Martha elizabeth jones kirkland scott kirkland

Mattie

This is for Mattie and Isaac - a family separated by Martha and her children being erroneously "assigned" to Joseph W. Kirkland, Isaac's brother.  

It is my hope that someone will recognize this Jones/Kirkland group and put a definitive answer to my question: Is Martha's father Henry G. Jones 1800-1870, related to Edmund J. Jones 1783-1856 who  migrated to Greene Co., Alabama about the same time as Henry? They constantly circle each other - and both Jones branches claim the same William Earl Jones as their own. But, my Edmund specifically names him in HIS will. 

They both have dealings with Old Martha Jones 1767-1867, which I cover in almost every Jones article I write. And will continue to write about her until I find out who Old Martha is.

Here is Mattie’s story (1841-1904) so far. 

Martha’s parents

Henry G. Jones was born in North Carolina November 18, 1800 and died in Greene Co., Alabama March 27, 1870. Sarah [Kennedy] Jones was born in South Carolina, March 4, 1811 and died in Greene Co., Alabama on July 14, 1894. They married in Greene County, Alabama, February 27, 1838. They spent their lives between Greene County, Alabama and Kemper County, Mississippi. Other Jones and Kirkland family members migrated to Kemper from Greene – some remained in Kemper and others, including Henry and Sarah, returned to live out their days in Greene Co., Alabama.

Henry and Sarah are buried at Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Cemetery, west of Eutaw, off Highway 14, next to their son Thomas Kennedy Jones, and infant grandchildren: Henry Purdy Poynor and Lola E. Kirkland. At Pleasant Ridge Cemetery:

Henry G. Jones, November 18, 1800, March 27, 1870 (relatively new stone)

Sarah, wife of H. G. Jones, born March 4, 1811, died, July 14, 1894 (old stone)

Farewell, JONES, Thomas K., Jones, Mar. 23, 1845, Jan. 29, 1930 “An honest man is the noblest word of God.” (old stone)

In Memory of Lola E. infant daughter of Isaac W. & Martha E. Kirkland Born Sept. 11th 1864 Died Sept. 11th 1864 Sleep on sweet babe and take thy rest God called thee home, he thought it best. (ruined stone) The tombstone information was found on a receipt in Thomas Kennedy Jones' file at the W. S. Hoole Special Collections Library at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, March 2007. Uncle Tom paid for Lola's tombstone several years after her death.

Henry Purdy, son of Diggs and Mary Poynor, born April 19, 1873 Died July 31, 1875 (rapidly deteriorating stone)

Martha’s siblings 

Brother Thomas Kennedy Jones, never married, was born in Mississippi, March 23, 1845, and died at Pleasant Ridge, Greene County, Alabama on January 29, 1930. Death certificate for Thomas K. Jones can be found in Vol. 2, roll 3, page 762 from the state of Alabama. His will names his sister Mary Poyner and two of Martha’s children: Henry Thomas Kirkland and Claude B. Kirkland; as well as Henry F. Kirkland, son of deceased nephew IKE Kirkland (Isaac W. Kirkland, Jr., son of Martha and Isaac.)

Sister Mary Eleanor Jones was born in Mississippi. She married Digges Poynor in Greene County, Alabama. They are buried, with several of their children, at Mesopotamia Cemetery in Eutaw. Mary's tombstone shows: Mary Eleanor Jones Poynor Jan. 19, 1848 Dec. 31, 1836. 

There is speculation that Martha’s parents had children before Martha was born. Joe Meherg, a descendant, believes they lost twin daughters at birth, and possibly an older son. The “older son” could be speculation from the 1840 census listing as follows:

1840 Greene Co., Alabama ancestry.com image 75
Male 40-49 (Henry G. Jones age 40)
Female 20-29 (Sarah age 28)
Male 20-29 (unknown)
Male <5 (Unknown)

Henry G. Jones and family left Greene County around 1847 (land purchases in Kemper County, records on hand) and settled in Kemper County, Mississippi. Moving between Kemper and Greene was only a matter of crossing Sumter County, Alabama. Not a grand jaunt even back then. Especially since Henry’s Greene County land was located at the western most Greene County line.

