Life History

Other facts

Notes

• The following is linked by Jerry Griffitts as Mary E Smith, laterhusband of William Jones, and mother of William Thomas Jones.  It isthus not clear whether she is married to their Prussian Benz Smith, oris a sister who was born in Arkansas.
  
  Jerry actually lists her as Mary E Jones, which I first took to meanthat he had listed her under her married name (from marriage toWilliam).  He does not list any parents for her, so there is no clearfamily link.  Jerry's linking of this census record to this Mary ESmith seems to open up the possibility that Mary E was first marriedto this Benz Smith, thus Smith might be her first married name.
  
  If this is the case, then the entry of Mary E Jones in Griffitt'sgenealogy might indicate that she was born a Jones.  Then Mary E Jonesmarried Benz E Smith, then later married William Jones.
  
  1860 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 20 July, PrairieTownship, p 62, Hse #454, Fam #434
  Benz E Smith 28 M Farmer $200 Personal Estate b Prussia
  Mary E Smith 17 F No Occupation b Arkansas
  Cobel Pierce 28 F Housekeeper $170 Personal Estate b Tennessee
  James Jacek(?) Pierce 2 M b Arkansas
  
  Additionally, Griffitt has this Mary E Smith married to a WilliamJones, born in 1818.  But he reports William Jones as dying in 1860.This is before William Thomas Jones, supposedly the son of Mary andWilliam Jones, was born in 1875.
  
  In 1870, we find Mary has remarried and is now the wife of 61-year-oldWilliam Foote Jones.  Their first child is named Foote, and was bornin November 1869, so we can figure they married in late 1868 or early1869.
  
  1870 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 2 July, PrairieTownship, PO St Charles, page 12, Hse/Fam #89
  Jones, William F 61 M W Farmer $320 Real Estate $500 Personal  bVirginia
  Jones, Mary E 28 F W Keeping House born Arkansas cannot read or write
  Jones, Lorinda 18 F W Farm Labor born Arkansas cannot read or write
  Jones, Foote 7mos M W born Arkansas November 1869
  
  From the 1880 census, we know that Mary had one son, Henry Smith, withher first husband.  But he is not reported in this 1870 census.  Hedoes appear with the family in the 1880 census.
  
  1880 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 11 June, (Location &District Unstated), p 17, #115, Fam #118
  William F Jones W M 71    Farmer VA VA VA (b abt 1809)
  Mary E Jones W F 38 Wife Keeping House b AR Mass KY (b abt 1822)
  Henry Smith 14 M W Step-Son On Farm AR Prussia AR (b abt 1866)
  Foote Jones 10 M W Son On Farm AR VA AR (b abt 1870)
  
  The age of Henry reported here indicates Henry Smith was born about1876.  This means Mary and Benz Smith were probably married about1865.  Foote Jones is already 10 years old in 1880, and the 1870census tells us more exactly he was born in the November 1869.  Thiswould mean that the widowed Mary married William Jones in late 1868 orearly 1869.  We can figure, then, that Benz Smith died about 1868.
  
  In the 1900 census, Mary is a widow living in the household of her sonWilliam Thomas, recorded as Thomas, and his wife Mary Cochran.
  
  1900 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 21 July, PrairieTownship, District 7, page 15B, Hse #256, Fam #263
  Jones, Thomas Head  W M Jan 1875 25 married 5 years  AR VA AR FarmerOwns
  Jones, Mary  Wife W F Apr 1877 23 married 5 yrs 2 children/2 living MSMS MS
  Jones, Mary Mother W F Apr 1843  57 Widow 5 children/3 living AR MassKY can read can write
  
  1910 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 18 April, PrairieTownship, District 15, page 2A, Hse/Fam #17
  Jones, Thomas Head  M W 35 2nd marriage Married 4 years AR VA ARFarmer, Owns Farm
  Jones, Cornnie  Wife F W 34 1st Marriage Married 4 years 3 children/3living MS MS MS (abt 1876)
  Jones, Mary Mother 67 Widow AR Mass KY (abt 1843)

Sources

• 1. 1880 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas
  • 11 June, (Location & District Unstated), p 17, #115, Fam #118
• 2. 1870 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas
  • 2 July, Prairie Township, PO St Charles, page 12, Hse/Fam #89
• 3. 1900 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas
  • 21 July, Prairie Township, District 7, page 15B, Hse #256, Fam #263
• 4. Ancestry Trees
  • Jerry Griffitt,
• 5. 1860 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas
  • 20 July, Prairie Township, p 62, Hse #454, Fam #434
• 6. 1910 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas
  • 18 April, Prairie Township, District 15, page 2A, Hse/Fam #17
• 7. 1910 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas
  • 18 April, Prairie Township, District 15, page 2A, Hse/Fam #24
• 8. Gravestone of Foote Jones, Oaklawn Cemetery, DeValls Bluff, Prairie,Arkansas
• 9. 1920 Federal Census, El Paso County, Colorado
  • 3 January, Precinct 62, District 156, page 2A, (No town stated) 705 N
• 10. 1900 Federal Census, Prairie County, Arkansas
  • 13 June, Roc Roe Township, District 93, page 9B, Ulm Village, Hse
• 11. 1930 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas
  • 29 April, Prairie Township, District 25, page 9A, Ethel and Chute Rd,
• 12. Jimmy Jones, email to Orville Boyd Jenkins, 2 January 2009
• 13. 1920 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas
  • 10 February, South Prairie Township, District 16, page 8B, Hse #153,
• 14. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
• 15. 1900 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas
  • 21 July, Prairie Township, District 7, page 15B, Hse #255, Fam #262