Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: Genealogy Report: Descendants of Martin William " Gobbler " Jones

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Descendants of Martin William " Gobbler " Jones

4. JESSE RIGGS³ JONES (MARTIN WILLIAM " GOBBLER "², MR.¹) was born 02 Aug 1810 in Jefferson Co., Tennessee, and died 14 Jul 1848 in Jones Prairie, Polk Co., Texas. He married MESALINE BURKS 1831 in Arkansas, daughter of JOHN BURKS and NANCY MORGAN. She was born Abt. 1813 in Arkansas, and died Abt. 1845 in Jones Prairie, Polk Co., Texas.

Notes for JESSE RIGGS JONES:
Jesse and Messaline had won a horse and traded their fine horse for 1280 acres of land! So they packed up and left White Co., Arkansas for East Texas and traveled across the Untamed Frontier! Could you even imagine! Jesse fought in the Texas Revolution just shortly after they moved to Texas from Arkansas. For his service, he was given a league and a labor of land along Menard Creek in Liberty
(later Polk ) Co., Texas. He sold part of it and bought some land in North Polk Co, where he established his home. He was joined in 1845 by several of his brothers and their families to found Jones Prairie, about a mile east of present day Leggett, Texas. Jesse and his mother-in-law Nancy Morgan Burks would later die from burns received when their home burned. On the 31 July 1848, Clisby R. Jones (Jesse's brother) made application to be appointed the Administrator of the Estates of Jesse R. Jones, John D. and Nancy Burks, administered jointly. In March of 1849, Clisby R. Jones then filed his resignation as Administrator, which was accepted, and John Hodges Jones who is the brother of Clisby and Jesse, filed application to be appointed Administrator de bonis non ( of the goods not administered). This was filed on 5 March 1949. On 26 March 1949, John Hodges Jones was appointed Administrator de bonis non of each of these Estates, also on the same day he had filed his bond and oath.

Polk County Enterprise, May 22, 2003

From The Archives
Proud of our History
By Wanda Bobinger, curator, Polk County Memorial Museum

"Jones Leaves His Mark On County- By Wanda Bobinger, curator, Polk County Memorial Museum;
Jesse Riggs Jones was a veteran of the Siege of Bexar and after the Revolution, he settled five miles east of Livingston. He had come to Texas in 1834 and served the Texas Army until Aug. 21, 1836.
In December 1838, he was issued two land grant certificates as payment for his military service. A land certificate was the state's permission to choose have surveyed and obtain title to a specific amount of property. Each was for 640 acres, one for service in general and one for his participation in the Siege of Bexar.
In 1848, Jones chose for himself land in Burks Fork of Menard Creek where the Soda Community later came to be located. Some years passed and Jones sold most of the land to Kerr De Walt and relocated his family to Jones Prairie.
Jones married Messaline Burks, the daughter of neighbors John and Nancy Burks. Nancy was the only heir to her wealthy father Joseph Morgan, who died in 1844. John Burks died in 1845 and his only heir was his and Nancy's daughter Messaline.
Messaline died in 1847, leaving Jesse in charge of the estate.
Ironically, one year later, Jesse and his mother-in-law Nancy died on the same day leaving the wealth and vast real estate investments of Morgan, Burks and Jones to Jones' six children.
Eliza Jane Jones married a cousin, Peter Enoch Clisby Jones July 4, 1856. She died in 1863. P.E.C. then married Eliza "Jenny" Winn on Sept. 1, 1864. The daughter of James C. Winn and his first wife "Jenny" Winn died and Peter Enoch Clisby married Mary Agnes Marilla. Martin served in the C.M. 28th Texas Cavalry and in Company K. 14th Texas Infantry.
Enoch Clisby, born 1845 in Texas, enlisted at Livingston in 1861 as a private in Company B, 1st Texas Infantry, Hood's Brigade. He died of illness in Richmond.
Rhoda Emaline married Samuel W. Moore July 21, 1850, but died in 1853, leaving no children.
Litha Elvira Jones married Thomas Hicks Feb 17, 1848. One year later, Litha filed for divorce after filing charges against Thomas for beating her. They had one child, a little girl who was named for Litha's mother and grandmother, Nancy Messaline Hick. After a second failed marriage to John Nash, Litha died. Tom obtained guardianship papers on the child and again stood to benefit from the Burks-Jones inheritance. Thomas Hicks by that time was living near Crockett, having married Arena, the daughter of John English on June 8, 1854.
With the estates of Morgan, Burks and Jones bunched together, the legalities became very complicated for the heirs, resulting in disputes over their legacy which last over 40 years.
Peter Enoch Clisby Jones, who had married first the eldest daughter of Jesse and Messaline, became the administrator of the estate. However, P.E.C. was living in Burleson County with his wife, Mary Agnes, her mother, Maria Winn, and her sisters and their families.
A summons was issued March 1877 from the County of Polk to the sheriff of Burleson County to find and bring P.E.C. Jones personally before the Honorable County Court of Polk in the town of Livingston to make exhibit of the condition of the Burks-Jones Estate.
Old court records show that another citation was issued for P.E.C. Jones in Reynolds County in September 1883, but was returned to the Polk County Court in April marked "not found" Peter Enoch Clisby had died in Burleson County in 1879.
Jesse Riggs Jones was a charter member of the Trinity Masonic Lodge and was elected to the building committee to erect a two-story Masonic hall and school room at Swartwout.
When the town of Livingston gave a lot for a school and the Methodist Church, Jesse riggs was appointed as a trustee, along with Moses Choate, John English and M.T. Nettles."

