| Text |
From the book, Descendants of Captain James Jones, by James Jones Banks. Capt. James Jones was the son of Edward Jones and Abigail Sugan.
Captain James Jones (1730-1777)
"Captain James Jones (1730-1777) m. Charity Alston (1-19-1743). Their Marriage Bond is dated August 12, 1761. He was a Captain in the N.C. militia. He was Member for Wake County at the Provincial Constitutional Congress; and was first Senator to represent Wake County in the General Assembly, 1777, and died while in office.
Captain James Jones served in the Light Horse Cavalry of North Carolina during the Revolution. ‘The Congress taking into consideration the appointment of officers of the Companies of Light Horse to be raised in this Province . . . Resolved the following persons be appointed accordingly; James Jones, Captain; Cosimo Madacy, Lieut.; and James Armstrong Cornet of the Third Company. Captain Jones was appointed April 22, 1776.
On November 13, 1776, when Congress met, Mr. James Jones was delegate for the county of Wake. ‘The system of the Council of Safety was adopted, and the Council recommended to the people to elect on the 15th of October delegates to the Congress appointed to assemble at Halifax, on the 12th of November following, which was not only to make laws, but also to form a Constitution which was to be the corner-stone of all law and as it was well or ill ordered, would tend to the happiness or misery of the State.’
This body met at the time and place recommended. The following delegates appeared. . . Wake County, James Jones. ‘Friday, November 15, 1776. It appearing that Mr. James Jones who was elected one of the Delegates for the County of Wake was at the time of his election an Officer in the army in the services of the United States of America and therefore, unqualified to sit and vote in Congress, pursuant to a former resolve. Resolved, that Freeholders and Householders in the County of Wake meet at the Court House in said County of Wake on the 28th Instant then and there to elect a delegate to sit and vote in this present Congress, instead of Mr. James Jones whose seat was vacated by his holding an appointment as an Officer in the Continental Service at the time of his election, and that the candidates or a majority of them, shall appoint a clerk and Inspector to take a Poll, and make Return thereof, that Mr. John Humphries, Clerk of the late Committee of said County advertise the said election.’
‘Tues. Dec. 3, 1776. The returning Officers for the County of Wake having certified that Mr. James Jones was duly elected a Delegate to represent the said county whereupon Mr. Jones appeared, subscribed the Test, and took his seat in Congress.’ On Saturday, Dec. 7, 1776, James Jones was among those who voted.
[James Jones served in the North Carolina Senate during 1777.]
He was one of the most prominent men of his state and did his part in making the Shocco Joneses a family never to be forgotten in the history of the State of N.C. His will was written the 10th of March 1775 and was probated in September, 1777" |
