Jones County timeline

Jones County NC Timeline

1710 - Jones and Craven Counties were settled by German Palatines and by the Swiss who were led by Baron Christopher de Graffenried. These people suffered many hardships during their first years in the new land. Soon, they were caught in the midst of Cary's Rebellion and the Tuscarora War. Homes were burned, crops were destroyed and people were killed. The Baron returned to Europe a broken man, and the settlements ceased to exist as distinct communities. Settlers were scattered along the Trent River. The river was named after the Trent River in England.

1711 - Tuscorora Indian raid

1713 - Trent Town was settled, later called Trenton

1730 - Michael Koonce born

1740 - Isham Gunter born in Virginia

1741 - Lucy Koonce born

1771 - John Gunter married second wife LUCY KOONCE Abt. 1771 in JONES COUNTY, NC, daughter of George KOONCE.

1772 - Richard Gunter fought in the battle of Alamance with the Chatham County, NC: Regimental Return of September 23 commanded by Capt. Stephen Poe

1773 - Isham Gunter Bill of Sale,recorded Chatham Co, NC Deed Book A, Pg 354 & 355, 4 MAY,
Robert Dunkin (Duncan?) sold several items including "one improvement ofland whereon I now live" (no description of land) to Isham for 30 pounds proclamation money. Proved by Wm Johnston per Pg 19 of Chatham Co, NCMinutes, 9 AUG 1774.

1774 - Richard Gunter and Elizabeth his wife, sell to Robert Patterson, for 110 pds, 100 acres on S. side of Haw River, including the plantation the said Gunter now lives on.

1777 - October 22, Entry Taker John Ramsey to surveyor D.S. Rutherford to survey 100 acres of land for Isham Gunter on South side of Robinson's Creek in Chatham Co, NC. Grant #507

1778 - George Koonce died Jan. 28 at the age of 73.

1778 - July 28, Petition of inhabitants of upper Craven county to form Jones County,signed by George & Michael Koonce, as well as Richard, John Sr., and Samuel Gunter.

1779 - Isham & his brother Thomas witnessed the Will of Richard Gunter, written in Jones County, NC on 17 NOV 1779.

1779 - Trenton became the county seat of Jones County in 1779 and a small brick courthouse was built which was burned during the Civil War by northern troops.

1781 - Isham Gunter Sr. is mentioned in John Gunter Sr's will written 21 JUN 1781 (Jones Co, NC Will Book A, Pg 26 & 27). Children listed in orderas John, Lucy Duncan, Isham, Thomas, Samuel, Mary Duncan, and Joshua. Children listed from father's second marriage were Charles, Wiley &Nancy Gunter. The latter children were born by Isham's step mother LucyKoonce Gunter (of Jones County, NC). Lucy is documented as being bornin 1741.

1781 - On August 17, a Patriot militia, commanded by Brig. Gen. Alexander Lillington, attempted to stop the British advance. At Webber's Bridge, locatedover the Trent River, the militia attacked the British, commanded by Maj. James Craig. The British were managed to be delayed, forcing them to find another route.The militia was ordered not to bring on a major battle, so they did not pursue the British.

1782 - Michael Koonce died. Will probated Sept. 1782.

1785 - As Admstrx for John Sr, Lucy sold 100 acres of estate to Abraham Simmons on March 28, just before she married him.

1785 - Lucy married Abraham Busset Simmons on April 3

1786 - Lucy & Abraham have a son, Thomas Simmons, born on March 29 at midnight

1788 - May 26,1788. John Gunter of Chatham CO, NC sold land to BENJAMIN WILCOCKSof Jones Co, NC for 150 pds. 100 acres on S. side of Trent River at Deep Neck being plantation whereon John Gunter formerly lived at dividing line between Hunter and Michael Koonce to old mill.

1797 - Lucy Koonce Gunter Simmons died on May 28.

1800 - Jan. 30, Wiley Gunter married Rezin Simmons

1825 - Benjamin Wilcox died Jan. 31, willing land brought from John Gunter to his son Thomas Wilcox.