The Afro-American Griot Speaks: The Joneses

By Sharon Munoz

Basically, this started in 1969-70 while I was on vacation in Houston, Texas. I asked my grandfather, Nelson Mason Jones, Sr., "Granddaddy, where do we come from and who are we?" And he answered, "They say we are Guitchees." It was said so ominously, I did not know whether that was bad, like being a criminal or top secre

• Language: English
• Publisher: Staffman Book Publishing
• Release date: Sep 26, 2020
• ISBN: 9781087911854

Book preview

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my paternal grandfather, Nelson Mason Jones Sr., for without him and his outstanding memory this genealogy could not have been written. To our foreparents who never accepted a stereotype which was intended to discourage them and as old as the Egyptian Empire; in fact, they and their communities taught and maintained the belief that no one owed them a living, but by faith and hard work they could achieve their dreams in America.  The same foreparents and community that that told their children and neighbors not to accept the stereotype that was offered excuses to them as help which results in a lot of hurt. We were told, that if we accepted and believed the stereotype of us Blacks, You the fool.  Also, to my mother who taught and warned us about so called friends, who would run with you and against you at the same time; in short, to look hard and strong at people who have a tendency to get more out of discouraging you than encouraging you.  It is my hope that others look into their family histories to find themselves through the legacies that their forefathers left them; good or bad, they are legacies well worth remembering and learning from. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel, just put it to better use.

Sharon R. Jones-Munoz

Acknowledgements

I also am grateful for the encouragement given to me by my son, Henry J. Munoz, Jr., who read and then insisted that I have this book published.  I am also grateful for my various older aunts, uncles and cousins who discussed their biographies and autobiographies with me; many were elderly at that time, but their memories were sharp.  I also have to thank the various libraries, and state repositories of vital statistics, the U.S.A. Census Bureau for information, Lorenzo Dow Turner for his scholarly work on the Gullah people in America, which gave me a basic and much needed understanding of what being a Gullah or Geechee meant.   I also am grateful to Dr. Chilton of Cotile, who helped me research my family.  I am also grateful for the help and aide of Yvonne Rose of Amber Books publishing who took the time to read and correct me when and where necessary.

The book has stories about how my family lived through ups and downs, fun times and sad times, but in each, there is a lesson to be learned and shared.  When I think of when I started I was a Jones, young, single,  cute, I had no idea how far life circumstances would take me or what I would go through; but when I look back now, I can stand up and shout But for God!  Had it not been for God, I could have never finished this book, and no one would have been wiser for it.  Therefore my last acknowledgement is to Him, because through it all, I can say as my forefathers said, The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want, He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, He leadeth me by still waters, He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His sake; Thy rod and staff they comfort me…  Psalm 23.  I have had hard times, times that rocked my soul, but again I looked to the hills and it was from there that my Help came (Psalm 121).

It was through time that I realized had there been no good or bad times; I would have been flatlined—not a good place to be; I remain satisfied and blessed with the Day.

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Contents

Introduction: Jones—Mitchell Family Ties

Chapter 1: Descendants of Kezar Hamiilton  and Hannibal Bashiel/Mitchell

Descendants of Kezar Hamilton

Kezar Hamilton

Harriet and Hannibal Bashiel/Mitchell

Octavia Jones Mitchell and Richard Mitchell

Chapter 2: Descendants of Isaac Jones

Genealogy of Isaac Jones

Lewis Jones

Rachel, Isaac and Malvina Jones

Moriah and Nelson Jones

Cisley Mitchell and Lewis Jones

Elgina, Jacob and Moriah Jones

A Biography of Dicey Jones Davis Dixon

Johnny and Harriet/Hattie Jones

An Autobiography Beatrice Jones Millhouse

A Biography of Cisley Ida Jones Lewis Baker

Autobiography of Rebecca Lewis Williams

Nelson Mason Jones

FACTS to THINK ABOUT

La Bertha Elizabeth Jones Jackson

Nelson Mason Jones, Jr.