Probate Index- Polk Co., Texas Probate Minute- Book A;
Jones, Jessie R.- #34 Succession of p. 35-40-42-43-44-45-56-51-52-54-56-57-58-59-64-65-66-67-68-72-75-79-81-87-93-95-98-104-109-114-116-119-120-125-134-160-161-163-164-166-167.

Jones, J.R.- #59 Minor Heirs, Guardianship of p. 59-62.

Jones, J.R.- #63 Minor Heirs of Vs The Admin. of J.R. Jones Estate- p. 148-159-160-164-165.

Jones, Jesse R.-#34 Succession of p. 9-51-67-70-227-229-231-245-254-300.

Jones, Jesse R.-#50- Guardianship of Minor Heirs p. 9-23-78-91-110-117-118-123-174-253-254.

Probate Index- Polk Co., Texas Probate Minute- Book C;
Jones, Jessie R.-#50- Succession of pg. 1 to 8, and 109 to 126.
Jones, Jessie R.-#50- Guardianship of Minor Heirs p.- 135 to 147, 291-292 and 333 to 337.

More About JESSE RIGGS JONES:
Burial: Unknown, Jones Prairie Cemetery, Polk Co., Texas

More About MESALINE BURKS:
Burial: Unknown, Jones Prairie Cemetery, Polk Co., Texas

More About JESSE JONES and MESALINE BURKS:
Marriage: 1831, Arkansas

Children of JESSE JONES and MESALINE BURKS are:

32.	i.		ALITHA ELVIRA⁴ JONES, b. Abt. 1833, Arkansas Territory, later became White Co., Arkansas; d. 20 Dec 1860, Houston Co., Texas.
	ii.		RHODA EMALINE JONES, b. Abt. 1835, Jones Prairie, Polk Co., Texas; d. Bef. 1853, Jones Prairie, Polk Co., Texas; m. SAMUEL W. MOORE, 21 Jul 1850, Livingston, Polk Co., Texas; b. Abt. 1828, South Carolina; d. Unknown.

