Maj. Gen. Walter Jones
General Walter Jones was born at "Hayfield" in Lancaster Co., VA. He was admitted to the bar in Virginia before he was of age and achieved early distinction. President Jefferson appointed him Attorney General for the District of the Potomac in 1802 and for the District of Columbia in 1804. Moving to Washington, in 1808 he married Ann Lucinda Lee, "a lady distinguished for her piety, her beauty, and her social and domestic qualities." She was a daughter of Charles Lee, attorney general of the U.S. under Washington and Adams, by his first marriage with Ann, daughter of Richard Henry Lee, the patriot and statesmen.
From the beginning of his residence in Washington, General Jones practiced before the Supreme Court. He was engaged in many important cases before that tribunal as well as courts in Maryland and Virginia, including the Girard will case, the Gaines will case, McCulloch v. Maryland, and the Randolph will case. Daniel Webster opened his argument in the Girard case with an eulogy on General Jones, extolling his generosity and magnanimity; the simplicity, modesty, and beauty of his character, as well as his transcendant talents; closing "his paneayric" by stating that General Jones had had few equals and no superiors at the bar. Rufus Choate in his book Orations speaks of "the silver voice and infinite analytical ingenuity and resources of Jones."
General Jones was a wide reader and devoted to Latin classics and general literature. He wrote frequently in the editorial columns of the National Intelligencies. He had an intimate knowledge of the Bible as evidenced by a very able paper written in refutation of the doctrine of universal salvation.
In Captain Jones of London and Virginia it is stated of General Jones, "He was small of stature, and had brilliant and very impressive brown eyes. His voice was sonorous, and his articulation so distinct that he could be heard with ease in the largest courtroom."
The title of general was due to his appointment as major-general of militia in the District of Columbia, taking part with the militia in the Battle of Blandesburg during the War of 1812. He was a founder of the African Colonization Society, and the Washington National Society, and showed public spiritedness by his connection with other enterprises for the general good.
In his last illness, speaking of his death, he said, "It will be to me a new birth. Like the unfettered ox freed from his yoke, I shall feed in pastures fresh and green. I throw myself upon Providence as an infant does upon the breast of its mother." His pastor said, "His mind was singularly clear to the last, and a more remarkable mind was never encased in a frail mortal body. I was spell-bound by his magnificent eloquence, the vigor and scope of his logic, and the breadth and compass of his imagination, over which there were constantly playing the flashes of wit that nothing could resist." For more see Captain Roger Jones of London and Virginia, pages 106-110. He died in Washington 14 Oct 1861 at age 85, having had fourteen children.