Major Thomas Jones
Encyclopedia
Major Thomas Jones emigrated to Rhode Island
from Strabane
, in Ireland
. There he married Freelove Townsend, daughter of Captain Thomas Townsend, and would go on to serve as a privateer
, and later be an influential figure on Long Island
.
, Aghrim, and at the capitulation of Limerick
, serving under William III of England
and under James II of Ireland. For this service he attained the rank of Major.
Major Thomas Jones emigrated to America where he met and married Freelove Townsend, daughter of Captain Thomas Townsend
, while in Warwick, Rhode Island
. After that he was outfitted as a privateer and absent for three years, during which time he made many captures. His father-in-law Captain Thomas Townsend moved to Oyster Bay with his daughter Freelove.
Freelove Townsend was a woman of great intelligence and ability. Following Major Thomas Jones death, management of his estates was given over to her, as well as the education of their children. She was baptized in 1702 by the famous George Keith
and the Rev. John Thomas, who were sent by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts
.
In 1688 Captain Thomas Townsend had bought of the Massapequa
Indians a piece of land at South Oyster Bay
, after which he gave it in 1695 "unto Thomas Jones of Oyster Bay, my son-in-law, and to Freelove his wife, my daughter." In 1696 Major Thomas Jones built the first house of bricks so far east on Long Island.
Thomas Jones was admitted an associate freeholder under the original patent of Oyster Bay, granted by Governor Andros, September 29, 1677. Lord Cornbury, the Governor of New York, commissioned him to be Captain of Militia in Queens County, October 20, 1702. Two years later, on October 14, 1704, he was appointed High Sheriff of Queens, and on April 3, 1706, was made Major of the Queens County Regiment. Governor Hunter appointed Jones the "Ranger General of the Island of Nassau", the legal name then referring to Long Island. This commission started September 4, 1710, made him an officer of the Crown, with "Royal rights" or franchises of waifs, estrays, hunting, royal fish, treasure trove, mines, deodands, forfeitures, and the like.
Major Jones died 13 Dec 1713, and was buried on a slight elevation on the let bank of the Massapequa. His tombstone made of hard red sandstone of Rhode Island, bore an inscription written by himself (with original spelling preserved):
Judge Thomas Jones, was son of David Jones and Anna Willet born 30 Apr 1731 at his father's house in Fort Neck. Later he became Recorder of the City of New York and Judge of the Supreme Court, which later office he held until the close of the Revolutionary War when he was forced to leave the country for England where he wrote his History of New York During the Revolutionary War. During the Revolutionary War it is recounted how his house at Fort Neck was broken open and plundered by a party of rebels from New England in November 1779.
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
from Strabane
Strabane
Strabane , historically spelt Straban,is a town in west County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It contains the headquarters of Strabane District Council....
, in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. There he married Freelove Townsend, daughter of Captain Thomas Townsend, and would go on to serve as a privateer
Privateer
A privateer is a private person or ship authorized by a government by letters of marque to attack foreign shipping during wartime. Privateering was a way of mobilizing armed ships and sailors without having to spend public money or commit naval officers...
, and later be an influential figure on Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
.
History
Thomas Jones was born about 1665. He fought in the Battle of the BoyneBattle of the Boyne
The Battle of the Boyne was fought in 1690 between two rival claimants of the English, Scottish and Irish thronesthe Catholic King James and the Protestant King William across the River Boyne near Drogheda on the east coast of Ireland...
, Aghrim, and at the capitulation of Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
, serving under William III of England
William III of England
William III & II was a sovereign Prince of Orange of the House of Orange-Nassau by birth. From 1672 he governed as Stadtholder William III of Orange over Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel of the Dutch Republic. From 1689 he reigned as William III over England and Ireland...
and under James II of Ireland. For this service he attained the rank of Major.
