Rev. Rowland Jones of Williamsburg, VA
Amy Johnson Crow at No Story Too Small gave us a new 52 Ancestors challenge for 2015. Each week, we have a different theme about which to write. It’s quite the challenge, but I love meeting it and reading how everyone interprets each week. Week six is “so far away”.
“So far away” conjures many things … the first thing I recalled was a favorite movie with Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise. Remembering how they arrived in America made me wonder about my own ancestors’ arrivals. I decided to dig back and figure out which of my ancestors arrived first. Many of my ancestors arrived in the early-mid 1600s, within about 20 years of each other.
Reverend Rowland Jones
My 9th great grandfather, Reverend Rowland Jones, arrived from England in 1667[1]U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s. He is the earliest ancestor to arrive in America thus far … 348 years ago!
I’ve said it before, but I love knowing my family … several branches … helped build this nation.
Rowland was born in Swinbrook, England in 1644 to Reverend Rowland Bartholomew Jones and Alice Collier. He attended Merton College, Oxford[2]Oxford University Alumni, 1500-1886 beginning in 1663 and is listed among their Alumni as is his father.
After serving as a pastor in Little Kimble, England, Roland emigrated to Virginia where he took charge of Bruton Parish. He served as its rector from 1674 until his death on April 23, 1688[3]Descendants of Rev. Rowland Jones, First Rector of Bruton Parish, Va. The William and Mary Quarterly Vol. 5, No. 3..
This photo of Bruton Parish Episcopal Church is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Life in America
Rowland married Elizabeth Buckner (Bicknor) around 1674 in Virginia. Together, they had two children – Robert (1676-1694) and William (1677-1719). Elizabeth died on October 29, 1678 and is buried in the Bruton Parish churchyard.
Anne Lane entered the picture after Elizabeth’s death. She and Rowland married around 1679 (there are disputing dates) and brought two more children into the world – Orlando (1681-1719) and Anna Maria (1685-1760).
While Rowland earned a wage from his ministerial services, he did not depend solely on this money to provide for his family. In his will, he left a 400-acre plantation to his eldest son, 200 acres to William, 6,000 pounds of tobacco and some silver to young Anna Maria, and his plantation and home to his widow which would go to son Orlando upon her death.
I found Rowland several months ago, but hadn’t done much research beyond the basics … which I’ve given you here. I’ve uncovered a plethora of information on him and his family in the time since. There is so much more to his story! You’ll certainly be seeing him and his family in upcoming posts 🙂
References
| ↑1 | U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | Oxford University Alumni, 1500-1886 |
| ↑3 | Descendants of Rev. Rowland Jones, First Rector of Bruton Parish, Va. The William and Mary Quarterly Vol. 5, No. 3. |
Hello fellow Jones!! Rev. Jones is my 10th great grandfather and I am so happy I stumbled upon your blog. I’m on Ancestry.com but only pay US records and I wasn’t able to get much info on him (nor his mother or father) because of that. Would you be willing to share more research? I’d also been told that when the Joneses arrived in America they changed their name to Jones and it was previously something else- well this does prove otherwise.
Thanks,
Rachel
Hi cousin! I’ll be in touch via email or Ancestry soon. Thanks for stopping by!
I too am descended from Rowland Jones, through his son Orlando. I actually teach at William & Mary, a few thousand feet from Bruton Parish in Williamsburg. I’d be interested in changing information if you care to write
Thanks for the offer, John. I’ll be in touch soon!
I am related to trying to figure out who was the father of Reverend Rowland Bartholemew Jones
Rev. Rowland Bartholemew Jones who went to Christchurch College Oxford and earnt a B.A. the Vicar of Wendover born October 25, 1608 in Little Kimble Buckinghamshire and died November 17, 1665 in Wendover, Buckinghamshire, England married to Alice (Bannester ) Ward Collier.
Who was his Father.?
Hello, I am also descended from Rev. Rowland Jones he is my 11th great grand father, through his son William Jones I resided in North Carolina along with are common ancestor’s closes family’s friend side. The Hester’s who I am most proud to say is still a close family friend. Mrs. Gail Williams is actually descended from the Hester’s and was my father’s teacher in Elementary school and is my tutor, like record’s show they are very intelligent.
Hi Emilee, thanks for your comment. I love to hear that the families are still close! That must be a lot of fun for everyone who still lives there. I agree, I love finding old records like that, too.
Hey y’all! I guess we are all family i have done a decent amount of work on my family history and my sisters and i seem to be in the mix here!!! We are from Texas. Id love to give more info also there is a heck of alot of info on roanoke island missing colony we need more research done to be sure but all my research points to yes pretty possible we could be related to them too!! It would need dna testing to prove. Please get back to me. Im so grateful my lord and hard work got me here!!!
Hi Shayna! Thanks for stopping by. We may well be related. I’ve not done a lot of research on this branch, however, so don’t have a lot of information. If you’re on Ancestry, feel free to reach out there and take a look at my tree.
Rev. Rowland Bartholemew Jones who went to Christchurch College Oxford and earnt a B.A. the Vicar of Wendover born October 25, 1608 in Little Kimble Buckinghamshire and died November 17, 1665 in Wendover, Buckinghamshire, England married to Alice (Bannester ) Ward Collier.
I am stuck who were his parents?
Neal – I have parents on my tree on Ancestry – it’s public if you have access and want to take a look. Rowland Wendover and Jane Jones are who I have listed, with RW Jones’ parents as Thomas and Jane (Puleston) Jones. I have not taken time to confirm, however. That said, there are some church records that lead me to believe these are likely connections. Touch base if you find anything different! Thanks for visiting.
I am a descendent of Reverend Rowland Jones. I’ve misplaced my genealogy research, but I’m definitely a descendent. When I locate it, I will update on this site. I love reading all of this. I plan on visiting Williamsburg in early November. I’m excited to see and explore the area.
Hi Tina, It’s on my bucket list, too! Looking forward to your update.