I include the adjoining Beck household below because of Martha Jones. Rebecca Beck is the same age as Henry leading me to think she might be his twin, a common occurrence in this JONES branch. And, there's Old Martha Jones next to young Martha Jones... 

Martha's first census:

1850 Kemper Co., Mississippi ancestry.com image 81 of 179 [Listed as JANES]
18 595/595 Henry G. Jones 49 Farmer NC 
19 Sarah 38 F SC
20 Martha 9 F Alabama
21 Thomas 5 M MS
22 Mary 3 F MS
23 596/596 Abner Beck 55 M manager NC
24 Rebecca Beck 49 F NC
25 Frank Smith 12 M MS
26 Marth Jones 10 M MS (struck through – shown as male)
27 Martha Jones 68 M NC (male)

Martha E. Jones Kirkland is most likely named after Old Martha – who erroneously lists young Martha with her. The entry is struck through since young Martha is already listed with her parents. 

Interestingly, two pages forward on this census you will find the Beck household repeated, but there are differences. If we are to believe the version below, then Rebecca and Henry are not twins. But, there's OLD MARTHA - closer to her real age than in the census above.  

1850 Kemper Co., Mississippi ancestry.com image 83 of 179; house/family 607/607
Abner Beck age 57 farmer NC
Rebecca Beck age 53 NC
Francis Smith age 14 male AL
Walker Smith age 10 male AL (1860 census as TANDY Smith)
MARTHA JONES age 75 female NC
609/609 William Beck age 27 NC
Jane Beck age 17 AL
William A. Beck age 1 MS

Henry returned to Greene County, Alabama around 1855; he is listed in Snedecor's 1855-1856 Greene County Directory. And, Old Martha shows up on the 1860 census next door to Henry in William E. Jones' household. Old Martha dies in 1867 "aged 100" and William E. Jones dies 1871 "age 51". They are buried together at Ebenezer Cemetery.  

Old Martha first shows up in 1835 when she and her husband sell a tract of land to John P. Winston for $2000.00. Old Martha signed off on this land sale as Martha E. Jones, wife of Henry P. Jones. They move on and buy land in Kemper County, Mississippi, where Henry shows up a few years later. I believe this Old Martha E. Jones is Young Martha E. Jones Kirkland’s grandmother and namesake; most likely Henry G. Jones' mother. I believe the child Henry Purdy Poynor, buried near Henry G. Jones, is named for Old Martha E. Jones' husband Henry P. Jones.  I have zero proof.  

Mattie Gets Married

Isaac W. Kirkland of Chappell Hill, TX was married to Miss Mattie E. Jones of Pleasant Riedge, AL on the 11th at the residence of Capt. Riley in Lowndes Co. by Rev. Willis Burns. [The Pickens Republican, Carrollton, Alabama Feb. 18, 1858]

Isaac was born 1833 in Alabama to Moses Kirkland and Pauline Tims. Moses and Pauline were, prior to migrating to Scott County, Mississippi, living in Greene County, Alabama in the same area as Henry G. Jones. Many relatives to Moses are buired in the White/Bigbee Cemetery in Greene Co. AL.

1860, July 9 Scott Co., Mississippi, District 1, ancestry.com image 25 of 33

House/Family 389
Isaac Kirkland age 27 born AL $10,000
Martha age 19 born AL
Claude age 2 born AL
Babe age one month born AL
Located on the same page are Isaac’s parents (house/family 385):
Moses B. Kirkland age 55 born SC $35,000 [1805-died after 1873]
Pauline 50 SC [Pauline Tims 1810-1889]
Randolph 23 Physician AL
Samuel 17 AL student
Julia 12 AL in school
Olivia 10 AL in school
Oliva 5 AL
John Whitehead age 20 overseer born AL

Scott County was located two counties west and south of Kemper.

