Ceaser Jones was born into slavery about 1800 in Virginia and probably died in Alabama after 1880. He was the possible son of Benjiman Jones who was born in 1778 in Amelia County, Virginia and died 1861 also in Amelia County, Virginia. He married Charlotte Jones who was born about 1805 in Virginia and died after 1880 in Alabama.
I have an abundance of research materials on the many Jones families in Virginia who were enslavers. However, at this point I only have theories about Ceaser's parents and who enslaved them. Several trees have a Benjiman Jones as his father who lived and died in Amelia County, Virginia. I considered that he might be a white enslaver, but there is no such man in that area. I do have some theories which I'm planning to post separately. On censuses Ceaser stated both his father and mother were born in Virginia.
1867 Voter Registration Dallas County, AL
Election District 13 Precinct Old Town
Jones, Ceaser "Colored" registered Aug 1867. Page 122
Jones, Mark "Colored" registered same day
Jones, Silas "Colored" registered same day
Jones, Samuel F "White" registered 14 Aug 1867
Freedmen's Bureau Records:
15 Nov 1866 Dallas County, AL Field Office Record pg 76
Cesar Jones vs. Frances Quarles
Complains that he was taken out of the crop twenty six days when he was working it on shares and made to do errands for defendant which defendant refuses to pay for.
Action on the case: Wrote to Mrs. Quarles advising her to pay this bill and save further trouble.
June 1867 Selma, Dallas County, AL page 212 Rations Issued to Destitute Freedmen
Jones, Ceasar - on distribution list
30 Apr 1867 Selma, Dallas County, AL page 75 Rations Issued to Freedmen Destitutes
Jones, Ceasar - on distribution list
20 May 1867 Selma, Dallas County, AL page 203 Rations Issued to Destitute Freedmen
Jones, Ceasar - Rations for 30 days
2 July 1867 Selma, Dallas County, AL page 221 Rations Issued to Destitute Freedmen
Jones, Ceaser 1 adult male issued rations for 25 days
1 Aug 1867 Selma, Dallas County, AL page 226 Rations Issued to Destitute Freedmen
Jones, Ceaser 1 adult male issued rations for 25 days
1870 Census Beat 4 Lowndes County, AL
Dwelling 380 Fam 391
Butts, Wyett 40 bAL
Delia 40 bAL [daughter of Ceaser Jones]
Albert 19 bAL Farm Laborer
Lineus 14 bAL
James 12 bAL
Liler/Lila 5 bAL
Violett 2 bAL
Dwelling 381 Fam 395
Jones, Mark 35, bAL Farm Laborer [probable son of Ceaser]
Caroline 35 bAL
Edward 13 bAL
Caroline 3 months bAL
Dwelling 382 Fam 393
Jones, Ceaser 70 bVA Farm Laborer
Charlotte 65 bVA
1880 Census Kings, Dallas County, AL
Dwelling 21
Butts, Wyatte 50 Farmer bAL Both parents bVA
Delia 52 bAL Both parents bVA [Delia is the daughter of Ceaser and Charlotte]
Willis 8 bAL
Jones, Ceasar 84 bVA Both parents bVA
Charlotte 81 bVA Both parents bVA
1880 Agriculture Schedule Dallas County, AL
Wyatt Butts - Renting for money, not sharecropping. 27 ac of land, value $100, value of implements and machinery $5, Val of livestock $120. 2 working oxen, 2 milk cows, 2 calves. 52 lbs butter produced. 9 swine, 5 poultry, 30 eggs produced. 3 ac Indian corn; 50 bushels produced. 1 ac oats: 2 bushels produced. 13 ac cotton; 2 bales produced. 1 ac sweet potatoes 10 bushels produced.
