas Jones The major record naming his children is the update to the will of Thomas Jones. It is reproduced here as well. Will # 114 Jones, Thos. Date made: 11 Nov 1830 in Sidney Date of Probate 14 Feb 1838 sons - Henry, David, Thomas, daus - Abigail Palmer, Margaret Davis, Mary Marshall, Elizabeth Vermilyea, Miraba Patterson, Rebecca Jones, above children by a former wife. Present wife Ann Jones. children - Catherine, Jane, Gilbert & Jacob Jones HENRY JONES MARRIAGE on the 6th instant at Sydney, by Jacob W Meyers, esq, Mr Henry Jones to Miss White, daughter of Reuben White ESQ MPP. Source: Kingston newspaper, Aug 1820, found online by Linda Smith. Database not named. DAVID JONES BORN abt 1799, see death record. LAND RECORD 1828 On 19 Feb 1828, Thomas Jones Sr, Sidney, Yeoman, sells to David Jones, Yeoman, Sidney, for 300 pounds, sells, 104 acres, parts of lots 32 and 33, Con 1, Sidney. Witnessed by Henry Jones, yeoman and John Patterson, teacher, both of Sidney, registered 16 Mar 1833. Note: there is no record of Thomas acquiring this land . Source: Hastings Co, Sidney Tp 1833-1842, copybooks, AO, GSU197909, N2168 1871 CENSUS JONES DAVID, age 71, b. ONT, Quaker, WELSH, FARMER, p. 56, Sidney DEATH David Jones, d 18 Jan 1882, at 82y 3m 27d, b PEC, yeoman, EM, 1st Con Sidney Source: Ontario Death Reg, Hastings, Ancestry CONCLUSION David is mentioned in the will update of Thomas Jones and he is a Quaker and is likely an older established son of the first wife of Thomas. THOMAS JONES JR BORN abt 1805, see death record SON? Note: In the deed below "Thomas Jones Senior" - implies there is a Thomas Junior. On 19 Feb 1828, Thomas Jones Sr, Sidney, Yeoman, sells to David Jones, Yeoman, Sidney, for 300 pounds, sells, 104 acres, parts of lots 32 and 33, Con 1, Sidney. Witnessed by Henry Jones, yeoman and John Patterson, teacher, both of Sidney, registered 16 Mar 1833. Note: there is no record of Thomas acquiring this land . Source: Hastings Co, Sidney Tp 1833-1842, copybooks, AO, GSU197909, N2168 DEATH - Likely the correct son of Thomas Jones. Thomas Jones b. Sidney, d. 31 JAN 1877, aged 72 [ b. abt 1805 ] Died, on the 31st inst, Thomas Jones, Esq, aged 71 years and 5 months. The funeral will take place on Friday at 2pm, from the family residence, Hotel St. Source: The Daily Ontario, Belleville, AO, N219, 41, 1 Feb 1877 DEATH - Not likely of this family as born in Prince Edward County Thomas Jones, age 83, b PEC, tree planter, d 6 Apr 1897, Belleville Source: Ontario Death Registers, Hastings Co, Ancestry QUAKER - REGISTER Jones Thomas Sidney Deceaced 12th of 8 mo 1837 Jones Anna his wife " Deceased Jones Thomas junr " Jones Gilbert West LakeDisowned Not disowned must add d 12 M 8 1880 Jones Jacob " Disowned Source: West Lake Monthly Register, O-9-1, Transcribed at Quaker.ca, 50 CONCLUSION Thomas is mentioned in the will update of Thomas Jones. He is mentioned in the Quaker records. ABIGAIL, MARGARET, MARY, ELIZABETH, MIRABA, REBECCA All are mentioned in the update to the will as daughters of Thomas and his first wife. REBECCA JONES Named in the Quaker registers so is a daughter but not named in the 1830. Rebecca Jones b.10 Aug 1807 d. 27 Aug 1867 Sidney Twp Hastings Co Ont bur Whites Cemetery Alexander McMullen b. 13 Aug 1802 Sidney Twp d. 13 Jun 1874 Sidney bur Whites Source: email, Nov 7, 2013, Cheryl McMullen. GILBERT JONES BORN abt 1817, see 1871 census 1st MARRIAGE B&S, 28 Feb 1846, reg 3 Nov 1848, Gilbert Jones, Murray Tp, yeoman and his wife Tabitha Jones, sell to Jacob Jones, Sidney, yeoman, for 500 pounds, those parts of lots 29 and 30, Con 1, Sidney, including the broken front, 182 acres and for 5 shillings Tabitha Jones releases her dower. Too faint to read witnesses. Source: Hasting County Copybooks, Sidney Tp, Vol A, 1847-53, GSU 197978, A85 QUAKER - REGISTER Jones Thomas Sidney Deceaced 12th of 8 mo 1837 Jones Anna his wife " Deceased Jones Thomas junr " Jones Gilbert West LakeDisowned Not disowned must add d 12 M 8 1880 Jones Jacob " Disowned Source: West Lake Monthly Register, O-9-1, Transcribed at Quaker.ca, 50 1871 CENSUS JONES GILBERT age 54, b ONT, Quaker, ENGLISH FARMER, p 23 Northumb.e\Murray 2nd MARRIAGE - GILBERT JONES SON OF ANNA AND THOMAS 1879 J Gilbert Jones of the City of Belleville in the County of Hastings and Province of Ontario Son of Thomas and Anna Jones his wife And Margaret Jane Hubbs daughter of Judah and Lavina Bowerman his wife of the Township of Hallowell in the County of Prince Edward and Province of Ontario Canada} Having laid their intentions of Marrige with each other before two Monthly Meetings of the