Major Thomas Jones emigrated to America where he met and married Freelove Townsend, daughter of Captain Thomas Townsend
Captain Thomas Townsend
Captain Thomas Townsend was an early settler of the American Colonies. Captain Townsend was the son of John Townsend and his wife Elizabeth, both early settlers on Long Island.-Biography:...
, while in Warwick, Rhode Island
Warwick, Rhode Island
Warwick is a city in Kent County, Rhode Island, United States. It is the second largest city in the state, with a population of 82,672 at the 2010 census. Its mayor has been Scott Avedisian since 2000...
. After that he was outfitted as a privateer and absent for three years, during which time he made many captures. His father-in-law Captain Thomas Townsend moved to Oyster Bay with his daughter Freelove.
Freelove Townsend was a woman of great intelligence and ability. Following Major Thomas Jones death, management of his estates was given over to her, as well as the education of their children. She was baptized in 1702 by the famous George Keith
George Keith
George Keith was a Scottish missionary.-Life:Born in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, to a Presbyterian family, he received an M.A. from the University of Aberdeen...
and the Rev. John Thomas, who were sent by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts
USPG
The USPG or United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel is a 300-year-old Anglican missionary organization, formed originally as the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts in 1701...
.
In 1688 Captain Thomas Townsend had bought of the Massapequa
Metoac
Metoac is the collective name for the group of culturally and linguistically related Native American settlements roughly east of what is now the Nassau County line on, Long Island in New York at the time of European contact in the 17th century. Metoac does not specifically refer to political,...
Indians a piece of land at South Oyster Bay
South Oyster Bay
South Oyster Bay is a natural harbor along the western portion of the south shore of Long Island in New York in the United States. The harbor is formed by Jones Beach Island, a barrier island on the southern side of Long Island. It is approximately 3 mi wide between the two islands, and...
, after which he gave it in 1695 "unto Thomas Jones of Oyster Bay, my son-in-law, and to Freelove his wife, my daughter." In 1696 Major Thomas Jones built the first house of bricks so far east on Long Island.
Thomas Jones was admitted an associate freeholder under the original patent of Oyster Bay, granted by Governor Andros, September 29, 1677. Lord Cornbury, the Governor of New York, commissioned him to be Captain of Militia in Queens County, October 20, 1702. Two years later, on October 14, 1704, he was appointed High Sheriff of Queens, and on April 3, 1706, was made Major of the Queens County Regiment. Governor Hunter appointed Jones the "Ranger General of the Island of Nassau", the legal name then referring to Long Island. This commission started September 4, 1710, made him an officer of the Crown, with "Royal rights" or franchises of waifs, estrays, hunting, royal fish, treasure trove, mines, deodands, forfeitures, and the like.
Major Jones died 13 Dec 1713, and was buried on a slight elevation on the let bank of the Massapequa. His tombstone made of hard red sandstone of Rhode Island, bore an inscription written by himself (with original spelling preserved):
Here Lyes Interred The Body of
Major Thomas Jones, who came from
Strabane, in the Kingdom of Ireland,
Settled here, and Died, December, 1713.
From distant Lands to this Wild Waste he came,
This Seat he chose, and here he fix'd his Name.
Long May his Sons this Peaceful Spot Injoy,
And no Ill Fate his Offspring here Annoy.
Famous Descendants
Judge David Jones, son of Major Thomas Jones and Freelove Townsend, was born 16 Sept 1699. He became Judge of Queens County in 1734, and in 1763 was the 2nd Justice of the Superme Court of New York, sitting for ten years.Judge Thomas Jones, was son of David Jones and Anna Willet born 30 Apr 1731 at his father's house in Fort Neck. Later he became Recorder of the City of New York and Judge of the Supreme Court, which later office he held until the close of the Revolutionary War when he was forced to leave the country for England where he wrote his History of New York During the Revolutionary War. During the Revolutionary War it is recounted how his house at Fort Neck was broken open and plundered by a party of rebels from New England in November 1779.