 Jones' mother was Ann Moseley, daughter of Mr. Edward Moseley, of Powhatan County.Jones was appointed a cadet at West Point United States Military Academy from Virginia July 1, 1837, and was graduated and was brevetted as a second lieutenant in the 2nd Artillery Regiment on September 28, 1841.His first duty was on the Maine frontier, at Houlton, pending the Disputed Territory controversy with Canada.