religious society of Friends held at West Lake, in the Province aforesaid, And nothing appearing to obstruct their proposals of Marriage was allowed by the Meeting, These are to certify that for the accomplishment of their intentions this twenty fourth day of the twelfth Month in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Seventy nine, They the said Gilbert Jones and Margaret Jane Hubbs appeared in a public meeting of said society held at west Lake, and the said Gilbert Jones taking the said Margaret Jane Hubbs by the hand did on this solemn occasion declare that he took her to be his wife, promising through divine assistance to be unto her a faithful and loving husband until separated by Death or words to that effect and then the said Margaret Jane Hubbs did in like manner declare that she took the said Gilbert Jones to be her Husband promising through Divine assistance to be unto him A faithful and loving wife until separated by death or words to that import And they the said Gilbert Jones and Margaret Jane Hubbs as a father confirmation of thereof, She according to the custom of marriage adopting the name of her Husband, did then and there to these presents Set their hands And we being present have {Gilbert Jones Subscribed our names as witness therf {Margaret Jane Jones D Jones, Lavina Hubbs, Robert H Saylor JW Jones, Jane A Farley, Catharine Saylor Eunetta Jones, Wm Farley Maryann Dorland Netty Jones, Maggie Sin?in?ton Rachael Cronkhite Davind S Hubbs, CG Bowerman Elizabeth Sweetman Mary Jane Bowerman Mary Bowerman Wm Garratt Source: West Lake Register of Births and Deaths, H-11-1, Transcribed at Quaker.ca, 63, 64 QUAKER - COLD CREEK Cold Creek Monthly Meeting of Friends held at Cole Creek 12th mo 9? 1880 To Bloomfield monthly meeting of Friends Dear Friends Gilbert Jones being a member of this monthly meeting and having removed within in the County of your Meeting, we do not find but his business has been satisfactory settled We therefore commend him to your Christian Care and oversight Signed by direction of this Meeting El? Terrill } Marmaduke Terrill Correspondent Clerk Source: West Lake Register of Births and Deaths, H-11-1, Transcribed at Quaker.ca, 64 QUAKER - States this second marriage. (5) - He was the leader of the group opposed to the Progressive or Evangelical group in the Dorland vs Jones case at the Supreme Court 1881 over the ownership of the Bloomfield Meeting House. (6) - Explains how in 1828 the Orthodox disowned the Hicksites faction. The Hicksites had to build new meeting houses. In the 1870's the Orthodox split into two factions in Canada that fought over who owned the meeting house in Bloomfield. The conservative group was led by Gilbert Jones. The Progressive group was led by a Dorland. The Progressives won in the Supreme Court decision of 1881. (107) CONCLUSION Gilbert is named in the 1830 will of Thomas. JACOB JONES BORN abt 1820 - see 1871 census 1871 CENSUS Jacob Jones, 51, b Ont, Sidney, Quaker, farmer 1871 census, Hastings, Sidney, Ancestry, p 56 QUAKER - REGISTER Jones Thomas Sidney Deceaced 12th of 8 mo 1837 Jones Anna his wife " Deceased Jones Thomas junr " Jones Gilbert West LakeDisowned Not disowned must add d 12 M 8 1880 Jones Jacob " Disowned Source: West Lake Monthly Register, O-9-1, Transcribed at Quaker.ca, 50 CONCLUSION Jacob is a son of Thomas and is mentioned in the will. CATHERINE JONES Catherine is named as a daughter of Thomas and his second wife in his will update and likely married Jacob Dockstader and they named their children with Meyers names implying she descends from Anna Meyers. JANE JONES Jane is named in the 1830 will of Thomas (below) but not named in the Quaker records so is likely the last born child. |
| 8. 1830 Will of Thomas Jones To the Registrar of the Signed sealed and published in Witnesses present Sgd. John Valentine Sgd Thomas Jones (L.S) Sgd. Willm Valentine Sgd. George Valentine And this Memorial thereof is required to be registered pursuant to law by Ruliff Purdy one of the Executors named in said Will. As witness his hand and seal this thirty first day of March one thousand eigth hundred and thirty eight. Sgd. and sealed in the presence of Sgd. Henry Hagerman Sgd. Ruliff Purdy L.S. Sgd. Robt C.A? Midland District Henry Hagerman of the Sworn before me at the Town of Sgd. Robt C A McLean Sgd Henry Hagerman Dr Registrar County of Hastings Source: General register 1862-1881 (Copy of Northumberland Co. records) - FHL US/CAN Film [ 197863 ], #246 [Note: The 1830 date is recorded in Quaker format further supporting that Thomas was a Quaker.] Will Update |