This is the note Kristin Ingram posted in her original data regarding our great-grandfather- Sadly, no pictures exist of him to my knowledge. One might surface some day from the Missouri branch of Dad's family, at least that is my hope.
Samuel Jones fought in War of 1812 and Mexican War. With the first election of County officers in Lumpkin County in March1833, Samuel Jones was elected Sheriff, which office he held for one term only. In 1832 and 1833 he is listed in the Dahlonega daily newspaper as a Sheriff.
In November 29, 1833 Samuel served in Lumpkin County, Georgia in Company 836 as Captain until sometime in 1836.
He moved to Gilmer County, settling on the place up Boardtown Road known as Pierce Robert & #8217;s place. This place long afterwards was known as the Jones place. He arrived shortly after he was discharged in 1836, and lived in the Frogtown settlement. He remained here for close to 20 years.
He was a sheriff of Gilmer County for two terms in office. I have attached a copy of the Sheriffs bond. According to the bond, if Samuel did as he was told and performed his Sheriff duty, then the bond was null and void. If Samuel did not perform his duty or quit before his term was up, he had to pay the bond. The bond is for 1832 - 1833 and 1844 - 1845.
Samuel held many lower Government positions. He was a Justice of Inferior Court in Gilmer County, Georgia March 29, 1836 to January 10, 1837. Again he held this office June 14, 1845 to June 9, 1846 and January 6, 1849 to January 8, 1853.
He was also a Member of the House of Representatives of Gilmer County, Georgia years 1838 to 1839.
In the deed book of Lumpkin County, Georgia, an entry is made of Samuel Jones. Samuel sold 40 acres of land to Stephen Reed for forty-three dollars. The land is described as "Known as theplace of original survey of the Cherokee Territory as lot # one thousand and fifty one in the fifth District of the first section of original Cherokee County". It is signed by Samuel Jones Sheriff of Gilmer. It was recorded March 2, 1842. The witnesses were William A. Station and Justice of the Peace, M.Smith. It is recorded in Deed Book A. of Lumpkin County page 310.
An excerpt from his brother William ’s letter, he described Frogtown as a center place to meet and transact business. William described Frogtown Valley as "About three miles long with a Town House near the lower end. This valley includes land on both sides of the river and is the best body of land on the river situated about eight miles from its source". He stated "in 1819 in making the true boundary line as agreed with the Cherokee was at the mouth of the Suguee River and ran nearly a north course to North Carolina. The whites claimed all east of Chestatee River which gave to a good deal of discontent to the Indians west of the real line. It was finally settled in a council of Sathis brought up by Chief John Martin who the whites brought to Frogtown. He said in his presence a number of three to four hundred Indians of all who had assembled peaceably at a set time to hear the issue".
He also drew a map of this area. William was a Col. at this time which he was promoted to when he fought in the war of 1812.
Samuel became one of the richest men in that county. He had a large plantation and many slaves. The slaves worked to clear and cultivate the farm. He continued to keep slaves until the Civil War.
He was elected Sheriff of Gilmer County, and was said to been an excellent officer. He also represented the county in thelower branch of the legislature several times.
He was also,according to his contemporaries, a good man. Characterized by fine, common sense and a success. A democrat by the old school, he was a man of influence, which he usually welded for his political ally. He was never a member of any church. Though Samuel was limited in education, he was proficient in business.
Not long after his arrival here, he was appointed to sell at public sale the stock and other property belonging to the Indians. He forwarded the money to them through the Indian agent at their new home west of the Mississippi.
The legislation authorized the construction of a road fromDahlonega, by way of Elijay, to the Federal Road in Murray County near the Summerour house. The act provided for three commissioners to lay the road out and complete its construction. Samuel Jones, Isaiah Clayton, both of Gilmer County and Richard Bearden of Lumpkin served on the Commission to build it.
He was an Indian agent and helped resettle the displaced Indians when they were moved out of North Georgia.
During the Civil War, he lost his farm to carpetbaggers and his slaves were set free. He died in poverty after moving to Gordon County, Georgia. He was buried in the Jones family plot in Elijay Cemetery beside his wife Narcissa Tate Jones.
The family of Tate moved the graves of John and Anne Oliphant Tate from this cemetery to their own private cemetery in Tate, Georgia, and at that time they also moved Samuel and Narcissa, including the tombstones. Other family members were buried here but the tombstones are badly weathered.
In November 29, 1833 Samuel served in Lumpkin County, Georgia in Company 836 as Captain until sometime in1836. Also Samuel is listed on the census of 1870 with his daughter in Gordon county, Georgia.
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