Jethro Jones Lost Gravesite

Western Mass Hilltown Hikers Group Hike Jethro Jones Lost Gravesite Sunday November 22nd at 11:00 am Parking: Blair Road, Blandford, MA 01008 near North Blandford cemetery. GPS 42.20280, -72.98060  We will park on one side of the road and meet at the corner of Jones Road and Blair Road. Hike Rating: Moderate 2 miles in and back, moderately hilly with ups and downs, rocks, roots and dirt.  Join our co-host The Blandford Historical Society for a hike honoring Revolutionary War veteran Jethro Jones. In April of 2021 we researched this lost cemetery and found its remains on a rise in Blandford on a once controversial road. The news of this reached direct descendant Jocelyn Jones, his fourth great grand daughter.  Jones lived here after the revolution until his death in 1828 at age 95.  He, his wife and other family members are believed to be buried at the same burial plot.  Jones never received a marker or flag because his burial location was unknown. This has now all changed…Jones is now memorialized and rightly so. This is a heartwarming story that Jones himself  over 250 years later would be proud of.  We will honor him and his family.  We will begin at the junction of Blair Road with Jones Road and hike up to the once lost small cemetery. We will learn about the life and work and service of Jethro Jones as we walk from the DAR historic marker for Jones alongside forest managed by Hull Forest Products up to the cemetery where Jones and his family are believed to be buried. We will learn about Jones’s history as one of the earliest documented African American toolmakers in colonial America, as well as his military service during the French and Indian Wars and Revolutionary War. Blandford Historical Society will share info on the early history of North Blandford, and Jones’s descendant Jocelyn Jones Arnold will share the story of finding her patriot ancestor.  This hike is free and open to all, donations to the Hilltown Hikers and the Blandford Historical Society are greatly appreciated. Please Register per vehicle on https://events.ticketleap.com/events/westernmasshilltownhikers  Maps and bottled water provided.  Well behaved dogs welcome. Event is volunteer lead. Suggested donation is $15.  More details are on www.hilltownhikers.com .  Please email westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions.  As always be prepared for rocks, mud and roots, bring trekking poles and a snack! Want to hike every weekend year round? Become a Hilltown Hiker Member! Get access to our private Messenger Group Text with hike and event announcements that are member exclusive events.  You can sign up securely with a credit card on our shopping page here  Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Tees, hoodies, hats, patches, water bottles and safety vests will be for sale by donation at the event.  See all our events, maps, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry...