CJ (10) : Grievances of Rappahannock Co. 1676

Following the conflict of 1676 (Bacon's Rebellion), Charles II appointed a commission to examine the counties of the colony of Virginia. This commission asked for letters of complaint regarding the various concerns among those now present in Virginia. [General order issued Feb. 3, 1677.] One such letter was a petition of Sittingbourne Parish, located in the upper end of Rappahannock Co. It reads:

"We had trouble in these upper parts until at last our firebrand (Bacon), who had taken our good Major that had by God's assistance so well defended us, sent to our assistance one Captain Simon Miller a liver amongst us, and since his time we have had no men killed, nor great damage to our stocks, though since this war began we have lost over 600 pounds sterling. Now since by an evil hand we his Majesties always liege people have in a manner had our lives defended by the said Miller, in gratitude we desire he may be looked upon with an eye of favor."

"We need better frontier protection."

The petition is dated Feb. 14, 1676-7, and is signed by Cadwallader Jones (JO-1) and John Rouzie (RO-1) [Often miss spelled John Bowsee.] This is the same Simon Miller (MI-1) who had land next to Cadwallader in 1673. Thus, by 1677, Cadwallader Jones (JO-1) had become a leading figure in Sittingbourne Parish, the most western part of Rappahannock Co. VA.

Taken from The Jones Genealogist, Research Notebook #80, Rappahannock Co. (Old), The Joseph Wheeler Jones Memorial Library, Danville, KY.

CJ(9) : Second Time Around

After Bacon's rebellion had been experienced, the folks seem to need to repeat their legal claims to the land. Henry Benson (BE-1) refiled his transfer of land to Charles Taliaferro (TA-5). These can be found on page 90, (Old) Rappahannock County, Virginia Deed & Will Abstracts 1677-1682 (I), by Ruth & Sam Sparacio. They were recorded in the year 1678, and read the same except for the recognition of Cadwallader Jones (JO-1) as the "...true & lawfull Attorney..." of Benson. It reads:

"Know All Men by these presents that I Henry Benson (BE-1) of ye County of Rappae: doe constitute & appoint my well beloved Friend, Lieut:Coll. Cad: Jones (JO-1), my true & lawfull Attorney for me & in my name & stead to acknowledge at ye next Court held for this County or after at any time or at James Towne if soe required a Deed of Gift unto Charles Taliaferro (TA-5) bearing date wth these prsents, hereby confirming what my said Attorney shall doe in ye prmises in as full manner as if I my selfe were prsent as Witness my hand & seale this 26th of April 1676.

Signed Sealed in ye prsence of us
David Jones (JO-2) Fran: Taliaferro (TA-3) Henry Benson (BE-1)
Jno: Taliaferro (TA-4)
Recordair xx7 die Martii 1678 "

It would appear that by April of 1676, Cadwallader Jones (JO-1) had been appointed a part of the military establishment of Rappahannock Co. He is listed in this document as "Lieut:Coll.Cad:Jones".(JO-1). He would have been roughly around 25 - 30 years of age.