Hello Richard. "Brick walls" can be daunting, but there is usually a way around, or over, or under, or through! Bath Co. VA was formed 1791 out of parts of Augusta, Botetourt and Greenbrier counties. It was named for its "Hot Springs and thermal baths" for cases of gout, rheumatism, and diseases of the liver! It is often helpful to organize a time line of the counties formation which would give you a focal point to direct your research. For example: Bath Co. formed 1791 Augusta Botetourt Greenbrier formed 1745 formed 1770 formed 1778 Orange 1734 Augusta 1745 Botetourt and parts of Rockbridge Montgomery Spotsylvania 1721 Spotsylvania 1721 Augusta 1745 Essex, King William King and Queen.........all before 1721 What this shows is a common thread which localizes to the area of Spotsylvania ca. 1720. Spotsyvania was a key "jumping off point" of many early VA families. A key reference is Forgotten Companions, The First Settlers of Spotsylvania County and Fredericksburgh Town, (with Notes on Early Land Use), by Paula S. Felder. Several familles had an interest in the Shenandoah Valley and received large land grants in what was to become Orange and August Counties. The text entitled:Kegley's Virginia Frontier, describes the early settlement of this region and the Caldwell family were pioneers on the Beverly Manor land, Cub Creek. A John Caldwell lead a Presbyterian Colony to the area ca 1740. Copies of these texts are available at the Joseph Wheeler Jones Memorial Library, Danville, KY. I would suggest following the Caldwell family from the Shenandoah Valley and see if they connect to the same geographic area as your JONES family. Hope this is helpful. Jerry. The Jones Genealogist.
I am new to this list and was looking for help for a dead end, brick wall, shy (whatever) ancestor. Her name is Mary Ann Jones, born in Memphis, Shelby Tennessee. She married Fields B. Jacaway in Missouri abt 1833, when he died she married James Bates, and died in Canada. Thank you for all your help. Trina "You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him." James D. Miles God bless our servicemen and women, where ever they may be! --------------------------------- Yahoo! Sports Rekindle the Rivalries. Sign up for Fantasy Football