Col. Robert McDonald Jones

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/59769778/robert-m_-jones

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_McDonald_Jones

Robert McDonald Jones (October 1, 1808 - February 22, 1872) was a member of the Choctaw Nation, Pro-Tempore of the Choctaw Senate, and prominent Confederate politician. He was born in Mississippi and later relocated to Indian Territory. He was educated at the Choctaw Academy in Blue Springs, Kentucky, where he received a diploma signed by future Vice President Richard Mentor Johnson. During the removal of Choctaws to Indian Territory accepted a contract and worked as translator for the United States to the tribe. He also led a removal party that included a large party of livestock. After removal, Jones opened several trading posts along the Red River.

In addition to stores, Jones ran several large plantation, growing cotton and several other crops. In 1849, Jones exported 700 bales of cotton, which he shipped to New Orleans in one of his two Steamships ("RM Jones" and "Frances"). Jones built two sprawling mansions on his plantations Lake West and Rose Hill, complete with luxurious furnishings from around the world. According to the 1860 census, Jones owned over 230 slaves, though some have argued that he owned as many as 500.

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Jones argued vehemently for secession and an alliance between the Choctaws and Confederacy. He represented the Choctaw nation in the First Confederate Congress from 1862 to 1864. Following the War, he served as a Choctaw delegate in Washington DC in negotiating the Treaty of 1866 between the Choctaws and the United States; however, he refused to sign the treaty and left before it was complete.

He died from malaria in 1872 and was buried outside his Rose Hill estate alongside several of his children who died in infancy and his second wife, Susan Colbert Jones. Unfortunately Rose Hill later burned, destroying much of his letters and papers. In 1933, a dedication of the Jones graveyard, including the installation of a brick-wall with the stones from the house, was performed by the Oklahoma Historical Society.

See also:

http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/J/JO022.html

http://boards.ancestry.com/thread.aspx?mv=flat&m=1350&p=topics.ethn...

I have heard that Robert M. Jones believed he was decended from Jones of Virginia and carried a marriage license to prove it. I think it was Jennings on the certificate.

owned a plantation in Travis County, TX, and land in Paris, TX?

From April: http://digital.library.okstate.edu/chronicles/v017/v017p110.html Chronicles of Oklahoma Volume 17, No. 1 March, 1939 MINUTES OF THE QUARTERLY MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY January 26, 1939

Look at the entry for page 111:

Other data as follows: Statement to Martin Epps, dated Amelia Court House, Va., June 20, 1878, and copy of marriage bond of John Jennings on account of William Jennings and W. Fanny Jones, the marriage taking place the 12th day of December, 1736, the bond being of record in Amelia County, Virginia, and also a letter dated Amelia County, Va., May 14, 1878, written by E. H. Coleman, Clerk in said county. (This data goes to show that Robert M. Jones was probably kin or descended from the Jones Family in Amelia County in Virginia. RLW).

Was a Captain in the Choctaw Volunteers in the Florida War -see patent on BLM site

1820 - Treaty of Doak’s Stand I do not see a Jones on this treaty

9/27/1830 - The Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek was signed List of Jones’ signers: John Jones Isaac Jones Charles Jones Robert Jones

Who was Who Among The Southern Indians has Robert M. Jones married on January 6, 1831 to Judith Walker. I have recently discovered that to be a possible error. I have located a marriage record in Greene County, Alabama for Robert M. Jones and Judith Walker dated 12/29/1830.

Greene County (formed 1819 from Conecuh) Sumpter County was right next to Greene County Sumter County (formed 1832 from the 1830 Choctaw Cession)

Why did he marry in Greene County? Is that where he was living? We know he was not living in the Choctaw Nation at this time.

American State Papers, Senate, 23rd Congress, 1st Session Public Lands: Volume 7 - Page 19 Letter by S.D. Fisher to Hon. Lewis Cass, Secretary of War - dated 8/20/1833 - from Choctaw Nation West - he discusses some land issues related to the Treaty and says "from the time I left my father's house, which was soon after my return from the school in Kentucky, I have never resided within the limits of the Choctaw country. I left my father at the time of my marriage , and after that, until I removed to this country, I resided constantly with my father-in-law, a white man, living near, but without, the limits of the Choctaw country, and I never had, or pretended to have, any improvement in that country. There were two other persons, McDonald and Jones, whose names are embraced in the same article with mine (see Treaty) who were known never, since their childhood, to have resided in the Choctaw country, and were on that account provided with floating reservations.

