John Lorenza Jett

He married Alice Columbia Jones on February 2nd, 1858. They had twelve children.

The 1860 census shows the family in King George near the Edge Hill post office. John is a farmer but does not appear to own land. He may have been a sharecropper. His personal property is valued at $225. The couple has two children already. Additionally they have living with them a 15 year old girl named Ann Dodd listed as a domestic servant.

John severed in the Confederate Cavalry during the Civil War. He was first part of the 25th VA Militia in King George County. He enlisted in Company I of the 9th VA Cavalry on February 21st, 1862, frequently on his muster roll entries John was noted as being eligible for extra pay for serving as a wagoner or teamster. John's unit was part of Lee's invasion of Maryland in the fall of 1862. He missed being a part of the battle of Antietam when he was captured at Poolesville, MD on September the 9th. John was held for two months before being sent to Aikens Landing on the James River, near what is know called Varina, as part of a prisoner exchange. John returned to his unit shortly and served through the remainder of the war.

On his prisoner of war paper work John was described as being 5'8" with auburn hair and gray eyes. His complexion was described as florid (red or flushed).

On the 1870 census places the family in Chotank township, still in King George and still near the Edge Hill post office. John again appears to be a sharecropper with no real estate owned. His personal property is valued at $300. Seven children are listed including a two month old yet to be named. In 1873 John and Alice purchased 90 acres from her father for $300. The tract of land was known as Piney Grove.

John sold Piney Grove in 1878 for $400 and began renting a larger farm. In 1880 John and family show up in the Shiloh magisterial district of King George. He is still listed as a farmer and has 10 children living at home.

King George county records show that John held a public auction of his personal property in 1886 and the family moved to Northumberland sometime after. The minutes of Morattico Baptist Church from September 1897 show that John and his wife joined the church by letter, transferring their membership from Hanover Church.

The 1900 census shows John and Alice ages 68 and 62 in Wicomico township of Northumberland County staying with their daughter Myrtle and her husband. According to the census they have been married for 42 years and Alice gave birth to 13 children with 11 still living. No occupation was givin for John, Alice works as a dressmaker.