Hi all! I was wondering how I can prove that Benjamin Franklin Jones of the 12th Missouri Calvary is my GGG Grandfather.
Here is what I have;
Benjamin Franklin Jones, born 1826 in Cumberland Kentucky. Married Nancy Elizabeth Jones in Hempstead County Arkansas.
Was living in Sevier County Arkansas at the start of the war.
He died sometime between 1864 and 1865 (unknown where and why).
His Widow was still living in Sevier County in the 1870 Arkansas Census.
Here is why I think Benjamin Franklin Jones of the 12 MO. calvary was him;
My grandmother told me that her G Grandfather had died during the Civil war, but did not know anything else.
All 4 brothers served as Confederates in the civil war, 3 in Arkansas and 1 in Texas.
I have researched all Benjamin Jones in Arkansas and Texas, but have come up empty.
My Benjamin would have been to old for the initial conflict, and 2 of his younger brothers were dead due to the war by 1863.
I have a CMSR report of the Benjamin Franklin Jones of the 12 MO calvary, here is the data -
Benjamin enlisted April 1 1863 in Jackson Co. MO. )my Benjamin would have been 37 at this time, and the calvary would have suited him more than the infantry at this age.)
In April of 63, Marmaduke (who fought under General William Hardee) left Arkansas with 5,000 men and invaded Missouri.
2 of Benjamin's brothers served in Hardy's Arkansas Infantry Regiment. One died in 1863 and the other was released from service in 1864.
The dates on the Muster Roll lists Benjamin present until he was captured ( and disabled) on April 17 1864 in Missouri, which would coincide with the approximate date of my Benjamin Jones death date.
I received a Widows pension copy ( from a genealogy site which is hard to read) of a widow - Nancy E. Jones applying for Benjamin Franklin Jones. It list the MO Cavalry (all I could read.)
This widows pension was also signed by George W. Rinker. After studying George Rinker I found where in 1864, he was appointed (in Lawrence county) as the County Agent to Prepare papers in case of Claims for bounties due to widows, orphans and disabled soldiers. This George Rinker was active in politics for Lawrence County into the late 1870's.
I do not know what happened to Nancy Elizabeth Jones after 1870, so I'm not sure what state she was living in at the time of the pension process, but it could have been Arkansas, Oklahoma or Texas. I'm pretty sure she did not live in Missouri.

Can someone give me some advice on how to prove this is my GG Grandfather?
thanks very much
Anthony