By 1864 Isaac and Martha return to Greene County, Alabama, with Claude and Babe who now has the name Henry Thomas Kirkland. Their twins Isaac W. Kirkland, Jr. and Lola E. Kirkland were born September 11, 1864. Isaac survives, but Lola E. is buried the same day she is born. Lola's tombstone can no longer be read; but was easily identified from a drawing obtained with the original purchase receipt. The shape of her tombstone is unique, but the “shape” is all that remains in 2007. It was Martha's brother Thomas Kennedy Jones who had the tombstone made for baby Lola, several years after her death. The tombstone receipt is in his file at W. S. Hoole Library in Tuscaloosa.

Mary Kirkland was born between July 1868 and June 01, 1869; she is at least one full year old on the June 01, 1870 census, but she could be as old as 23 months. Census rules dictate that under one year must be specified in months, over one year must be specified in FULL years lived.

May 6, 1870, when Henry's will is probated, Martha is listed as Martha Scott. Henry's will dated June 22, 1868 shows her as Martha Kirkland, which is struck-through and replaced with Martha Scott. She lists herself as Martha Scott on the 1870 census. Therefore, Martha married Mr. Scott between June 23, 1868 and May 5, 1870. There were Scott families in the area - but as yet none look promising as Martha's particular "Mr. Scott." 

Henry G. Jones’ will was witnessed by Silas S. Murphy and J. L. Jones (John Lee Jones - so far John is not connected to any Greene County Jones family.) Probate took place May 6th 1870, filed in Book D pages 189-191; Book Z page 692 and pages 580-582.

Henry states that he has already given daughter Martha (Kirkland struck through) Scott $5000.00 and she won't inherit more until her mother’s death. He leaves Thomas $1,500.00, 2 horses, 2 cows, two calves, bed and furniture; daughter Mary E. Jones: $1,500.00, 2 horses, 1 saddle, 1 bridle, 2 cows, 2 calves, bed, furniture and her piano.

Henry leaves 640 acres (of about 1,100) jointly to Thomas and Mary:

E ½ NE ¼ section 12 T23 R2W 80 acres
SE ¼ section 12 T23 R2W 160 acres
NW section 7 T23 R1W 160 acres 
W ½ NE¼ section 7 T23 R1W 80 acres
SW ¼ section 7 T23 R1W160 acres

Henry and Sarah's house is in section 8, T23, R1W per the 1855-1856 Snedecor Directory of Greene Co., Alabama. And, per the two Snedecor maps dated 1856 and 1858 Henry’s land was in:

section 8, T23N, R1W
section 7, T23N, R1W
section 11-12, T23N, R2W
section 14, T23N, R2W
section 17, T23N, R1W

Henry leaves the balance of his estate to his wife during her lifetime; afterward to be divided equally among his three children. Thomas K. Jones, his son, is to be executor and serve without bond.

Dated June 22, 1868 and signed by Henry G. Jones.
Attoway R. Davis, probate judge, signed off on probate documents in 1871 and 1873.

1870 – June 01, Greene Co., Alabama ancestry.com image 491 (page 37 of 39)

Sarah Jones age 50 born 1819 SC $5,000 / $1,500 
Martha Scott 30 female at home born AL 
Thomas Jones 23 male farming $300 born AL 
Claud Kirkland age 11 male AL
Henry Kirkland age 9 male AL
Isaac Kirkland age 6 male AL
Mary Kirkland age 1 female AL

NOTE: they did not show Married/Single/Widow until the 1880 census, so it is unknown when Martha Scott became a widow for the second time.