Notes for RHODA EMALINE JONES:
Rhoda had no children so she lists as heirs to her Will, her husband S.W. Moore and her siblings. On 16 of April 1853, Samuel W. Moore conveyed to John Hodges Jones all interest inherited by him through his wife in all property, this conveyance being recorded in Book C, pg 472, Deed Records, Polk Co., Texas. Later, a Degree of Partition, made at the August Term in 1857, of the Probate Court of Polk County, Texas, shows that John H. Jones had relinquished to the children of Jesse R. Jones, and there was allotted to them therin, all interest John H. Jones had acquired by the conveyance from S.W. Moore to him.
On the 1850 Polk Co., Texas Census, Rhoda's three youngest siblings are living with Rhoda and Sam.
190B 37 217 Moore Sam 22 M Farmer SC
190B 38 217 Moore Rhoda 15 F TX
190B 39 217 Jones Eliza J. 12 F TX
190B 40 217 Jones John 9 M TX
190B 41 217 Jones Martin 8 M TX
On the 1850 Polk Co., Texas Census, Rhoda and Samuel have Rhoda's siblings Eliza J., Martin and John residing in the home.

Rhoda and Samuel's marriage is found on pg. 19 of the Polk Co., Texas Marriages.

More About SAMUEL MOORE and RHODA JONES:
Marriage: 21 Jul 1850, Livingston, Polk Co., Texas

iii.

ENOCH CLISBY JONES, b. Abt. 1836, Jones Prairie, Polk Co., Texas; d. 10 Jul 1861, Confederate Army, Richmond, Va..

Notes for ENOCH CLISBY JONES:
Enoch is listed on the 1860 Polk Co., Texas Census with Calaway and both were residing with Peter and Eliza Jones. Enoch died of illness while serving in the Confederate Army in Richmond, Va.

Probate Index- Polk Co., Texas Probate Minute- Book F;
Jones, E.C.-#168- Guardianship of p. 202 to 205 and 280-281- 282.

More About ENOCH CLISBY JONES:
Cause of Death: Illness.

33.	iv.	ELIZA JANE JONES, b. 1838, Jones Prairie, Polk Co., Texas; d. Aft. 1875, Jones Prairie, Polk Co., Texas.
34.	v.	JOHN H.B. JONES, b. Abt. 1840, Jones Prairie, Polk Co., Texas; d. Jul 1862, Jones Prairie, Polk Co., Texas.
35.	vi.	MARTIN CALLAWAY JONES, b. 29 Oct 1841, Jones Prairie, Polk Co., Texas; d. 02 Mar 1914, Robert Lee, Coke Co., Texas.

5. MARY ELIZABETH MARIBE³ JONES (MARTIN WILLIAM " GOBBLER "², MR.¹) was born 26 Mar 1813 in Jefferson Co., Tennessee, and died Aft. 1860 in Possibly in Centerville, Leon Co., Texas. She married JAMES M. BRASHEARS 1826 in Jackson Co., Alabama, son of BERRY BRASHEARS and ANNA. He was born 25 May 1810 in Tennessee, and died Aft. 1860 in Possibly in Centerville, Leon Co., Texas.

Notes for MARY ELIZABETH MARIBE JONES:
On the 1850 Angelina Co., Texas Census she is listed as Mary M. 1860 has her as Lizzie M. Also on the 1860 Census their surname is spelled Brassiers.
Name: Lizzie M Boassiss (Census taker has the family as Brassiers)
Age in 1860: 50
Birthplace: Tennessee
Home in 1860: District 2, Angelina, Texas
Gender: Female
Value of real estate:
Post Office: Homer
Roll: M653_1287
Page: 107
Year: 1860
Head of Household: James boassiss (James Brassiers) Brashears

More About MARY ELIZABETH MARIBE JONES:
Burial: Unknown, Possibly in Centerville, Leon Co., Texas

Notes for JAMES M. BRASHEARS:
James was a Sheriff. James and Elizabeths' great grandson is James Neyland who became a Ghost Writer. James and Elizabeth Maribe came to East Texas along with the rest of the Jones Family around 1844-1846. James registered his brand " 10 " the year of his birth, in Angelina Co. on June 15, 1855. It was transferred to his wife Elizabeth on 25 January 1856. He probably died between 1870-1880. James and Elizabeth had several descendants, which our wonderful late relative Annie Lee Nutt has placed in order and she had hoped that this was the correct information. Betty Lyle and I have added descendants where she had left off.
Note; Family also found on the 1860 Angelina Co., Texas Census. It states Elizabeth's name as Lizzie M. and James is listed as 60 years old.
On the 1850 Angelina Co., Texas Census, it states James as born in Tn. Also residing in James home is 17 year old Elvira Nash from Arkansas. This is Talitha Elvira (Jones) Nash. She is the daughter of Jesse R. Jones and Messaline Burks.
On the 1860 Census their surname is spelled Brassiers.

