Solomon Jones was born prior to 1755, place unknown. Research has not yet identified his parents and/or indicated where Solomon came from before showing up in Rowan Co., North Carolina as early as 1790. It is possible that he was from Maryland-Pennsylvania area. His (oldest?) daughter Elizabeth listed Pennsylvania as her birthplace on the 1860 Lauderdale Co., Alabama census, but North Carolina was listed as her birthplace on 1850 Lauderdale Co. census.
Sometime from 1773 to 1784, Solomon married Elizabeth, a widow of Mr. Trevit(t) / Trivit(t) / Trivet(t), with two sons, John and Richard. Nothing is known about Elizabeth's first marriage, and no record of either marriage has been found yet. Trivett descendants, according to Irene Trivette Tutterrow and Pansy Trivett Harrison (both descendants and researchers), stated that Elizabeth's first husband was said to be a Revolutionary War veteran who was killed in a battle (possibly in 1778) and that his first name might be Samuel. Elizabeth and her two sons were to have moved from Pennsylvania to Surry Co., North Carolina after his death.
It is also possible that Solomon was previously married before he married the widowed Elizabeth and that some of his older daughters may be from the first marriage. The marriage records, if found, should answer our questions.
The known daughters of Solomon Jones were: Elizabeth, Margaret, Rachel, Ruth, Nancy, and Rebecca. Not all of them were named in Solomon's will but were identified through other records.
The first record of this family was the 1790 Rowan Co. census, where Solomon was listed as a head of household in Salisbury District, with 2 males aged 16 and older, and 8 females. His step-son John Trevit was already on his own for he was listed separately as one male aged 16 and older in the same district.
On 30 March 1792, Bear Creek Baptist Church was formally started and Solomon, wife Elizabeth and, later, daughter Ruth Jones, were among the early members.
A 11 May 1792 notation from the Rowan County Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions read:
Ordered that Vachel Ijams, William Clark, Thomas Hughey, Isaac Eaton, John Pinchback, William Hadox, Richd Speaks, Peter Glasscock, John Beaman, George Stealman, William Stealman, and Solomon Jones be summoned a jury to lay off a road leading out of the main road, to go by Joppa Meeting house the best way to Surry lie. John Pinchback Overseer of said road from Riddles Roadto Captain Coxes and John Beaman from thence to the Surry line.On 31 August 1793, the Bear Creek Baptist Church ordained both Solomon Johns and Jhon Beaman as deacons. Almost four months later, Solomon received 300 acres of land as state grants on Dutchmans Creek next to Vachel Stockstill on the east, John Beeman and Peter Glasscock on the west, and lying on Howards Branch Creek [Rowan County Deed Book 14:237].
Solomon was closely involved with his church, and on 2 November 1799 he was appointed to apply to Brother Lazarus Whitehead, pastor of Eatons Meeting House, or another minister for help for a pastor of their church. On 4 January 1800, the church again appointed him to apply for help at Eatons and Bucknes Church. By April 4th they had a new pastor, Bro. Brumlee Croker (Coker).
Solomon was listed on the 1800 Rowan County census with 1 male aged 45 and older (Solomon), 1 female aged 45 and older (wife Elizabeth), 6 females aged 16 to 26, one female 10 to 16, and 3 females under 10. John Trevit was already married by this time and raising a small family.
On 28 February 1801, John Beaman, Brumly Coker, and Solomon Jones were appointed to help a sister church at Eatons Meeting House. Eaton's, formerly Dutchmans Creek Baptist Church and today known as Eaton Baptist Church, was started in 1772, long before Bear Creek Baptist Church. On Eaton's records of March 7th, Solomon Jones was mentioned along with Coker and Beeman as helpers from "Bare Crick" Church. By this time Solomon and his family were probably acquainted with the Thomas Estep family who lived further north next to the borderline of what would become Yadkin County. The Esteps were upstanding members of Eatons Meeting House.
Bear Creek Baptist records show that Jones was asked to help at Timber Ridge Meeting House on 6 November 1802.
His daughter Elizabeth married Moses Estep, a grandson of Thomas Estep, Jr., on 1 September 1803 in Rowan County [marriage bond] with Moses' uncle Abraham as bondsman and J. Hunt as witness.
By 1804 Solomon's health was failing and on 4 February his absence at Bear Creek service was noted. Knowing his end was near, Solomon wrote out his will on March 1st and died on March 5th. He was buried in the Bear Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. He was at least 49 years old. His gravemarker [see above] today is the oldest existing stone there.
