Reflections on My Journey: Black History Month: Celebrating Our Family History

"Our Roots grow deep in the soil of

Carroll County [Maryland] and we can be proud of who we are and

From Whence We Came" (Barbara J. Thompson)

The Narrative of the Jones Family and the Family Bible.

"...Our ancestors, like so many other Black people, were persons who were skilled, worked hard, loved family, and held onto values and standards that were exemplary. Uncovering our roots produced stories of courage, pride, humbleness and commitment in a world that devalued the Black Race. Against all odds our ancestors not only survived, but also left their indelible mark on Carroll County [Maryland] history..."

from Jones Family History: From Frederick County to Carroll County, Maryland: Barbara Jones Thompson Shares Her Family's Journey Compiled by Barbara J. Thompson. 2010.

This narrative was compiled by my sister, Barbara. Together, she and I have been researching our father's linage for over 30 years, and have been successful in tracing our father's family back to 1787. Much of my research was done during the days before the Internet, so I logged many hours at those antiquated microfilm machines, and searching through dusty county historical information at the Frederick County and Carroll County Public Libraries in Maryland. Barbara conducted many of the oral interviews of our elderly family members and some of their contemporaries, then composed the narrative that brought tears to my eyes the first time that I read it. Her gift and talents for writing are outstanding.

A page from Bridge in Time: Complete 1850 Census of Frederick Count,y Maryland, compiled by Mary Fitzhugh. This page is taken from "Schedule 1 Free Inhabitants in Election District Number Eight in the County of Frederick, State of Maryland enumerated by me, on the 24 day of July 1850. John F. Strasberger, Ass't Marshall" This is a record of my Lineage.

Great-Great-Great Grandfather, Moses Jones

He was the Patriarch of the Jones Family. The 1850 Census indicated that he was 62 years of age and his wife, Mariah Jones was 54 years of age. His occupation was a Blacksmith. he clearly taught his progeny well. His son, Thomas, grandson, Joseph and his great-grandson, Dirronder continued their work in the family business.

Moses and Mariah's children:

Thomas (age 36) and wife Rebecca (age 24), their children, Mary E. (12), Ann S. (3), Isaac T. (1)

Maryann (age 26)

Benjamin (age 22)

My Great Great Grandfather

Thomas Jones

B. 1814 - d. ??

This portrait hangs in my Sister, Barbara's home. It was passed on to her by our father's only brother, Daniel W. Jones (March 18, 1916 - March 20, 2005). Thomas had his own business, (a Blacksmith ) was well educated and was an individual of means. To sit for a painting was not an option for most Blacks at that time because the cost was prohibitive. We have not been able to locate the date of Thomas' death, but we will continue our research. The census record for 1850 indicated that Thomas was married to Rebecca Burkitts Jones, age 24. Their children were Mary (12), Ann (3) and Isaac (1).

A page copied from the 1873 Atlas of Frederick County, Maryland.

(Titus Company. Chesnut Street. Philadelphia, PA). Thomas' name appears on this map as the owner of the property. The Blacksmith Shop and a school are also noted.

Pages from the Family Bible. Thomas recorded births, marriages and deaths.

Family Bible

Treasures that were inserted inside the Family bible that were apparently written in Thomas's own beautiful handwriting.

Great-Grandfather Joseph Jones

March 1856 - September 1945

Joseph, standing in the doorway of the old Blacksmith Shop. Joseph was the son of Thomas and the grandson of Moses. He was married to Zaney Myers ( March 1860 - 1939), and fathered three children:

Daniel Thomas Jones 1881 - December 14, 1944

Howard Jones March 1888 - ??

(Wife - Elizabeth Sodonia Jones October 14, 1895 - April 7, 1983)

Dirronder G. Jones January 22, 1891 - January 22, 1918 (my grandfather)

(Wife - Anna Beatrice Matthews September 8, 1895 - November 27, 1918)

There is no documentation that we have discovered thus far that chronicles when the Jones family moved from the home place on "the Ridge" in Frederick County to McKinstry's Mill Road in Union Bridge, Carroll County, Maryland. My Great Grandfather Joseph Jones is standing in the door of the Blacksmith Shop. His son, Dirronder (my Grandfather) is to the right and my great Uncle Howard is in the background. This photo is undated; however, it may have been sometime before 1918 because Dirronder died in November, 1918 during the Influenza pandemic.

The old Home Place on McKinstry's Mill Road, Union Bridge, Carroll County, Maryland.

Grandfather Dirronder, Great Grandfather, Joseph and Great Uncle Howard.

Grandfather Dirronder Goldsboro Jones
January 22, 1891-November 28, 1918

Dirronder G. Jones
Undated photo

Dirronder G. Jones
Undated photo

Grandfather Dirronda Jones, Son of Joseph Jones, Grandson of Thomas Jones and Great Grandson of Moses Jones. He was married to Anna Beatrice Matthews Jones (September 8, 1895-November 27, 1918) and fathered three children:

Daniel William Jones (Uncle Danny) March 18, 1915 - March 20, 2005

Louise Alameda Jones April 16, 1916 - November 29, 1918

Moses Eugene Jones September 25, 1918 - April 11, 1967 (my father)

Dirronder was a devoted father, a stellar musician and a skilled blacksmith.

Remembering Uncle Danny

Daniel W. Jones "Uncle Danny"

Grade School Days 1920s

Uncle Danny and Nephew, Paul Jones 1992

Uncle Danny and Aunt Chris
August 2002

Uncle Danny "was a most remarkable man. His style of talking and his work ethic was his signature trademark throughout Carroll County." He was married to Christine R. Howard for 63 years.

Children:

Daniel William, Jr. (Bill)

Diana Jones 

Rose Jones

Uncle Danny and Aunt Chris became the first Black couple to adopt children in Carroll County.
He was called "Brother Dan" by a number of the students that rode on his bus to school, but it sounded more like "Brud Dan"
He thought that sending flowers for gifts was a "waste of time and energy. If you can't eat it or spend it, what good is it?"
When declaring or wondering about any given happening, he would say, "pon my soul"

Uncle Dan and Rose (Jones) Allen August 2002

Each time I would visit, Uncle Dan would tell me stories about the Jones ancestors. He had a phenomenal memory! I shall forever treasure in my heart those special moments that we had together.