ANGELINA CO., TEXAS
Company D, 7th Regiment
Texas Mounted Volunteers (Confederate)
Privates;
Berry S. Brashears
Walk(er) Brashears
John M. Brashears
C.T. Jones
Hamp Jones
Henry Jones
James Jones
J. Cal Jones
J.H. Jones
Tib Jones

More About JAMES M. BRASHEARS:
Burial: Unknown, Possibly in Centerville, Leon Co., Texas

More About JAMES BRASHEARS and MARY JONES:
Marriage: 1826, Jackson Co., Alabama

Children of MARY JONES and JAMES BRASHEARS are:

36.	i.	MELINDA⁴ BRASHEARS, b. 1833, Arkansas Terr., later became White Co., Arkansas; d. Bef. 1863, Woodville, Tyler Co., Texas.
37.	ii.	LT. JOHN JACKSON BRASHEARS, b. 25 Jan 1834, Arkansas Terr., later became White Co., Arkansas; d. Unknown.
38.	iii.	JESSE MARION WALKER BRASHEARS, b. 27 Feb 1836, Arkansas Territory, later became White Co., Arkansas; d. 30 Nov 1885, Jonesville, Angelina Co., Texas.
39.	iv.	LUCINDA M. BRASHEARS, b. 15 Feb 1838, Arkansas Terr., later became White Co., Arkansas; d. 16 Jan 1918, Redland Community, Leon Co., Texas.
40.	v.	BERRY S. BRASHEARS, b. 1840, Arkansas Terr., later became White Co., Arkansas; d. Unknown.
	vi.	RHODA ELIZABETH BRASHEARS, b. 1842, Arkansas Terr., later became White Co., Arkansas; d. Unknown; m. JAMES BERRY MOORE, 06 Oct 1859, Angelina Co., Texas; b. 1832, Illinois; d. Unknown.

Notes for RHODA ELIZABETH BRASHEARS:
1850 Angelina Co., Texas shows her as Rody.

Notes for JAMES BERRY MOORE:
James B. Moore volunteered for service in CSA on 31 March 1861 and served in Co. D, 7th. TX. Calvary. Formed in Angelina Co., Texas. They made the long march into Mexico, and James was left behind in an El Paso, Texas hospital with Typhoid Fever. He was taken prisoner there.
I find James B. and Rhoda on the 1860 Angelina Co., Texas Census near Rhoda's parents.

More About JAMES MOORE and RHODA BRASHEARS:
Marriage: 06 Oct 1859, Angelina Co., Texas

vii.

FETNA BRASHEARS, b. 1846, Arkansas Terr., later became White Co., Arkansas; d. Unknown; m. WILLIAM R. SELMAN, 11 Feb 1862, Homer, Angelina Co., Texas; b. Abt. 1845; d. Unknown.

Notes for FETNA BRASHEARS:
I believe Fetna was named after her aunt Phetna on her mothers side.

Notes for WILLIAM R. SELMAN:
William volunteered for service on 31 March 1862 in Angelina Co., TX. and served with Co. D, 22nd. TX. Infantry CSA, Capt. Browns' Company.

More About WILLIAM SELMAN and FETNA BRASHEARS:
Marriage: 11 Feb 1862, Homer, Angelina Co., Texas

41.	viii.		ROBERT C. BRASHEARS, b. 1848, Jonesville, Angelina Co., Texas; d. Unknown.
	ix.		DEVILLA BRASHEARS, b. 1854, Jonesville, Angelina Co., Texas; d. Unknown.

Notes for DEVILLA BRASHEARS:
Devilla might have been James Brashears sister? Some people also think that Devillas' birth was 1795, but no info. on this as of yet.

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