Brothers John and William Jones fought in Prince Edward District Courts over land that their father, Thomas Jones, had patented.  It is not completely clear who the aggressor was, though it appears from transcripts of letters found in the files of W.S. Morton, that John Anthony Jones, son of William Jones, was thought by John to be an influence.  This suit apparently caused a great rift between the two brothers until their death.

A portion of the records related to the suit are transcribed below.

For more records from Prince Edward County and mentions of surnames Walker, Winston, Maxey, Glover, Guill, and others - click here.
 

From the papers of W.S. Morton, transcriptions on file at the Ames Plantation, LaGrange, TN.

10/19/1943

"John and William Jones, sons of Thomas Jones, received grants to
land on the Slate River before the formation of Buckingham, and later
additional grants were made the same parties and at that time an all
inclusive grant was given which embraced all the grants - both those
given at the first and the later grants - in one chart.  I have seen
and handled them.  They are in a good state of presentation.  It is
concerning these grants that the brothers, John and William, had a
suit.  I have typed every scrap of paper found in this suit.  The
deed of John Jones to his son Arthur Jones is among some of those court papers and is certain proof of their relationship.  I cannot explain why Thomas Jones [son of Thomas, brother to John] does not play a part in these land deals unless he was much younger.  he was certainly a son of Thomas who died between 1766 and 1769, as shown in the papers I examined."

"On Feb 1792, a letter is written by John Jones to his brother
William Jones, respecting their troubles ____ {cannot read, but assume is
says something to the effect of "lawsuit"}

Brother William Jones -
I have been under a great deal of trouble these many years concerning
the land that you so often re___ that I held from you.  I never could
find out where it lay, for I was sure in my mind that Guils {Gills}
place was in it and 126 {acres}, but have ___ {read?} the deed of
Guils and find our father made a deed to that himself.  So as you have not
thought you had justice done you, I mean to do justice, both to you
and myself, as you have got of what you say is your right and as cousin
John A't., your son is determined to have his right of you, I am
determined that I will have my right also.  You have been trying to hurt my
character ever since you wanted to employ Wales, {Wayles?} the lawyer
against me and never have been satisfied.  Whereon I think you was
better off than you will be after we have done.  But as you have not
been contented, but I heard that you have promised not to come to my
house while I lived.  Perhaps after we are all righted, we will at
last live like neighbors, if not brothers, when I hope to hear, though
never expect to, so and according to your son's request about getting my
right to the land, 400 acres that father _____  you  _____ and beg that
will attend and see it run sound or surveyed and we shall know where the
line goes.  I understand you will not attend, but {I} wish you to be there
at least, as far as your land goes, to see if justice is done and no
injury to neither person's land and either carry my father's patent with you
or deliver it to {Johns??}  You may be sure I do not mean to do ____
______  cannot give me one.  My right I must have as well as you.
You shall have your right to every foot that is your right, thus shall
each of us have our right.  Let it fall where it will.  You may come and
get the {conshsion?} patent and carry it where you will and see {it}
here. Your right is and to the last foot you shall have.

This from yours - John Jones

21 Feb 1792

To Mr. William Jones
I am satisfied I never should have contended for my right, if you had
not used me, as you have where I know in___ many things besides
distress?   That place__ of the orphans.  You have urged me to __.

At a court of appeals held at the capital in Richmond (VA), the third
day of November 1798, William Jones, appellant against John Jones,
appellee, in the District Court of Prince Edward County the eight day
of April 1796, for his seizure of 400 acres of land particularly laid
down and denoted in the Surveyor's Plat, returned in their cause of Letter
A which appears from the survey to be 430 acres of land with appe___
_____ [difficult to read}  This day came the parties by their counsel
and the____ __ the records of the settlement(?) aforesaid having been
materially considered, the Court is of the opinion that the law upon
the special verdict in their cause is for the appellant and that the said
Judgment is erroneous.

Therefore, it is considered that the same be reversed and annulled and that
the appellant recover against the appellee, his costs by his expended in the prosecution of his appeal aforesaid here and their court proceedings to give such judgment as the District Court ought to have given.

It is further considered that the appellant hold the land aforesaid
with the appearances (??) demanded against him, to him and his heirs, quit
of the appellee and his heirs forever and recover against the appellee
his ___ by him about his defense in the said District Court expended and
the appellee.

Which is ordered to be certified in the District Court.
Appellant's costs in the Court of Appeals - $28.01.

Note - It is to be observed that the two brothers, William and John
Jones were living on Nov. 3rd 1798, the date of the trial of their
case before the Court of Appeals.
 

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