Early in the summer months of 2014 a death certificate surfaced for Martha Jones. The certificate (File#32660 issued by the State Board of Health) verifies her burial in Union Campground Cemetery.

She was the wife of Warren Jones, also buried in the cemetery.  Information on the certificate states Martha was born in Tennessee on 4 Jun 1833, and when she died from paralysis agitare in 1912 she was 79 years old, 4 months and 25 days. She was a widow at the time of her death. Her father’s name was H. Jarrett, born in Tennessee, and her mother’s name was Martha Ricks, born in Tennessee. A supplementary death certificate (with the same file number as above) gives the date of death as 9 October 1912.  Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Paxson Undertaking Company.

The 1900 Federal Census of Greene County, MO., E.D. 61, Sheet 24, North Campbell Township, lists her husband as Warren Jones, Black, born 1 April 1838, age 60; wife Martha, born January 1837; nine children born, 4 living, married 28 years, occupation farmer. Birth date differs on the census for Martha from that recorded on her death certificate. 

A tombstone for Martha is missing.  She is probably buried close to her husband, Warren, but his tombstone is also missing. Some years ago, a foot stone with the initials W.J. was found in the northwest section of the cemetery near the base of a damaged headstone.

Note: Paralysis agitare (the cause of Martha’s death) had to do with her neurological system, causing her to suffer from advanced Parkinson’s Disease.

Prepared by: Jean Gaffga Rayl 2015