Henry Clay Fones

Henry Clay Fones M V K Y Photo: Born: September 1844, Westmoreland County, Virginia.[1499] September 1845, Westmoreland City.[1500] Married: He first married Marinetta “Nettie” (Rice) in Fauquier County, Virginia. The same source also gives her name as Martinetta. Citing Fauquier County, Virginia, marriage records, it states that Henry C. Fones, age 22 years, wed Martinetta Rice on 19 October 1865; her parents were “William H. & Eliza. Rice.”[1501] She died after they moved to Belmont, Texas. He second married Nancy Blanche (Hodges) in February 1869 in Belmont.[1502] Died: June 1929, Houston, Texas.[1503] 3 June 1929 and buried at Section A3, Evergreen Cemetery, Houston, Harris County, Texas.[1504] Obituary: Children: By first marriage, had Emmett Fones. He was born before they moved to Belmont. By second marriage, had: Henry Elmer (Elmo) Fones; William Wallace “Willie” Fones; Robert Albert Fones; Joseph Aubrey Fones; Henry Clay Fones, Jr.; Alma Fones; Clara Myrtle Fones; Nora Ima Fones.[1505] Parents and Siblings: Elizabeth A. (Burgess) and Joseph S. Fones.[1506] Another source gives his mother’s name as Elizabeth A. Nash.[1507] He had a brother named Charles who accompanied Henry and his family to Belmont, Texas.[1508] [NOTE:maybe chk source for more re sibs, etc., not too much more.] Other Family: His maternal grandfather was “James ‘Burgess’ Chambers.” Yet, the same source gives his mother’s maiden name as Burgess. His paternal grandparents were Anne C. (White) and William T. Fones.[1509] “1880 Gonzales CO., TX. census list Henry C. FONES age 34 born in VA.. Texas 1900 census list Henry C. FONES, white, age 55 born SEP 1845 in VA. living in Gonzales County with with wife Blanch age 47 born AUG 1852 in TX., son Aubry age 22 born AUG 1878 in TX., son Clay age 18 born JUN 1881 in TX., daughter Mytle age 10 born NOV 1889 in TX., Daughter Alma age 13 born MAR 1887 in TX and daughter Ima age 7 born JAN 1893 in TX..”[1510] [NOTE:maybe work data this pph into headings.] Stories, Letters & Biographies: “Letter From Black Horse Member. Members of the Black Horse… will be interested…”[1511] See Biographies Chapter. CSR: 5’7”, dark complexion, brown hair, grey eyes; student; enlisted 15 March 1862 Bealeton; wounded 1862 Williamsburg; horse killed 11 October 1863 Raccoon Ford; Scout for Genl. Wickham January to April 1864; wounded calf of leg; Chimborazo Hospital 22 June 1864; furloughed for 60 days 9 July 1864; paroled 6 May 1865 Winchester. Confederate Pension Application: In autumn 1912, Henry C. Fones applied for a Confederate pension from the state of Texas. His application shows that he was born in Westmoreland County in September 1944. He enlisted 2 March 1862 in the Black Horse Troop, and served until 9 April 1865. He was detached as a scout for Gen. Wickham as of 30 April 1864. He was paroled in Winchester between 1 and 11 May 1865. He came to Texas in 1867 and moved to Harris County, Texas, in 1903. He was not employed on 24 September 1912 when he applied, at which time he wrote that his age was “67 years… last September.” He provided affidavits and depositions from three witnesses for his application, including James Vass [BH] and James Keith [BH], both then residing in Richmond, Virginia. By May 1913, his application had not been answered, and he requested his attorney to contact the state government to inquire as to the result of his application: “…last year, Mr. H. C. Fones, of this City [Houston], who is an old Confederate Soldier made application for a pension, and he tells me that as yet his application has not been acted upon. He is a very deserving man and his claim is a genuine one and he was in Jeb Stuart’s command of Cavalry during the war and the parties by whom he made his proofs are men of the highest standing in Virginia. “I wish you would act on this application one way or the other as soon as you can, and write Mr. Fones, or myself. If you write Mr. Fones he asks you to direct the letter in my care.” His application was approved that month, effective the following month. He died on 3 June 1929 of “Coronary Thrombosis complicated by Cerebral embolism and Broncho pneumonia” at Baptist Hospital and was buried in Section A3 of Evergreen Cemetery in Houston. A son, G. C. Fones, applied later that month for a mortuary warrant to defray his father’s burial costs.[1512] Additional Information: Wounded at Williamsburg, 1862. Removed to Texas.[1513] Listed as “Henry Foans”;[1514] this spelling is probably incorrect. “CSA service record, 4th Virginia Cavalry Company H, Pvt., Henry enlisted on March 15, 1862 at Bealeton, Fauquier Co. VA. His horse was killed at Raccoon Ford, VA. on OCT. 11, 1863. On OCT. 31, 1863, he was absent because Henry was a scout for General Wickham. On June 22, 1864 he was admitted to Chimborazo Hospital for a gunshot wound to the thigh. He Surrendered at Winchester, VA. and was paroled on MAY 06, 1865. Henry was described as 5’7.5” tall, dark complexion, brown hair and gray eyes. He was only 20 years old at the time of his parole.”[1515] [NOTE:chk preceding to CSR.]