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Jones, Solomon (d. 1899)

The Death of UNCLE SOLOMON JONES
     French Broad Hustler, April 26, 1899 Hendersonville, NC

“His live was gentile and the elements so mixed in him that nature might stand up and say to all the world “This was a man.””

Here in this grand old county of Henderson, then a part of old mother Buncombe, a little more than ninety-seven years ago, there was born into a position of social distinction in the distinguished family of Uncle Tommie Jones, a baby boy who was appropriately given the name of Solomon for in many particulars the wisdom of his advice and the directions of his industrious mind has been incalculable value to the civilization of the “Land of the Sky.”

The subject of this sketch was born March 7, 1802 on the headwaters of Mud Creek; six miles south of the present town of Hendersonville. He received only the _____ education as could be obtained in the old log school house of that eventful day and upon obtaining his majority was married to Miss Mary Hamilton, a sister of Col. Joseph Hamilton of Crab Creek and to them were born two sons and ten daughters. His devoted companion proved to be a faithful and sacrificing mother and in their home her many virtues and sincere piety were beautifully displayed. But their happy union was broken about 15 years ago when the home was saddened by the sudden demise of this devoted mother and lovely Christian character. Some years afterwards Mr. Jones married a Miss Jamieson, who has served him faithfully in his declining years.

Mr. Jones, or “Uncle Solomon” as his neighbors would say, was one of the most remarkable engineers of his age. He used no instruments, but his ingenious mind was never exceeded in the location of thoroughfares across the most difficult barriers of the Appalachian system. He was the most noted road builder this section has ever known. Perhaps his most wonderful piece of engineering was the Jones Gap turnpike, leading from Transylvania to Greenville, Sc., with which most of our readers are thoroughly familiar. Other important work was the grading of the Cashier’s Valley road, in Transylvania; the Flat rock and Green River turnpike and Jones’ Pleasure Drive, leading from Hendersonville to Mount Hebron. His instructions were always solicited when an important road was to be located. But the mighty has fallen. Last Sunday afternoon, at his lovely home on the summit of the far-famed Mount Hebron, where he has resided during the past eighteen years, this noble old man turned his eyes from the scenes of earth and faces of loved ones and his kindly spirit wafted to the god who gave it. E was ninety-seven years old at his last birthday in March. Deceased was a consistent member of the Baptist church and seemed to welcome the end of his pilgrimage. His tombstone was prepared under his direction by Mr. Joseph Blythe, about five years ago and bears the singular inscription:

SOLOMON JONES
THE ROAD-MAKER
____________
A TRUE PATRIOT
HE LABORED FIFTY YEARS
TO LEAVE THE WORLD
BETTER THAN HE FOUND IT
________
BORN
March 7 1802
DIED
April 23, 1899

The funeral occurred at the home on Tuesday last and was largely attended

Jones, George Washington (d. 1929)

JONES, GEORGE W. Died  22 Sept 1929

Hendersonville Times News

Builder of Upward Church Given Burial From Churchyard There

A large and impressive gathering of friends and relatives paid final tribute to the memory of George W. Jones at Upward yesterday afternoon with funeral services in the Methodist church yard near there, conducted by his pastor, the Rev. G. M. Green, assisted by the Rev G. W. Green of East Flat Rock.  Mr. Jones died Monday afternoon about 4 o’clock.  He was the builder of the little church at Upward and having professed faith early in life was one of the first members in that congregation.

Mr. Jones was in his eighty-fourth year, having been born November 17, 1846.  He was married at the age of 19 to Miss Elizabeth Cagle and to this union were born four daughters and six sons.  They are:  Fanning R. Jones, Mrs. Mary F. Bishop, J. W. Jones, Mrs. Julia L. Justus, G. F. Jones, M. W. Jones, S. L. Jones, J. H. Jones, Mrs. Arminta Fair Jackson and Mrs. Hattie Bell Stepp.  Fifty-nine grandchildren also survive.

Serving as pallbearers were four grandsons:  George Justus, Olen Jones, Spurgeon and Atlas Bishop, and two great-grandsons, Paul and Harley Jones.

Flower girls were granddaughters, including Misses Mosey Lee, Ruth and Geraldine Jones and Ruby, Louise, Nellie and Macon Stepp, Mildred, Beulah, Juanita, Velma and Wanda Jones, Usula Jackson and Lillie Justus.

Jones, Solomon (1899)

The Road Builder
THE WILL OF SOLOMON JONES

I Solomon Jones of Henderson County and State of North Carolina being by occupation a farmer make this my last will.

I give, devise and bequeath my estate and property real and personal as follows that is to say:

My real and personal estate on Mount Hebron in Henderson County North Carolina to go to my wife Anasena T. Jones during her natural life then to be sold and divided equally among my first wife’s children and if none alive to my first wife’s grand children.

I give and devise Larking and forth three dollars ….. middle Saluda Turn Pike Road to my sons and daughters as follows to wit: William Jones, Hicks Jones, Elizabeth Sentell, Eliza Fangler, Lucina McCrary, Mahulda Anders, Matilda Hart and Jane Cox.

I give to Julia Ann McCrary her husband Adolphus cash notes; to Rebecca Mullinax – her husband Erwin Mullinax ‘s cash notes: to Mariah Anderson, wife of William Anderson, one hundred and fifty dollars in notes on her husband.

If my present wife should have heirs or …by me, I devise it or them to be equal here with my first wife’, Mary Jones’ children.

I appoint Assena T. Jones, my wife, of the County of Henderson and State of North Carolina Executrix of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have signed and sealed and…… and declared this instrument as my last will and testament at Hendersonville, Henderson County, North Carolina. This the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred eighty five the eleventh day of June. Signed Soloman Jones

Page 313 Henderson County Superior Court ..In the matter of the will of Solomon Jones. … Clerk Superior Court, Asaina T. Jones, being duly sword doth say: That Solomon Jones late of said County is dead having first made and published his last will and testament and that she is the executrix named therein.

Further that the property of the said Soloman Jones consists of a tract of land containing 160 acres with about..a small amount of household and kitchen furniture is worth about $1500 as far as can be ascertained at the date of this application and that she is the party entitled under said will to be the said property during her life time. Sworn and …Anesena t. Jones before me 11 day May 1899.