Yellow Fever hit Greene County in the early to mid-1870s. Isaac W. Kirkland, only age 37, died 1868/1869; Henry G. died March 1870 after being very sick; there is no further mention of Mary, Martha's daughter, after the 1870 census; neighbor and probable relative William E. Jones died early 1871 – at age 51. Henry's files at W. S. Hoole Library are loaded with medical bills. A doctor was sent to Mary at school. Everybody in the family is being treated for something, which I could not determine from the records.  

By the 1880 census Martha Scott reverts to Martha Kirkland, widow. She is buried as the wife of Isaac W. Kirkland, Senior. Mr. Scott, then, is a mystery; however, there is little doubt that he did exist.

1880 June 29. Greene Co., Alabama, Pleasant Ridge, ancestry.com image 41 of 42, Dist. 86 

Sarah Jones age 70 at home SC SC SC WIDOW
M. Kirkland age 39 dau at home MS NC SC WIDOW
(NOTE that she is back to using the Kirkland name.)
Thomas Jones age 35 son farmer MS NC SC
T. Henry Kirkland age 20 son farmer AL AL AL
Isaac Kirkland age 16 son in school AL AL AL
*Claude is married; and Mary could be away at school*
Discrepancy on Martha’s birth state showing MS and should be AL, the entries for her children are correct for birth place of mother "AL".

Martha lived with her mother Sarah and brother Thomas at the Jones' homestead in Pleasant Ridge. She moved in with her son after her Mother's death in 1894.

1900 June Greene Co., Alabama, Boligee, ancestry.com image 1 of 22, Dist. 34

H.T. Kirkland (Senior) age 39 June 1860 Grocer MS AL AL
Sarah E. Kirkland age 32 Feb. 1868 wife at home AL SC Ireland
Henry T. Jr. age 10/12 July 1899 son AL MS AL
Mattie E. Kirkland age 60 Jan. 1840 Mother widow AL NC SC mother of 5/3 living
Isabella Mayes age 70 April 1830 arrived USA 1831 m-in-law; widow, mother of 7/4 living
Mattie Mayes age 45 Sept. 1854 sister-in-law single AL SC Ireland
Mary H. Mawking? age 61 Sept. 1838 S-G-M-I-Law widow NJ Ireland NJ mother 0/0

Bethsalem Cemetery, Boligee, Greene County, Alabama

Martha Elizabeth Kirkland, wife of Isaac Kirkland, Sr. 1841-1904

Henry T. Kirkland, Sr., June 9, 1860, March 4, 1937

Sarah Ellen Kirkland, Feb. 29, 1868, April 21, 1946 [Wife of Henry Thomas Kirkland, Sr., daughter of Daniel Gray Mayes, Sr., and Isabella Blakely.]

Henry Thomas Kirkland, Alabama, Pvt Stu Army TNG Corps, World War I, July 25, 1899, August 16, 1957 [ s/o Henry T. Kirkland, Sr.]

Isabella Kirkland, daughter of H. T. and S. E. Kirkland, Born Dec. 20,1904, Died June 15, 1907

Mary Lee Kirkland, daughter of L. H. Montgomery and Eula Lee Leavelle, Born West Greene, Alabama 1902, Died Eutaw, Alabama 1990

Husband Isaac W. Kirkland, Sr.'s burial location is unknown. There is a chance, because of the date he goes missing, that he died during the end of the Civil War.

Brother Thomas 1900-1930

1900 Greene Co., AL Pleasant Ridge, T623_17, page 12B, district 37 
Thomas K. Jones white male age 55 single born Nov. 1845 farmer AL NC NC
owns home, has mortgage, farm, schedule 185

1910 Greene Co., AL Pleasant Ridge, precinct 8, T624, Roll 14, page 170A
Tom Jones white male age 65 born 1844

1920 Greene Co., AL Pleasant Ridge, T625_18, ed. 29, image 270
Thomas Jones white male age 74 born 1845 single AL AL AL owns farm, has mortgage

