Charles H. Jones (b.
circa 1847 - d. 1903)
MSA SC 3520-5146
USCT Soldier, Kent County, Maryland
Biography:
Charles H. Jones was born in Betterton, Kent County, Maryland1 around March 15 18472. Jones did not have to endure the perils of slavery as he was free born. 3 Before the war he was a farmer by occupation in Kent County. 4 As the Civil War progressed, Abraham Lincoln enacted the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863 enabling free blacks and slaves to join the war effort for the Union cause. 5 Although, Maryland was not considered part of the proclamation, many still took advantage of the opportunity. 6 Free blacks, such as Jones, would help in leading the crusade against slavery.
Jones enlisted in Company F of the 7th U.S. Colored Troops regiment on September 27, 1863. 7 During the war, he served as a private before being promoted to corporal. 8 The 7th regiment participated in numerous battles that included places, such as Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. 9 While in Florida, Jones' Company (F) was one of three sent to protect Fort Hatch, a Union camp near Jacksonville. 10 It was in Jacksonville that he contracted a disease within his right eye. 11 That disease would hinder him for the remainder of his life. Charles H. Jones was officially discharged from the army on October 13, 1866 at Indianola, Texas. 12 The regiment was in Indianola for 18 months after the war serving as a garrison. 13 However, Company F was ordered to Lavaca, Texas where they were required to patrol prisoners and administering the oath of allegiance. 14
After the war, he married
Frances Perkins in Kent
County, Maryland. 15 According to an affidavit from Frances'
sister,
Rachel Perkins, the two were married in Chestertown, Maryland at the
home
of Rev. Wm. Frisby. 16 They married just two years after his
discharge
on June 17, 1868. By 1890, a pension application acknowledges
his
various disabilities including disease of the eyes, heart and head,
while
also suffering from rheumatism and neuralgia. 17 In 1898,
Charles and
Frances had four children listed on a pension application with their
birth
dates ranging from 1873 to 1885. 18 The couple moved to
Baltimore after
their marriage where they resided at 946 South Eutaw Street19 and 623
King
Street20. It was the latter address where Charles H. Jones died
on
July 2, 1903. 21 He was buried at the National Cemetery in
Baltimore
on July 5, 1903. 22
9. Callum, 41.
10. Ibid., 19.
11. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (U.S. Colored Troops Pension File Collection) [MSA SC 4126] Charles H. Jones, Box 16, Folder 316, Pages 5, 16.Researched and written by Tanner Sparks, 2012.
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