Stephen Jones, Revolutionary Soldier from Virginia, brought his family across the mountains to a place near what is now is called Verda. On his first trip he encountered Indians who had killed a buffalo. They had skinned the animal and were carving out the meat they wanted. Stephen hid until the Indians finished their talk and left, then he emerged and took some of the meat for himself. The Indians were so intent on their feast that they left without molesting the Jones family, although there is no doubt that the Indians were aware that the white people were there. He stayed in the area for two or three days, camping under a cliff at night and scouting the area by day. He went back to Virginia and told his sons what he had found. Later he and his sons moved their belongings across the mountains by wagons and established their home at the head of Jones Creek in Harlan County. While residing in Granville County, North Carolina, in 1779, he served three months as a Private in Capt. Richard Cook's Company, of Colonel William Moore's North Carolina Regiment. In 1780 he served about one month, names of Officer's not given. He moved to Surry County, North Carolina in 1781 and served three months in Capt. John Nall's Company, of Colonel Moore's regiment. He was allowed a Pension on his application which was executed on April 16, 1834, when he lived on Clover Fork of the Cumberland River in Harlan County, Kentucky. It is said at this time he had lived in Kentucky for about 40 years. According to stories handed down through generations of Kentuckians, Stephen Jones was the first white man to settle in the area of Verda, Kentucky. He is buried on a hill above Jones Creek behind the house of Joe & Polly Dean. He was approximately 90 years old when he died. No records show his wife's name but some old timers said he married an Indian. In 1940 the Government held a memorial service and erected a tombstone at the place believed to be his burial site.

My fifth great grandfather.

Father of Sally, Gabriel, Mary Anna, John Sr. Elijah, Zachariah Martin, Stephen, Lucy and Hiram.