A. L. Jones Family - Family Histories

     Allen Lafayette Jones was born May 18, 1861 to Major S. A. (Confederate Army) and Elizabeth (Davidson) Jones in Robertson County, Texas, married Carrie Elizabeth Golding, born November 20, 1861 to William Cook and Nancy Jane (Allen) Golding, on September 28, 1884 in Temple. Carrie Elizabeth died November 3, 1898, buried in a private cemetery, approximately three miles southeast of Westphalia. A. L. was left with seven small children, all born in Falls County. His maiden sister, Mattie Fleming " Aunt Matt Jones came to live with him and supervise the household; the work being done mostly by Negroes.

   In late 1905, A. L. brought his family to Coleman County. He bought 340 acres of land about 2 miles east and 1 mile north of Shields, known then as Double Gates. The children were:

       (1) Ewell Sheridan, October 21, 1885-October 30, 1956, married Ida Perry, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. T. Perry of Santa Anna (see Thomas T. Perry). Their children: Elton, who resides in the Shields community and Mary Tom (Mrs. Hollis) Watson, who resides in the Cleveland community (see James Coleman Watson). Ewell and Ida are buried at Shields.

     (2) Lizzie Kate, July 11, 1887-September 20, 1931, married Lee Tallant and they made their home in the Dallas area. Their children: Mildred Kemmends; Bessie Rousseau; Johnny Lafayette; Raymond, deceased; and Sheridan, deceased; both buried in Dallas. Kate and Lee are buried in Calvery Hill Catholic Cemetery in
Dallas.

   (3) Mary Hannah "Mollie," May 15, 1889-August 23, 1965, married Ben Dillingham (see Dillingham Family). They moved to Shackleford County in 1918 and made their home in the Fort Griffin community. Their children: Frank of Albany; Carrie (Mrs. Ellis) Tatum of Friona; Ben Everett "Bud," deceased, buried in Albany; Pansy Shelton of Albany; Bill James, deceased, buried in Albany; Jay Lee "Toby," deceased, buried in Albany; and Joe Matthew of Lubbock. Mollie and Ben are buried in Albany.

   (4) William Lafayette "Bill," August 19, 1891-November 19, 1929, married Oddie Snedegar, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Snedegar. Their children: Sam, lives in New Mexico; William of Albany; Allen of Florida; Callie Faye (Mrs. Jack) Newcomb of Leuders; Vernon of New Mexico; Carrol of Monahans; and Elgin Ray "Punk," who is sheriff of Loving County and resides in Mentone. According to him, the only place in Texas you can call the sheriff "Punk" and not get in trouble! Bill's children all grew up in Shackleford County. Bill and Oddie are buried at Shields.

   (5) Mattie Mae, July 12, 1893, married T.J. Dalton Sr., son of Mrs. Martha Dalton (see Dalton Family).

   (6) Elijah "Lige' Davidson, May 8, 1895-November 14, 1978, married Jane McClain, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. McClain. Their children: J. E. "Red," deceased, buried at Stamford; Inez, deceased, buried at Shields; Nelda Faye (Mrs. Henry) Ford of San Angelo; Dorris Nell (Mrs. Blake) Pinnard of Midland; and Joyce (Mrs. Jack) Lambert of Midland. Lige and Jane are buried at Shields. (7) Allen Stevenson, July 4, 1897-December 24, 1975, married Nova Estes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.P. Estes (see Albert P. Estes). Their sons: Allen Weldon "Bo" and Billy Sealy "Bill," both live near Berryville, Arkansas. Allen and Nova are buried in Gobbler Cemetery near Berryville. "Fayte' Jones was wolf hunting in Shackleford County in April 1924. His trusted Negro man "Henry" was with him. Fayte accidently shot himself on April 26, 1924, buried at Shields.

Aunt Matt was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, April 20, 1843. After Fate's death, she made her home with Ewell and Ida Jones. Aunt Matt died October 6, 1933, buried in Shields.

pictures to be added

A. L. Jones Family - 1897
Ewell, Allen Lafayette, Mary Hanna "Mollie", Carrie Elizabeth, holding Allen, Kate, beside her mother; center and back: Elijah, Mattie and Bill.