Roosevelt Jones

Amy Bazadier

Rosa Jones Pugh

Carl Lewis

Willie Mae Jones Preuitt

Rutha Mae Jones Preuitt

Ida Lea Jones Thomas

Gertrude Delores Jones Carraway

Melvin Jones

Willie and Lewis Webster Jones

An Autobiography Louis Webster Jones, Jr.

My Autobiography by Ruby G. Jones Mode

An Autobiography Willie Tyrone Baldwin

Chapter 3: Descendants of Isaac Dorrish  and Edward Collins

Introduction

Edward e. collins sr.,

Virginia Dorris/Dorrish

Children of Edward Edmond Collins sr.  and Virginia Dorris Mcelroy Collins

Notes About Louisiana

Mooreland History

Maybe?

Gertrude Collins Jones

An Autobiography by  Dorothy Rose Dixon Milliner

A Biography of William Jefferson Grimble and Harriet Collins Grimble

An Autobiography by Elizabeth Grimble Welsh

Autobiography of Alberta Collins

Note on Teets

Chapter 4: Descendants of  the Turners and Veails

Genealogy of the Collins and Turners

Genealogy of Turner and Duncan Veail

Harriet Turner Collins

A Conversation With Labertha Elizabeth Jones Jackson

About the Author

Introduction

Jones—Mitchell Family Ties

This genealogy is from a section of the book that I am writing on the Jones—Preuitt family tree. I am currently in the process of collecting data and autobiographies of family members; some portions are incomplete, but the basic facts are there and confirmed by census data, death certificates and living memory.

Basically, this started in 1969—70 while I was on vacation in Houston, Texas. I asked my grandfather, Nelson Mason Jones, Sr., Granddaddy, where do we come from and who are we? And he answered, They say we are Guitchees. It was said so ominously, I did not know whether that was bad, like being a criminal or top secret like being a spy. Since then, I have heard a number of explanations such as 1) these were Blacks who settled in the islands off Louisiana, and 2) these were Blacks who were basically English speakers among people whose primary language was not English. You can take your pick of definitions, or even add a new one; I'm still not sure what the definition is!

Basically, I’ll relate to you what my grandfather told me, as he told it. He was the son of Cisley Mitchell and Louis Jones. Louis was born in Virginia and was nine when slavery ended. Cisley was born in Louisiana and eleven when slavery ended. During the war (Civil War) the Yankees ran them (the Blacks) from Virginia to Texas. At this point, I was rather taken aback at Granddaddy's use of the word Yankee!

Louis's father was Nelson Jones, and his mother was named Moriah; Granddaddy remembered him as he (Nelson Mason) was 19 when Nelson Jones died. Granddaddy said that this Nelson was 90 years old when he died. Moriah was Jewish; too bright to work in the fields. She was born in Moreland, Louisiana.

As to his brothers and sisters, at that time, Granddaddy was the last surviving sibling. He said Elgina died young; Jacob married in 1924 to some girl who did him wrong. Moriah married Albert Washington, had two boys (Oneea and junior) and a girl; but she (Moriah) died in 1912 and Albert took the kids to his home in Mississippi; never did the Jones family see these children again. Dicey married Sam Davis who drank a lot and was later killed in a fight. Dicey had a son, Sam Jr., who was just like his father. She later remarried a Richard Dixon in Houston 4th Ward, Texas and never married after that.

Johnny married a lady from Range, Texas who drank heavy. He said Johnny did not drink; in fact, He never drank; worked hard. Johnny was a pullman porter. He had a daughter named Berniece Milhouse in LeCompte, Louisiana; but he left her and went to Seattle, Washington.

Hattie married Willie, lived in Port Arthur, Texas and had a daughter named Rosa. Louis married Lillie and had Esther (who married Willie Baldwin, 6208 Hirsh, Houston, Texas 77036; and had Willie Jr., Berlin, Vera and Ruby), Louis Jr., Orange of 8521 Peachtree, Houston, Texas; and Ruby Mead of Compton, California.

