Wilson Daily Times, 10 April 1917.

Proclaimed centenarians were seldom actually as old as claimed. Census evidence suggests that Emily Jones really was perhaps 80-90 years old when she died.

Samuel Jones, who arrived in Wilson before 1889, was a long-time employee of tobacconist Ula H. Cozart Sr., co-founder of Centre Brick tobacco warehouse.

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On 30 August 1866, Duke Jones and Emily Pinnell registered their marriage with a Warren County, North Carolina, justice of the peace. They had cohabited since 1 January 1857.

In the 1870 census of Township 7, Warren County: Daniel Jones, 44, farmer; wife Emily, 33; and children Samuel, 13, Jane, 12, Blake, 7, Joseph, 6, and Edward, 2.

In the 1880 census of Shocco township, Warren County: Duke Jones, 55, farmer; wife Emely, 55; and children Benjamin, 18, John, 16, and Ellick, 14.

On 24 December 1889, Sam Jones, 28, was issued a license to marry Julia Ann Boykin, 19, in Wilson County. They did not return the license.

In the 1900 census of Warrenton, Warren County: Duke Jones, 70, farmer, and wife Emily, 60.

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: tobacco grader Samuel Jones, 45; wife Julia A., 29, tobacco grader; and children Nannie E., 7, William G., 3, Irena R., 5 months, and Maggie, 2. 

In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: odd jobs laborer Sam Jones, 45; wife Julia, 39; and children Nannie, 17, cook, Willie, 13, grocery store delivery boy, Irene, 10, Sam, 9, Isar, 5, Magilena, 3, and May A., 1.

Emily Jones died 20 February 1917 in Warrenton, Warren County, North Carolina. Per her death certificate, she was born about 1813 in Raleigh, N.C.; was widowed; and was buried in Snow Hill Cemetery, Warren County. Informant was J.J. Jones, 701-19th Street, Washington, D.C.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 645 Green Street, laborer Sam Jones, 65, widower; children Rosa L., 7, Isier, 16, laborer, Maggie, 13, and Mary A., 10; daughter Mamie Garner, 25, and her sons Albert, 7, and Dick, 5; daughter Irean Lee, 19, and son-in-law Milton Lee, 23, house carpenter. 

Sam Jones Sr. died 1 February 1926 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 72 years old; was born in Warren County, N.C., to Duke Jones and Emlie Jones; was a widower; lived at 407 Carroll Street; worked as a night watchman for Planters Warehouse; and was buried in Rountrees Cemetery [likely, Vick.] Samuel Jones Jr. was informant.