The position of County Surveyor was an important one.
As people moved in and registered their lands, it was vital that the surveyor provided documents that made it clear exactly where the land was. The first surveyor of Newton County was Thomas Jones, who served from 1844-1846 and again from 1858 until 1864.
There were at least three men named Thomas Jones who lived in Newton County in that period, so it is unclear which Thomas Jones was the surveyor. All were listed as being farmers in the census record.
It is likely, however, that he was the same Thomas Jones who served as County Clerk from 1846 until 1848. In 1860, this Thomas Jones was living in Prairie Township, gave his occupation as "clerk", and had $1,000 in real estate.
The second County Surveyor was Erby Self. He was born in 1812 in Tennessee, and was farming in White Township during the time he was surveyor (1846-1848). He died in 1858 and was buried in Shiloh Cemetery.
Barbara LeRoy is the author of “Which Side Were They On?,” a 302 page book listing biographical sketches of the Newton Countians who were involved in the Civil War, available for sale either in the Bradley House Museum or by purchasing online at www.newtoncountyar.com. The book sells for $33.