The children of Ceaser Jones and Charlotte Johnson/Jones:
- Jackson "Jack" Jones born Jan 1827 Virginia, died after 1910 probably in Texas. - married Lydia "Liddy" Clark born 1831 SC, AL or GA, died after 1880 probably AL or TX SEE BELOW
- Delia Jones born abt 1828 Alabama - married Wyett Butts born abt 1830 Alabama
- Mark Jones born abt 1835 Alabama - married Caroline Walker. In 1880 he was farming 25 acres in Dallas County, AL
- Eliza Jones born abt 1843 Chambers County, Alabama, died before 1900 probably Chambers County, Alabama - married William Ratchford born May 1833 probably Fayette County, Georgia. William is the son of Edmund and Harriet Ratchford who were enslaved by Ezekiel Ratchford and his son McClellon Ratchford. William was probably born Fayette County, GA then moved with Ezekiel to Chambers County, AL. In 1867 William's father Edmund registered to vote in Lee County, AL, just south of Chambers County. By 1900 William was a widower living at Ridge Grove, Chambers County, AL with a nephew John P Jones age 24 and a niece Hester Turner age 32. SEE BELOW in Enslavers.
Jackson "Jack" Jones was born into slavery January 1827 in Virginia and probably died in Texas. He was the son of Ceaser Jones and Charlotte Jack married Lydia "Liddy" Clark on 24 Apr 1869 in Phillips County, Arkansas. Liddy was born in 1831 [SC, AL, or GA varies on each census]
1867 Alabama Voter Registration Chambers County, Alabama
Election Dist 27 Precinct 12
Jones, A J "White" Book 1 pg 249
Jones, Jack "Colored" Book 2 pg 247
Jones, Willis "White" Book 2 pg 251
1870 January 17 Estate Settlement of Willis Jones names Jack Jones, Joe Jones, (Coleman) Lee Jones and Emily Jones as being paid for labor.
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Jones mentioned in Willis Jones Estate Settlement
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1870 Census Beat 9, Chambers County, AL - Taken 11 July 1870
Dwelling 74 Fam 74
Jarrell, John 49 White bAL Farmer Real Est Val $3000
Sarah 32 bVA [This is Sarah Ann Jones d/o Willis Jones, enslaver of Jack Jones]
Mary 21
Alice 19
Catharine 17
Willis 13
John 11
William 9
Annie 7
Emma 3
Dwelling 75 Fam 75
Jones, Jack 45 farm Hand, b VA
Liddy 40 bAL
Amanda 16 bAL
Samuel 14 bAL
Lee 12 bAL
Squire 9 bAL
Francis 6 bAL
Eliza 5 bAL
Julia 3 bAL
Willis 1 bAL
Dwelling 76 Fam 76
Anderson, Brock 25 B Farmhand bAL
Sallie 18 bAL
Jane 1 bAL
Nancy 50 Farmhand bAL
Shirly, Julia 5 Nurse bAL
Dwelling 77 Family 77
Jones, Nancy 42 White bNC [Nancy is the widow of Willis Jones. See below in Enslavers.]
Elliott 4 bAL
John 2 bAL
Dwelling 78 Fam 78
Jones, Joseph 45 Farm Hand bVA
Emiley 40 bAL
Sanford 12 bAL
The next month Jack found himself doing forced labor from the Alabama State Prison.
In 1866, after the end of the Civil War, the government again authorized incarcerated people to be leased to work outside of the prison, and 374 people were leased to the firm Smith & McMillen to work rebuilding the Alabama & Chattanooga Railroad. In this post-emancipation society, Black people were no longer enslaved, and the convict population that was formerly almost all white was now 90% Black. The system of convict leasing became one that forced primarily Black people who were incarcerated—some convicted of minor or trumped-up charges—to work in hard, dangerous conditions for no pay. This practice continued until World War II.
~The Equal Justice Initiative
1870 Census Township 18 Elmore County, AL - Taken 17 Aug 1870
Jones, Jack 45 Male Black bVA Convict in State Prison, Denied Voting Rights
1880 Census Woods-Shop, Chambers County, AL
Jones, Jack 55, Farmer bVA Mother bVA
Lydia 50 bGA
Arch 20 [all children bAL]
Fannie 18
Eliza 16
Julia 14
Willis 12
William 10
Charlie 10
Joe 6
Phillip 31880 Agriculture Schedule Beat 9, Chambers County AL
Jones, Jack Renting on shares; 50 ac. Total val $200 for land and implements; $40 livestock; Est val all farm production $600. 3 milk cows; 2 calves. 20 lbs butter made. 4 swine, 10 poultry, 15 doz eggs. 40 ac Indian corn; 420 bushels. 10 ac Cotton; 4 bales. Living next door: J H William who owned 100 acres.
