Jones of Old Lincoln

The journey would take Fayette into the 9th Cavalry as a Buffalo soldier and farrier on the frontier and the Indian wars and Elizabeth into teaching. The Farans had placed the children with a free black family east of the city near Batavia. Mrs. Faran had later sponsored Elizabeth and she had graduated from Wilberforce College near Dayton, Ohio. First she taught at Batavia, where she and Fayette had attended school as children. Later she moved on to teach at Wilberforce College in a Freeman community east of Dayton.

Faye and Eliza did indeed use the surname of Jones.

Much was alluded to that I could only try to connect with what was in my cache of history on Mr. Jones and his times.

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The most revealing letter: November 10, 1880 Cincinnati, O.

My Dear Mr. Jones, Kind Sir, thank you for your communication of Oct. 10. I trust you are well. I'm blessed with good health. I hope our autumn here is not prelude to a bitter winter. We have had snow for a week with eight inches on the ground and harsh winds. I can't remember this cold a time in Fayetteville. I apologize for this overdue response. My teaching responsibilities: classes, tutorial efforts, and resident hall obligations, have filled my time, and personal matters have been neglected. Again, dear sir, I offer my regrets. The students still prove to be delightful, yet efforts at affording them an education is very challenging and taxing. Brother Fayette writes from Ft. Craig, New Mexico Territory that he is of good health. Working hard, he relates that he is not sure how many mules and horses he sees, shoes, and doctors in a week. It would seem that his days are full withal. He is now responsible for the farrier section of his company and was promoted to sergeant in the spring. He writes that he is taken with a young woman who works in the fort laundry and they were to be married November 3. She is a "mixed breed" he says. His humor is a bit crude but his observation would seem valid. She is of white and Pima heritage. Fay writes that her people are a significant tribe in the region. Her Mother and people have a home (camp?) near the fort. He is teaching her to read and write. Marriage is strongly discouraged in the 9th Cavalry, so they will have to keep their marriage secret. He found a colored preacher who assured Fayette that he would perform the wedding. I suppose that is a fact by now. I keep you in my prayers and am as always greatly appreciative of your patronage. It is remarkable that twenty-one years have come and gone since that fateful journey... Again my heart felt appreciation for your many kindnesses to our mother and generous sponsorship of Fayette and me. Your regard for her and us blessed us with hope. For that I shall be eternally grateful. Sir, you are daily in my prayers. With Warmest Regards and Abiding Affection, Elizabeth Cyrus Jones