NameLucy Jones
Birthabt 1812, Virginia
ResidenceEssex and Middlesex Counties, Virginia
Deathbef 1870
Documentation
Miss Lucy Jones (now Mrs Saunders) in account with Thomas Crow, trustee, from 1821 to 1831 was ordered recorded on 17 December 1832. Includes on 1 January 1821 “your proportion of bonds recd. from Estate of Jno Crow for your benefit”. “In Pursuance of an order of the County Court of Essex bearing date the 20th day of December 1830 the undersigned has examined the vouchers stated and settled the annexed accounts of Thomas Crow decd. who was trustee for the children of Massey Jones decd. to wit: named Armistead Polly, Lucy & Dorothy, the several accounts are made up and closed on the 21st day of April 1831”. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 23, pages 26–33.]
Armistead Jones in account with Moses Crow, surviving executor of John Crow, deceased, from 1827 to 1831; Mrs. Polly Durham (formerly Polly Jones) in account with Moses Crow, surviving executor of John Crow, deceased, from 1827 to 1831; Miss Lucy Jones (now Mrs Saunders) in account with Moses Crow, surviving executor of Jno: Crow, deceased, from 1827 to 1831; and Miss Dorothy Jones in account with Moses Crow, surviving executor of John Crow, deceased, from 1827 to 1831 were ordered recorded on 17 March 1835. Accounts mention a charge “for pursuing and recovering three of the negroes carried off by Armistead Jones”. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 23, pages 334–340.]
On 30 November 1835, James Croxton answered to a bill of complaint by George Saunders and Lucy his wife and George Durham and Polly his wife. Given in Frederick County before Austin Brockenbrough, a Justice of the Peace. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 49, item 49-D-13.]
On 26 April 1836, an answer of Moses Crow to a bill of complaint by George Saunders and Lucy his wife and George Durham and Polly his wife was filed. Contains much financial information concerning the estate of John Crow. States that Armistead Jones absconded in 1831 with five of the slaves of the said trust fund. This respondent heard this in February 1831. Your respondent being sick at the time asked James Croxton and Washington H Purkins to pursue and reclaim them, and they were pursued a considerable distance beyond Richmond City. Three of the slaves were brought back, but Jack and Sukey were not. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 49, item 49-D-14.]
On 11 September 1837, an amended bill of complaint was filed by George Saunders and Lucy his wife and George Durham and Polly his wife. Since the filing of their previous bill, Dorothea Jones a defendant has married Obadiah J. Alexander. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 49, item 49-D-12.]
In 1839, orators and oratrices Robert Jeffries and Betsy [later written as Elizabeth] his wife, Richard Dunn and Peggy his wife James Clarkson and Ann his wife John Smether and Bakey[?] his wife Willis Brooks and Betsy his wife William McFarlane and Sophronia his wife Obadiah J Alexander and Dorothea his wife and Polly Thomas complained that your orators and oratrices are the descendants of Richard Jones who died in 1805 in Essex County. James Durham intermarried with Nancy Jones a daughter of the said Richard Jones. That the said Nancy died this year without issue and that her husband survives. That James Durham is now in possession of slaves. A chart provides further clarification: Benjamin Jones had issue: Lucy wife of Geo Saunders, Betsy wife of O. Alexander, Polly [also listed as Dolly] wife of Geo. Durham; Richd Jones had issue Sophronia wife of W McFarlane; Joseph Jones had issue Betsy wife of W. Brooke, Patsey wife of Jno: Smether; Thomas Jones died without issue; Nancy Jones married James Durham; Susanna Jones died without issue; Betsy Jones wife of plaintiff Robert Jeffries; Sally Jones left Ann wife of Jas Chowning; Peggy Jones married Richard Dunn plaintiff; Polly Jones married Jno Thomas [in 48-J-20 corrected as Thompson]. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 48, item 48-J-15.]
In 1839, orators and oratrices George Saunders and Lucy his wife and George Durham and Polly his wife complained that John Crow their grandfather died in 1820 having left a last will and testament. He asked that the balance of his slaves to be equally divided between his children to wit the heirs of William Crow, namely William, Robert, Patsy, Nancy, Henry, Ennis and John Crow, heirs of William Crow deceased, Thomas, Moses and John Crow, and the children of his deceased daughter Massy Jones and children of deceased daughter Sarah Crane. He asked Thomas to “make profit” on Massy’s children’s shares for them. Thomas, Moses and John were named as executors, but only Thomas and Moses took on the burthen. Lucy Saunders and Polly Durham shew that they with Armistead and Dorothy Jones were the children of the said Massy Jones. Division of William Crow’s estate was made in a previous suit. The children of William Crow presented a bill asking reexamination and the division was affirmed, then reversed. Thomas Crow died in ____ while the appeal was pending and appointed his son George Crow and James Croxton executors. George Crow died in March 1830. Moses Crow was left the surviving executor of William Crow. The orators charge that the accounts have been mismanaged. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 49, item 49-D-38.]
On 23 October 1839, in a deposition given by John P. Armstrong, the relationship between Lucy Jones, and Thomas and Sarah Crow was discussed:
Question by same—
Did you, or did you not understand that the children spoken of in your last answer, to be the present wives of the ptffs Saunders and Durham—
Ans yes—
Question by same—What did the ptff Saunders say in relation to the feelings of his wife [Lucy] towards the late Thomas Crow—
Ans He Saunders said that his wife said they (Thos Crow and wife) felt like a father and mother to her
[Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 49, item 49-D-10.]
1850 U.S. Census, Middlesex County, Virginia
Sheet 219
Dwelling 346, Family 345
Saunders, George, 46, male, farmer, value of real estate $700, born in Virginia
Saunders, Lucy, 37, female, born in Virginia
Saunders, Thos. J., 18, male, born in Virginia, in school
Saunders, George L., 15, male, born in Virginia, in school
Saunders, John R., 13, male, born in Virginia
Saunders, Isabella, 11, female, born in Virginia, in school
Saunders, Wm A, 9, male, born in Virginia
Saunders, Richd T, 7, male, born in Virginia
Saunders, Lucy E, 4, female, born in Virginia
Saunders, Maria, 2, female, born in Virginia
Saunders, Lucius[?] H, 10/12, male, born in Virginia
Saunders, Elizabeth, 70, female, born in Virginia
1860 U.S. Census, Middlesex County, Virginia
Saluda Post Office
Page 53
Dwelling 207, Household 207
Saunders, Geo., 56, male, farmer, value of real estate $500, value of personal estate 300, born in Virginia
Saunders, Lucy, 48, female, born in Virginia
Saunders, John, 23, male, born in Virginia
Saunders, Arabella, 20, female, born in Virginia
Saunders, Richard, 17, male, born in Virginia, in school
Saunders, Lucy E., 15, female, born in Virginia, in school
Saunders, Muscoe, 13, male, born in Virginia
Saunders, L. H., 9, male, born in Virginia
Saunders, E. D.[?], 6, male, born in Virginia
She is listed as the mother of her son John in his marriage record.
Spouses
Birthabt 1804, Virginia
OccupationFarmer