'The Free State of Jones' wasn't as popular with the people of Jones County, as the Free State of Winston was with its people. I believe it was boastful fiction by Newt Knight when he said after the war that he led the movement that declared its independance. Most of the traitors were in other counties like Greene, causing problems for the local Confederate governments. Hundreds of Jones County men volunteered to join the Confederate forces early on. From one of the smallest, if not the smallest populated counties in the state.
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David Upton