This is what is known as the Armstrong Roll (memory.loc.gov) U.S. Serial Set, Senate Document # 512, 23 Cong., 1 Sess. Vol. III This is from 3 registers of the 3 Choctaw Districts by Major Armstrong for those who wished to relinquish their claims to reserves of land. The 3 chiefs of the 3 districts were: Netuchache (pages 27 - 53) Mushulatubbe (pages 54 - 85) Greenwood Laflore (pages 86 - 124)

A list of Claims allowed under the treaty in Moshulatubbes district Page 73 - Names of Indians owning farms - Robert M. Jones No.of acres cultivated: - (just has a dash mark) Entire no. of the family: 2 Males over 16 years: 1 Males and females under 10: - (just has a dash mark) Locality of farms: - (just has a dash mark) Total no. of acres: - (just has a dash mark) Remarks: Provided for in treaty

Right next to Robert M. Jones on this page are: John Jones, Sr. - 3 slaves , 6 miles from factory Samuel Jones, Sr., deceased, 4 slaves, 2 miles from factory Hogan Jones - an orphan boy - no land

Other Jones' in the same district are: Page 61 Isaac Jones - 1.5 miles north agency Billy Jones - S. Robinson Rd Widow Jones - S. Robinson Rd Tennessee Jones - S. Robinson Rd

Indian Removal - The Emigration of the Five Civilized Tribes of Indians, by Grant Foreman, published 1932 Has several mentions of R.M. Jones as assistant in the removal and as a commissioner

United States Serial Set 23rd Congress, 1833-1835 No. 244 -- Senate Document No. 512

Correspondence on the emigration of Indians, 1831-33, Volume I (memory.loc.gov) Page 99 - 6-21-1832 To Col. Wharton Rector, re: $100.00 advanced to Robert M. Jones, assistant agent, (on page 848 it gives the date Nov. 1831 and that he was in charge of 500 horses from Vicksburg to the Post of Arkansas which took 40 days and that 200 horses died of starvation on the way.) page 963 (George S. Gaines disbursements 12-31-1831) Robert M. Jones, services as assistant agent, 40 days at 3 dolls. per day $120.00 Page 997 (Whartons receipts 1831-1832) R.M. Jones - Services as special agent, 47 days at S dollars. $141.00 Page 1075, 1076 Page 1077 - (2 quarters ending 12-31-1832 and 31st March 1833) Robert M. Jones - Services of his boy Jerry as teamster at $20.00 per month Page 1081 interpreter

American State Papers, Senate, 24th Congress, 1st Session Public Lands: Volume 8 Page 564 R.M. Jones was United States Interpreter - he witnessed a document signed by Nit-uk-cha-chee.

1855 Census - Choctaws Paid by Chickasaws (Oklahoma Historical Society) Kiamitia County 325 Robt. M. Jones

     Susan

     Frances

     Jos Total of 4 people that received $8.00 each for a total of $32.00

The History of Lamar County, Texas by A.W. Neville, published 1937 - Page 80 "There was some traffic in Negroes during these years, which was soon to be brought to a close by President Lincoln's proclamation. One of the largest transactions in the Lamar County records was the sale by John McDonna to Colonel R. M. Jones of Choctaw Nation of farms at Shawneetown and the Israel Fulsom place in the Nation, all equipment including a gin, work stock, furniture, cattle, hogs and 56 Negro men, women and children for $20,000.00. Jones paid $5,000.00 cash and gave notes at one, two and three years for the balance."

1860 Census - Slave Schedule has several farms and slaves listed Walnut Prairie Farm - Red River Co. Shawnee Town Farm - Red River Co. Kiamitia County Farm Lake West - Blue County

FREEDMEN RECORDS: Choctaw Freedmen card #809 for Celia Chatman She testified that her mother, Nancy Chatman belonged to Robert Jones.

Choctaw Freedmen card #810 for Charlotte Brown That Charlotte is 27 yrs of age and she is the daughter of Nacy and Charlie Chatman. Says that the old man that is in here is her father, Charlie Chatman who belonged to Jones, a Choctaw.

Choctaw Freedmen card #811 for Frank J. Green He testified 10/4/1904 that he was 30 yrs old, and that his mother was Emily Brown and she belonged to Robert Jones. His father was Moses Green and that he was owned by Jim Colbert. Frank and wife Nellie had a daughter Lillie that was born 5/19/1900. Also born was E.M. Green 10/12/1903. Also born was Cora 9/5/1902. He also said Emily was owned by Lewis Austin. Susan Alexander testified that Frank Green's wifes name is Nellie Carson and that is her daughter. Her husband was Henry Chalk but he was also known as Henry Carson. Steve Colbert testifed that Moses Green was his brother and that they were owned by Chickasaw Carlon Colbert. That Frank Green was born at Lake West and that is where he has always lived. He said that Mose Green always lived on the prairie at Bull Springs.

Choctaw Freedmen card #812 for Solomon Green (this case may have been denied) Solomon Green, Charley Green, James Green and Lucy Green are Frank Greens siblings. Charley got in trouble and was sent to the penitentiary in 1902. Lucy married a Dunford. Emily married a Henry Brown. They have not heard from Solomon Green in 8-9 years. He was sent to prison in 1894 or 1895. They had heard that he was out now but they have not seen him. Charley testified that Solomon was in Russ, TX or Bonham, TX. 2/7/1907 - Charley is 25 yrs old

Choctaw Freedmen card #814 for Dock Dunford He is 105 years old. He belonged to R. M Jones. Testimony given in Caddo 8/21/1899.

Choctaw Freedmen card #815 for Rueben Dunford He testified that he was born a slave and belonged to Robert Jones. His wife Arie was a slave that belonged to a white man in Texas named Sim Hunley.