1900 Census Justice Precinct 4, Fannin County, TX
Dwelling 101 Fam 101
Jones, Jack 73 b Jan 1827 VA, Widowed, Parents bVA
Hotches, Joe 38
Fannie Hotches 36 bAL [Daughter of Jack and Liddy]
Emma 16 [children all bTX]
Modie 6
Lovella 4
Marie 1
Hormon, Richard 29, Servant bTX, Father bGA, Mother bAL
Children of Jack Jones and Lydia/Liddy Clark:
- Amanda Jones born Aug 1854 Alabama - married Marion Gilliam/Gillam born abt 1853 Alabama, died 20 Aug 1899 Fannin County TX
- Samuel Jones born abt 1856 Alabama, died 7 Jan 1926 Corona, Walker County, AL
- Coleman Lee Jones born 1857 Alabama, died Anniston, Benton County AL - married Lucy Hawkins
- Arch Jones born abt 1860 Alabama
- Squire Jones born 15 Dec 1861 Alabama, died 30 Aug 1940 Beggs, Creek County, OK - married Fannie Owen born Nov 1859 Alabama, died 18 May 1850 Beggs, Creek County, OK
- Frances "Fannie" Jones born 1863 Alabama, died 16 Feb 1938 Wolfe City, Hunt County, TX - married Joseph "Joe" Hotches/Hatcher born Jan 1862 Georgia, died before 1930
- Eliza Jones born abt 1865 Alabama - married Alfred Simms born Dec 1859 Georgia
- Julia Jones born abt 1867 Alabama
- Willis Jones born abt 1869 Alabama
- William Jones born abt 1870 Alabama
- Joe Jones born abt 1874 Alabama
- Phillip Green Jones born 29 Apr 1877 Chambers County, Alabama
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Squire Jones and Fannie Owen
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Squire Jones was born enslaved on 15 Dec 1861 in Alabama. He was the son of Jackson "Jack" Jones and Lydia "Liddy" Clark. Squire married Fannie Owen on 3 Jan 1881 in Chambers County, Alabama. Fannie was born 1859 in Alabama and died 1950 in Oklahoma. She was the daughter of Hugh and Sarah Owen. In 1900 Hugh and Sarah Owen had been married 40 years and had 19 children, 9 still living.
1870 Census Beat 9, Chambers County AL
Dwelling 75 Family 75
Jones, Jack 40 Farm Hand bVA
Liddy 40 bAL
Amanda 16 bAL
Samuel 14 bAL
Lee 12 bAL
Squire 9 bAL
Francis 6 bAL
Eliza 5 bAL
Julia 3 bAL
Willis 1 bAL
1880 Agriculture Schedule Beat 13, Chambers County, AL on 8 June 1880.
Squire was renting 25 tilled acres: 20 acres Indian corn / 140 bushels and 5 acres cotton / 2 bales. The farm was valued at $125; the implements and machinery valued at $10. Estimated value of all farm production for 1879 was $200. No livestock is listed.
1881 Squire and Fannie married on 3 January 1881 in Chambers County, AL.
1900 Census Justice Precinct 1, Franklin County, Texas
Dwelling 35 Family 35
Jones, Squire 39 Farmer Father bVA Mother bAL Married 19 years
Fannie 40 Father bVA Mother bNC 14children/9 living
Elala 25
Seright 19
Lee 17
Zadie 17
Julia 15
Ernest 15
Lorenzie 9
Mirtle 7
Vendila 3
1910 Census Newby, Creek County, Oklahoma
Dwelling 2 Family 2 Whole family listed as Mulatto
Jones, Zeddie L 27 Farmer bAL
Tennie 24 bTX Parents bTX
Vendie C 3 months
Dwelling 3 Family 3 Whole family listed as Mulatto
Jones, Squire V 49 Farmer renting farm. Father bVA Mother bSC
Fannie 52 bAL Father bAL Mother bNC
Emile 32 bAL
Lee 28 bAL
Zeddie L 24 bAL
Julia 25 bAL
Earnest 23 bTX
Dewight 20 bTX
Lorenza 18 bTX
Myrtle 16 bTX
Vendeela 14 bTX
[Note: Census states Squire and Fannie had been married 29 years and had 15 children, 9 living.]