Ruby had three children; one was named Kenneth. Rev. Willie Jones was the brother that was next to him. Rev. (Willie died May 5, 1957. His funeral was held on June 3rd in Alexandria, Louisiana).

Then Granddaddy named his brothers and sisters in order of birth: 1) Elgina, 2) Jacob, 3) Moriah, 4) Dicey, 5) Johnny, 6) Hattie, 7) Ida, 8) Nelson, 9) Willie, 10) Louis, and 11) Elvira. All were born at the David Hayes Plantation in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana (near Bunkie) except Granddaddy who was born in Bunkie and both Louis and Willie who were born 60 miles outside of Bunkie.

On the Mitchell side, Cisley's mother was Kezar Hamilton, the African. Cisley had a whole brother Richard Mitchell (who married Louis Jones's sister, Octavia) which is how he had double first cousins - Kathryn, (the oldest), Georgianna, Mary, Richard Jr., and Louis. There were four daughters and two sons. They, Richard and Cisley, also had a half—brother named Jack Wade.

That was not all! Granddaddy went onto relate his wife’s relatives in order of their birth, John (born 1886), Melinda, Gertrude, Jeff, Rosa Lee, Isaac, Willie, Mary and Joseph (twins) Joe Edward, Harriet and Alberta. His wife's Father was Ed Collins, a Creole. His wife’s Mother was Harriet Turner Collins, a Blackfoot Indian.

All these children were born on the Hackensack Plantation. Harriet's sister was Jane Turner and their mother was Lizzie Viel. Lizzie had three siblings: Laura, Mary and Clifton; their mother was named Harriet Viel.

I dutifully copied this down and have the papers in my files. This was done in 1969—70 when I was about 24 and Granddaddy was 84 and to live only 5 more years. I tell you this because had he not told me (which was the first time that I'd ever been told of this history) and had I not written it down, this book could not have even been started.

After much starting and stopping on gathering the data to back up what was told to me, I knew that eventually I would have to look up census records, marriage records, death/birth certificates, land sales and taxes; so between getting married, raising a family and working, twenty years shot by. Periodically, I would work on it — every 6 or 7 years. Then out of the clear blue, I got a call from Alice Morris, a granddaughter of Granddaddy's sister, Harriet. Alice was working on her family genealogy and called Aunt LaBertha for information. Aunt LaBertha referred her to me. We spoke at length and exchanged as much information as possible. One second after that call I told myself that when Aunt LaBertha decided I was the family genealogist; it was past time to write this book. My reasoning went like this, Aunt LaBertha has forgotten more about this family than I remember. So, with that, this book began.

The saga begins in Africa and gets going in the Southern States of America. Once I began the process of collecting census and other data—Granddaddy Nelson Jones wasn't too far off track. If anything, he was right on track. Nelson Jones (the first that we have any evidence of) was found in Cheneyville, Rapides Parish, Louisiana-right alongside the Mitchels in 1870. By the 1880s the Joneses and Mitchels are found in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, and more folks (like the Viels and Turners) are found right along with them, including numerous relatives who were heretofore unknown.

The funniest episode in all this looking, was when I was looking for the Mitchels — Hannibal and Harriet - that is. These two were previously unknown, until I read the death certificates of Jack Wade and Richard Mitchell in the State Archives in Baton Rouge. I couldn't find them on any census anywhere, then I remembered that Cisley spoke with a very thick accent and Viola - there were the Mitchels, only spelled Bashiel (Bitchual), right next door to Sicily and Jack Wade!

In 1870 most of the men were farm laborers and the ladies were keeping house, although Jacob Jones was a farmer and died, being listed as a farm owner, which denotes owning property; so, this will have to be checked out further. In 1870 they were all listed as Black, illiterate. But by the 1880s some were listed as mullatoes. I have yet to check the 1890, 1900 and 191 0 census, and most of the cemeteries, where I am told a great many of our relatives were buried at that time.