1930 January, Thomas dies and is buried with his parents at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery.

Sister Mary Eleanor Jones Poynor (see separate article online at Magnolia)

Additional information about Martha and Isaac’s children

SON: Claude Bettis Kirkland, moved to Texas around 1892

1910-April 19, Bell County, TX, Justice Precinct 1, ancestry.com image 7 of 36

C. B. Kirkland age 51 married once for 23 years AL MS SL
Eva Kirkland age 39 married once for 23 years TX MD TX (Mother of 5 children, 4 surviving)
Harry E. Kirkland age 18 single TX AL TX
Allen C. Kirkland age 15 TX AL TX
Catheline Kirkland age 10 TX AL TX
Claude B. Kirkland, Jr. age 6 TX AL TX

1920-Feb. 25, Bell County, TX, Justice Precinct 2, ancestry.com image 18 of 26

C. B. Kirkland age 61 AL MS AL
Eva age 48 TX MX TX
Allen age 25 TX AL TX
Kathleen age 19 TX AL TX
Claude age 16 TX AL TX
Thomas age 7 TX AL TX
Maude age 20 daughter-in-law (wife of Harry E.) TX TX TX

1930 January – heir in Uncle Thomas Kennedy Jones’ will.

1930 Dallas County, TX, Justice Precinct 7, ancestry.com image 96 of 134, 2623 block of Brighton Road, house #1104, dwelling #80, family #86

Claude B. Kirkland, age 71, owns home valued at $4,500.00; married first at age 28, AL MS AL salesman of Extracts Baking Supplies
Eva Kirkland, age 59, wife married first at age 17, TX MD TX
Claude B., Kirkland, Jr. age 26 son single TX AL TX laborer at Fena Building Co.
Thomas W. Kirkland age 17 son single TX AL TX messenger at Engineering Co.
ALLEN, Cecil age 23 boarder TX MS MS Mechanic at Bread Co.

SON: Henry Thomas Kirkland, Sr.

1920 January 26 Boligee Precinct, Greene County, Alabama, ancestry.com image 178

Henry T. Kirkland age 59 MS MS MS retail merchant
Sarah E. Kirkland age 51 AL SC Ireland
Henry T. Kirkland, Jr. age 20 AL MS AL
Sarah E. Kirkland, Jr. age 9 AL AL AL

1930 January – heir in Uncle Thomas Kennedy Jones’ will.

1930 April 2, Boligee Precinct, Greene County, Alabama, ancestry.com image 1 of 24

Henry T age 69 self age at first marriage 35 married now, AL AL AL
Salle E age 62 wife age at first marriage 30 married now, AL AL AL
Henry T. age 30 son age at first marriage 25 married now, AL AL AL
Mary L. age 26, dau-in-law age at first marriage 21 married now, AL AL AL
Lula age 4 granddaughter single AL AL AL
Albert J. Witherspoon age 23 son-in-law age at first marriage 22, TN TN TN
Sarah E. Witherspoon age 19 daughter age at first marriage 18, AL AL AL
Albert J. Witherspoon age 8/12 grandson single AL AL AL

SON: Isaac W. Kirkland, Jr. – died before Jan. 1930, no further information

DAUGHTER: Mary Kirkland – no information after 1870

In 1882 the Kemper County Courthouse burned to the ground – all records were lost.

Related Kirkland family members are buried at the Bigbee aka White Cemetery in Greene County, Alabama, located close to the Kennedy and Jones properties. Kennedy being Martha's mother's maiden name and family, and Jones being her father Henry G. Jones's land. 

Additional reading on Magnolia Website:
Henry G. Jones, by C. L. Schmenk (Surnames)
Mary Eleanor Jones Poynor, by C. L. Schmenk (Surnames)
Kirkland Family by Scott Owens (Surnames)
Bigbee aka White aka Pleasant Grove Cemetery (Cemeteries)
Pleasant Ridge Cemetery (Cemeteries)