1920 Census Pascoe, Okmulgee County, Oklahoma
Dwelling 215 Family 228
Jones, Squire 49 farm Laborer
Fannie 42
1930 Census Pascoe, Okmulgee County, Oklahoma
Dwelling 232 Family 237
Jones, Squire 69 bAL Renting home. Farmer. 20 at 1st marriage
Fannie 72 23 at 1st marriage.
Ernest 40 bTX Farm Laborer. Widowed. 20 at 1st marriage.
1840 Census Pascoe, Okmulgee County, Oklahoma
Jones, Squire 73 bAL Old Age Pension - Unable to work. Renting house (not a farm)
Fannie 83 bAL Old Age Pension
1940 Squire died on 30 Aug 1940 at Beggs, Creek County, Oklahoma.
Children of Squire Jones and Lydia Clark:
- Julia 1870-1958 married Alex Gamble 1864-1918
- Eulala "Eula" 1877-1970 married John S Gibson 1869-
- Emile 1878 -
- Lee 1882-
- Zadie 1883- married Tennie 1886-
- Julia 1884 married Peoples
- Zeddie L 1886 -
- Ernest 1887- married Essie Johnson 1896-
- Dewight 1889-
- Squire Jr 1889-1925
- Sewright 1889-1974 married Alberta Nash 1893-1983 [see her family]
- Mattie 1890-1932 married Carter
- Lorenza 1892-
- Mirtle 1892-
- Vendeela 1896-
- Elmer
The Enslavers
Willis Jones, enslaver of Jack Jones and his parents.
Willis Jones was born about 1799 in Virginia and died 20 Dec 1869 Chambers County, Alabama. He married Mary George 17 Dec 1823 in Henry County, Virginia and married second Nancy Griffin 17 Jan 1864 in Chambers County, Alabama.
Most trees attribute the parents of Willis to be John Jones born 1760 Amherst County, Virginia and died 1814 in Kentucky and Elizabeth Wren born 1765 Lancaster County, Virginia and died after 1814 in Kentucky. John and Elizabeth were married in Amherst County, Virginia and were already in Kentucky by 1791. Willis was born about 1799 in Virginia. In addition, John mentions all of his children in his will by name. There is no mention of a son named Willis.
I found likely candidates for Willis's father, but for various reasons none proved to be correct. This is unfortunate because not only do we not know if his father bequeathed enslaved to Willis, but we do not know his siblings and their whereabouts. This might explain Ceaser and Charlotte Jones residency in Dallas County, Alabama.
So far I have found no records of purchase or sale of enslaved in Willis's name. And Willis died after the end of the Civil War, so his will does not give us any information. However, in the settlement of his estate we find mention of Jack Jones and his family members, plus in 1870 Jack's family is living in between Willis's daughter (John Jarell family) and Willis's widow Nancy and her children. So it's reasonable to assume Jack was enslaved by Willis. That also makes it reasonable that the Charlotte who joined Willis's church is Jack's mother.