Harriet and Hannibal Mitchell and Moriah and Nelson Jones, their parents and children were born in slavery. Granddaddy and his generation (the 5th) were the first born free. Still, everyone lived relatively close by. It seems that when the roaring 20's came in, the 5th and 6th generation took off with them and that is when we began to fan across the country. Louisiana did not require death certificates until 1915, so whatever information that could be garnered from them (like the names of parents and birthdates) is simply not available on a good portion of our relatives. In compiling this book, I am using a generational mode because I think it is important that, not only are we able to know how many generations we have been in this country, but how many we are removed from slavery.

We have to remember what we went through in those times, that is our history. I still have to go through the Freedmen Bureau Records, but that is a bit down the road. Right now, it doesn’t appear that we had any Civil War Veterans, but I will check it out. For the most part, it seems like we came from simple God—fearing, stable folk.

Each section is somewhat self-explanatory. Where I am to write a small biography from what I have been told by various family members, I have put it before the person's generation. Some names I have surmised, given that people in the  old days named children according to a pretty fixed pattern, in order to remember the names of grand and great grandparents (very important if you do not know how to read or write!).

In 1880 people were also asked to name the birthplaces of their parents; in this way I was able to list where past generations were born, even when I did not know their names. I will go back as far as I am able in the records.

When this book is finished, I would love to have a picture of the individuals in each section—plus a biography or autobiography. This way the book will take on the appearance of a family album that tells all about us. But, more important, is the opportunity to make sure that at this reunion, your children and grandchildren are listed too. I am aiming at a completion date of Spring 1992 (any longer and I am afraid another twenty years will creep in there!), with a release date in the Summer of 1992.

Projected cost, most likely $20—30. If you want a copy, please sign up at the end of the Biography Requested section. I hope that you enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Love ,

Sharon R. Jones Munoz

(Note: this was written, as a preface page to a family reunion book in the 90’s.  I was letting the family know I was still working on it.)

I used the letter below with an attachment to post genealogical information, to request that relatives send me information on the family. Some of the relatives wrote back with information that is now posted in this book. Actually, the book was started in 1968-9 and worked on over the years between working, raising kids, moving, and living. Some of my relatives were elderly, and I spoke to them over the phone, and wrote down what they told me.

Sharon R. Jones Munoz

Dear

I am writing instead of calling because it would take me years to pay off my phone bill from calling all the relatives about this family history. I am Sharon R. Jones Munoz, daughter of Roosevelt and Gladys H. Preuitt Jones. I have been collecting and going to write a book for years on the family genealogy. Finally, with mother passing, I have decided to get on with it. I have started to research National Archive records and got much from the census, but still need your help, especially for dates, and especially education. To be (as I am three) generations removed from slavery, we have all done quite well, so well we have grown apart and someone has got to write this stuff all down as we have all seen what happens when stereotypes abound. Our book has yet to be written to refute this stuff we see on TV and in books.

I also need pictures of our forefathers. I would appreciate it if you would let me know if you have any. will gladly pay to have them retouched for the book’s sake. Many of the other members of the family have no idea what the sisters or brothers of the common grandparents look like.

Please complete the attached sheet and mail it to me. This way I can get everyone in the book, as they should be, along with setting the facts straight.

Sincerely,

Sharon R. Jones Munoz

Chapter 1

Descendants of Kezar Hamiilton

and Hannibal Bashiel/Mitchell

Descendants of Kezar Hamilton

1. Kezar Hamilton       b. Africa

2 a) Harriet       b. 1820 Cheneyville, La; died 1850? La

Married: Hannibal Mitchell/Bashiel b. 1820 So. Carolina • died: La Parents unknown

3a) Jack Wade b. 1840 Cheneyville d. Nov 17, 1920 Alexandria, La

4a)      Amelia Mitchell b. 1873 La.

