Harriet Jones

Ms. Brightful was born in 1853 and may have been born free. She was the daughter of Mr. Frank and Mrs. Charlotte Brightwell/Brightful. They were likely related to Mr. Harper Brightful, the father of Mrs. Elizabeth (Brightful) Bruce and Mr. Luther Brightful. She grew up without going to school, likely working out at the various farms around Frederick County. Schools for African Americans were not established in Carroll County until the 1870s.

While we haven’t found Ms. Brightful in the 1870 census, records show that she married Mr. Hiram Jones in 1872. In 1880, the couple is living with three children in New Market in Frederick County. Over the course of their marriage, Mrs. Jones would have ten children. Only three survived until 1900, when she is living near Westminster with her husband and two of their children. The 1800s were a dangerous time for young children, and many families mourned the loss of their toddlers.

In 1910, the Census finds the couple on Union Street. Mrs. Jones is taking in laundry. By 1920, their married daughter is living with them. Her husband passed away in 1925. She continued to live with her daughter and her daughter’s family until the time of her death in the fall of 1930.

Mrs. Harriet Brightful Jones is buried in Ellsworth Cemetery, next to her husband, Mr. Hiram Jones.