1820 Census Henry County, VA
3 Slaves: 1 M 26-44, 1 F under 14, 11 F 14-25
1830 Census Henry County, VA
2 Slaves: 1 M 24-35, 1 F 10-23
1840 Census Chambers County AL
13 Slaves: 4 M 10-23, 2 F under 10, 4 F 10-23, 3 F 24-35
1850 Slave Schedule Dist 19 Chambers County AL
11 Slaves: F 65, M 55, F 37, M 23, M 21, M 18, F 16, M 13, F 8, F 5, F 1
1850 Census Chambers County AL
Jones, Willis 50 Personal estate $2,000, bVA
Mary 52 bVA
William H. 24 Farmer bVA
George W. 15 bVA
Charles S. 12 bAL
Mary C. 11 bAL
From the records of the Macedonia Primitive Baptist Church in Chambers County AL:
- 6 Apr 1850 Willis joined the Macedonia Primitive Baptist Church in Chambers County, AL
- 3 May 1851 Charlot a woman of color belonging to Brother Willis Jones joined the church.
- 4 Mar 1854 Julia a servant girl, property of Brother Willis Jones joined the church.
1860 Slave Schedule Southern Div, Chambers County, AL
18 Slaves: F 80, F 50, M 30, M 28, M 26, F 26, F 24, F 20, M 19, M 16
1860 Census Chambers County AL
Jone, Willis 60 Farmer Real Estate Value $6,800, Personal Estate Value $25,000 bVA
Mary 61 bVA
William 34 Farmer Personal Estate Value $5,500 bVA
George W. 25 Carpenter Personal Estate Value $1,500 bVA
Mary C. 21 bAL
1860 Ag Schedule Southern Div Chambers County AL PO is Dudleyville
Willis Jones: 300 acres improved; 460 ac unimproved; cash value $3800; value of implements etc $600. 3 horses, 7 asses and mules, 8 milk cows, 4 working oxen, 8 other cattle, 25 sheep, 100 swine, Value of livestock $2500. 235 bushels wheat, 20 bushels rye, 1250 bushels Indian corn, 75 bushels oats, 56 bales ginned cotton. 20 bushels peas and beans, 30 bushels Irish potatoes. 150 bushels sweet potatoes. Value of orchard production $25. 300 lbs butter. 10 lbs beeswax. 200 lbs honey. Value of animals slaughtered $700
1869 Willis died on Dec 20 in Chambers County, AL
1870 January 17 Estate Settlement of Willis Jones names Jack Jones, Joe Jones, (Coleman) Lee Jones and Emily Jones as being paid for labor.
Ezekiel Ratchford, enslaver of William Ratchford, husband of Eliza Jones.
Ezekiel Ratchford was born 29 Nov 1796 in Chester County, South Carolina and died 20 Dec 1847 in Lafayette County, Alabama. He was the son of John Ratchford who was born 1757 York County, South Carolina, died 20 Jan 1827 same and Mary Carroll 1725-1815. In Mary Carroll's will, written 13 Nov 1814, she left "my negro wench by the name of Minder" to her daughter Ann McCarra. Each of her other children received 5 shillings.
1830 Census Fayette GA Ezekiel Ratchford
6 Slaves: 2 M under 10, 1 M 10-23, 2 F under 10, 1 F 10-23
1840 Census Chambers Co AL
13 Slaves: 4 M under 10, 2 M 10-23, 2 M 24-35, 1 M 36-54, 1 F under 10, 1 F 10-23, 2 F 24-35
Will of Ezekiel Ratchford , Chambers Co AL
Vol 2 pages 127 128 Chambers Co AL
... to wife Elizabeth ...land... W half section six in Township 22 of Range 20, 6, ...315 ac... five negroes: Mariah and her 4 children Miles, Oliver, Stephen and Julian...
