Frances Jones (mother of Martha Dandridge Washington)

Frances Jones (August 6, 1710 - July 9, 1785) was born in New Kent County, Virginia and married John Dandridge on July 22, 1730 in New Kent County, Virginia. Francis was the daughter of Orlando Jones and Martha Macon, prosperous Virginia landowners in their own right. Frances came from a family of scholars, politicians, and church-men.

Politics Runs in the Family

Frances' father Orlando Jones, was a burgess for New Kent County in 1718 in the House of Burgesses, the leading legislative body in Colonial Virginia. Her grandfather Gideon Macon (father of Martha Macon) was also a member of the House of Burgesses from 1696 to 1702 and was secretary to Sir William Berkeley, governor of Virginia. Upon Gideon Macon's death in 1702, his widow, Martha Woodward Macon, married Captain Nathaniel West who was also a representative in the House of Burgesses. Captain Nathaniel West and Martha Woodward had two children, and their daughter, Unity West, married Frances Jones' brother-in-law, William Dandridge. William Dandridge was appointed to the governor’s council in 1727, the highest political position available to colony residents. All of this would suggest that Frances, her husband, and children would have been quite familiar with colonial politics.

Their Virginia Home

Shortly after their marriage in 1730, John and Frances Jones Dandridge moved to their new home, Chestnut Grove Plantation. John Dandridge became Clerk of Courts in New Kent and kept that position for the next 26 years. He was also vestryman and churchwarden for St. Peter’s Parish Church, Church of England. John was a prominent planter, and a Colonel in his military district.

The Dandridge's home, Chestnut Grove Plantation, was on the bank of the Pamunkey River in New Kent County, Virginia. John's older brother, William Dandridge (1689–1743), lived on the opposite bank of the river with his wife Unity West Dandridge at their estate, Elsing Green, in King William County, Virginia. Unfortunately, Chestnut Grove Plantation burned down in 1926, but its former site was only 4 miles from the location of the current county court house for New Kent.

Along with their plantation in New Kent, John and Frances Jones Dandridge also owned a house in Williamsburg and visited there frequently.

The Dandridge Children

John and Frances Jones Dandridge produced eight children, Martha Dandridge being the eldest. As was typical of the time, the children were educated at home, their education being considered quite liberal. John and Frances employed a tutor for their children. It was also quite unusual that Martha was presented to society in Willaimsburg at the young age of 15.

Their daughter, Martha, first married Daniel Parke Custis. Following his death she later married George Washington and became First Lady of the United States of America.

One of their sons, Bartholomew Dandridge, followed in his father's footsteps and became Clerk of Courts in New Kent County. And he, like his father, also served as both vestryman and churchwarden, but at the Blisland Parish rather than the St. Peter's Parish.

And Finally...

William Dandridge, Frances Jones' brother-in-law and John's brother, entered the naval service from 1737 until his death in 1743 and commanded three ships... The Wolf, The South Sea, and The Ludlow Castle, all in the service of his Majesty.

Colonel John Dandridge died in Fredericksburg on 31 August 1756. He was buried in St. George's Churchyard and the inscription on his tombstone reads: "Here lies interred the Body of Col. John Dandridge of New Kent County, who Departed this life the 31st day of August 1756, aged 56 years".

There are a number of conflicting reports on the date of death for Frances Jones, but the one most commonly reported is July 9, 1785.

External links

[http://www.vahistorical.org/dynasties/johndandridge.htm Virginia Historical Society - John Dandridge c. 1715]

[http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=1 National First Ladies Library - Biography of Martha Washington]

[http://www.geneall.net/U/per_page.php?id=270674 Geneall Genealogy Website listing for Francis Jones]

[http://www.newkentvillage.net/documents/NewKentHistoryBrochure.pdf New Kent Historical Society - History of New Kent]

References

cite book
last = Wharton
first = Anne Hollingsworth
authorlink = Anne Hollingsworth Wharton
title = Martha Washington
publisher = C. Scribner's Sons
year = 1897
oclc = 3357626

cite book
last = Lossing
first = Benson John
authorlink = Benson John Lossing
title = Mary and Martha, the mother and the wife of George Washington
publisher = New York : Harper & Brothers
year = 1886
oclc = 1708048