Married: 10/31/1872 Lewis Jones b. 4-1848 d 1912 Alexandria; He was son of Moriah and Nelson Jones

4a) Elgina Jones b. 1872

b) Jacob Jones b. 8/18/187

c) Moriah Jones b. 4/18/187

d) Dicey Jones b. 3/18/1876

e) Johnny Jones b. 1879

f) Hattie Jones b. 2/18/1880

g) Cisley Ida Jones

h) Nelson Jones b. 12/22/1885 Bunkie, La.,

i) Willie Jones b. 1890

j) Lewis Jones b. 1891

k) Elvira Jones b, 1892

e) RichardMitche11b, 1853 La. d 7/7/1915 LeCompte

Married: Octavia Jones b. 1852 La. D She was daughter of Moriah and Nelson Jones

4a) Rebecca Jones b. 1872

Hannibal Mitchell/Bashiel

Hannibal Mitchell, b. 1820 in So. Carolina, married twice:

Harriet Hamilton b. 1820 Cheneyville d 1860?

2a) see above: Goens, Henry, Cisley, Richard

Milly

2e) William Mitchell b. 1870 La.,

Kezar Hamilton

My first hearing about Kezar was from my grandfather Nelson Jones in 1969. At that time, he told me all he knew about the history of his family and that of his wife, Gertrude. He told me that Kezar was the mother of Cisley Mitchell. At that time, I asked several times why Kezar’s surname was not Mitchell, also. As Granddaddy was tiring after this fairly pressing interview, I let the matter drop.

After a lapse of 21 years, I began searching census material death, marriage certificates, records and interviewing others. At this time (1991) I am still not yet finished and hope to find more records on Kezar; it is possible that she died before 1870.

One thing is certain, that by locating all the grandchildren of Kezar by Jack Wade, Richard Mitchell Goens Mitchell, Henry Mitchell, and Cisley Mitchell on the census of 1870 and 1880 we have a very good start. From this, we can formulate a possible scenario of Kezar Hamilton. I believe she was the mother of Harriet Mitchell, who was the mother of Cisley. Cisley, Richard and Hannibal spoke with an accent which was difficult to understand, and if they did, you know Kezar had to too! Octavia and Richard named their first daughter Kathryn, which could very well be a corruption of the name Kezar.

Willie Jones, nephew of Jack Wade, stated on Jack's death certificate that Harriet Mitchell was born in Cheneyville, Rapides Parish, Louisiana. Jack Wade was also born in Cheneyville in 1840. If we say that Kezar was about 40 when Jack was born, that would place her birthdate about 1800. Granddaddy said that she was from Africa and was small in stature. Both Harriet and Hannibal Mitchell were born in Louisiana. I think that Milly, named in the 1870 census, is Hannibal s second wife and that Harriet died some time before 1870. I am looking forward to visiting the gravesites of our folks in LeCompte, Pineville and Cheneyville, in hopes of perhaps finding a trace of her.

Harriet and Hannibal Bashiel/Mitchell

I was thrilled to find the death certificates of Jack Wade and Richard Mitchell. That was the first time that I was presented clear evidence as to who their parents were. Until then, I accepted Granddaddy's statement that Kezar Hamilton was the mother of Cisley Mitchell.

As it turns out, in checking the 1870 census, Cheneyville, Rapides Parish, Louisiana I looked and looked until I saw the neighbors of Jack and 'Sicily' and saw Hannibal Bashiel and Richard Bashiel. Then I remembered they had some thick accents which can easily account for Bashiel (Bitchual) meaning Mitchell.

With that, the entire family was found. Hannibal, born 1820 in South Carolina; 'Milly' born in 1830 in Mississippi; Goens, born in 1845 in Louisiana; Henry, born in 1850 in Louisiana; and Richard, born in 1855 in Louisiana. Richard lived with several others next door to  ‘Sicily' and Jack. All the men were farm laborers and the women 'kept house.

It is clear from the death certificates that their mother was Harriet Mitchell had Jack Wade, and Hannibal was the father of Richard, just as Granddaddy said, they were half-brothers. My guess is that Harriet died before 1870 and Hannibal remarried to Milly. Milly was not old enough to be the mother of any of these kids.  I have to check for marriage certificates and at cemeteries. But one thing is certain, the family lived near each