...to eldest son McLellon Ratchford... land W half of the N half of section 12 in township 22 of Range 25 and negroes: Edmond and his wife Harriett and their three youngest children at the time he gets the said Edmond and Harriett in possession
... to second eldest son John Ratchford ... land W half of Sec 9 township 22 of Range 26 in Chambers County and... negroes Narcisa and her child three youngest child at the time he gets possession of the said Narcissa and also a negro boy named Madison
... to my dau Elizabeth Ratchford... land E half of N half of sec 7 Township 20 of Range 21 and negroes Simon and Ruth his wife and two of their children Rhoda and Fanny
... to youngest son Thomas Ratchford.. land E half of sec 6 Township 22 of Range 26 and negroes Doll and her child a boy Joseph
... to my sister Jane Yarborough widow of John Yarborough decd the following negroes a negro girl Nancy and a Negro Jack
... to niece Mary Rebecca Yarborough minor and orphan child of John Yarborough decd the following negroes 2 negro girls Rhody and Harriett
... to niece Elizabeth Jane Yarborough minor and orphan as aforesaid the following negroes 2 negro girls Polly and Amy
... I further will that the several lots of negroes which are willed to Elizabeth Ratchford, my wife, McClellan Ratchford, John Ratchford, Elizabeth Ratchford my dau and Thomas Ratchford shall be appraised by the following persons William C Germany, Willis Jones, Seeborn Sutton, William Davis and James S Hussey.... and the valuation to be made equal with the exception of Elizabeth Ratchford my daughter's lot which shall be the value of a negro boy named Oliver which her Grandmother gave her less than others.
And as to all the rest residue and remainder of my real or personal estate goods and chattels of what kind and nature so ever I shall be sold and the demand which have owing to me be collected.... Executor: John Ratchford Witnesses: Ruthbert G Hudson, Tinsley Heath, James S Huosey
Inventory Appraisement to Court 2 Feb 1828 - Taken by Wm Davis and Seaborn Sutton
SLAVES:
Mariah and 4 ch Mariah 450
boy Miles 675
boy Oliver 625
boy Stephen 400
girl Julian 375
Edmund and wife Harriet and 3 ch: Ed 500 Harriet 400
Joseph 500
William 350 [married Eliza Jones]
Edmund 275
Narcissa and 3 youngest ch: Narcissa 600
Madison 625
Frank 275
Dolly 235
Simon 600 and his wife Ruth 450 and 2 ch:
Rhoda 450
Fanny 100
Doll and 3 ch: Dolly 375
Jesse 650
Eliza 300
Joseph 500
Aveline 150
woman Nancy 550
boy Jack 300
girl Rhodey Rhoda Ann 350
Harriet 100
girl Polley 325
girl Amey 200
man Neg 750
girl Nancy 525
girl Jane 450
1860 Slave Schedule Chambers Co AL Elizabeth P Ratchford, widow of Ezekiel
9 Slaves, 2 Slave dwellings: F 45, M 32, M 24, M 20, F 19, F 10, M 8, F 1, M 7 months.
Children of Ezekiel Ratchford:
McLellan Ratchford was born 11 Aug 1824 GA and died 10 Apr 1911 Chambers County AL. He married second May Catherine Jones, the daughter of Willis Jones. Ezekiel bequeathed McLellon the family of William Ratchford.
1850 AL State Census Beat 7 Chambers Co AL
5 Slaves
1860 Slave Schedule Chambers Co AL
18 Slaves, 6 Slave dwellings: F 60, M 25, M 20, M 18, M 18, F 18, M 16, M 16, F 22, F 17, F 16, M 6, M 6, F 4, M 2, M 1, F 2 months, M 27 "Idiot"
1870 living near his brother in law John Jarell and the formerly enslaved Jack Jones
John A Ratchford was born 1827 SC and died 28 Apr 1893 Chambers Co AL. He married Mary Crews Wyatt who was born 1727 in Halifax County VA and died 1886 AL
1850 AL State Census Beat No 8 Chambers Co AL
No Slaves
Elizabeth Ratchford She married James J Tucker
1860 Slave Schedule Chambers Co AL James Tucker
21 Slaves, 3 Slave Dwellings: M 50, F 50, F 37, M 35, F 26, F 21, M 21, M 14, F 14, F 14, F 12, M 12, M 11, M 10, F 9, M 7, M 6, F 6, M 4, M 3, M 3
Thomas D Ratchford
1860 Slave Schedule Chambers Co AL
10 Slaves, 3 Slave dwellings: F 56, m 46, m 23, m 23, f 15, f 18, m 16, m 12, f 12, f 4
Jane Ratchford Yarborough, sister of Ezekiel, had married John Yarborough. She was born 1793 in Chester County, SC