Choctaw Freedmen card #816 for Eliza Garrett 8/21/1899 - She testified that she is 52 years old and belonged to Colonel Jones.

Choctaw Freedmen card #819 for James Shoals 9/7/1904 - James said he was 27 yrs old. His mother was Nellie Shoals and belonged to Garland, a Choctaw. His father William Shoals was dead. That William had belonged to Robert Jones. Lem Colbert testified that he was __ yrs old. (can't read it) That he lived at Shawneetown. That he was born in MS. He came to Indian Territory when he was 10 years old. He belonged to Susan Colbert the wife of Robert Jones.

The above are just a few of the Freedmen files found.

Robert M. Jones was a member of the Confederate Congress from 2/18/1862 to 2/17/1864. The Oklahoma Leader. (Guthrie, Okla.), Vol. 14, No. 146, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 5, 1899 (The Gateway to Oklahoma History)

The Choctaw Herald. (Hugo, Okla.), Vol. 5, No. 37, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 23, 1911 (The Gateway to Oklahoma History) Has the story of the burning of Rose Hill Plantation House in Hugo, OK and details of some of his children. Says he owned a large sugar plantation Louisiana, a fifty thousand dollar mansion in Paris, Texas. Robert M. Jones, Jr. "little Bob" that apparently committed suicide in St. Louis, MO sometime after the death of his father. He and kinsman Robert M. Love supposedly killed Dr. Samuel Bailey, the husband of Elizabeth Earls Jones Bailey. Also, granddaughter Elizabeth L. Randell supposedly inherited Rose Hill.

<>

"Who Was Who Among the Southern Indians 1698 - 1907", by Don Martini, pages 354 - 355: JONES, ROBERT MCDONALD - A Choctaw, born on October 1, 1808. He was described as a "halfbreed Creek" by one writer, however he was listed as a Choctaw while attending the Choctaw Academy in 1829 - 1830. In 1831, he lived in LeFlore's District, probably in the Yazoo Valley. His household at that time consisting of one person, a male over age 16. He was allowed 960 acres by the 1830 treaty, which noted that he did then reside in the Choctaw Nation. He moved west in 1832, signed the 1837 treaty, and became a partner in the trading firm of Berthelet, Heald & Company of Doaksville. In 1838 he lived on the Blue River. He eventually amassed great wealth, including five plantations, one of 4000 acres. He first lived at Skullyville, then moved from there to Boggy Depot. From there he went to Lake West on Red River, and finally to Rose Hill near Doaksville. In 1847 he and his wife, Susan, owned 145 slaves 60 horses, 700 cattle, 175 sheep, 400 hogs, and 6 wagons. He raised 1200 bushels of wheat, 250 bales of cotton, 700 bushels of potatoes, 1000 bushels of oats, and 7400 bushels of corn that year. He signed the 1854 and 1861 treaties, and he died at Rose Hill on February 22, 1873.

His first wife was Judith Walker, whom he married on January 6, 1831.

He married Susan Colbert McLish, the daughter of Chickasaw chief George Colbert on November 8, 1838. She died in 1860 at the age of 50.

In 1861 he married Elizabeth Earls.  He was the father of Robert Fulton Jones, born 1832, Hiram Jones, born 1834, Ellen Jones, born 1836, George W. Jones, born between 1840 - 1845, Frances Jones. born 1842, Mary Elizabeth Jones, born 1861 (married George Randall), Robert Jefferson Jones, born 1863, Henry Earls Jones, born 1864 (died that same year), James McDonald Jones, born 1866 died 1866, and Franklin Jones, born 1867 died 1867.

Other clues: According to Choctaw Application for Enrollment Case 5757 Testimony on card 5757, of Bacey Folsom says (she is on card 3427) that she knew George Davis and that his mother was Martha James, and that Martha was kin to Robert Jones. She said that Martha James was her cousin.

According to Choctaw Application for Enrollment Case 3427 Bacey Folsom's father was Thomas James

According to the WPA report done in 1937 (ou.edu) Rose Hill - legal description - Choctaw County SW 1/4 of NW 1/4 Section 5, Township 7 South, Range 18 East

okgenweb.org The Tragedy of Rose Hill The Daily Oklahoman, Sunday, March 11, 1928

http://digital.libraries.ou.edu/whc/nam/manuscript.asp?mID=2171&sID=3 One of the letter from Robert Jones to Peter Pitchlynn mentions Delilah, 4 of her children are married and living in Mississippi. This letter is dated 11/29/1857.

"From Robert M. Jones (Doaksville, C.N.). To Peter P. Pitchlynn. Dated Nov. 29, 1857. Re: division of Delela's property; division within the Choctaw Nation and between the Chickasaws and Choctaws and Jones' fear of the territory becoming another Kansas."

I wonder if the Delilah above is Delilah Brashears? She is on the list of those that stayed in the old Choctaw Nation.

• Updated from RootsWeb's WorldConnect by SmartCopy: Mar 11 2015, 19:09:53 UTC
• Updated from Find A Grave Memorial by SmartCopy: Mar 11 2015, 19:39:11 UTC