James R. Jones (Virginia politician)

James Richard Jones
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the Mecklenburg County district
In office
December 2, 1885 – 1887
Preceded byAmos Andre Dodson
Succeeded byBritton Baskerville Jr.
Member of the Virginia Senate from the Charlotte and Mecklenburg Counties
In office
December 7, 1881 – December 4, 1883
Preceded byC.L. Davis
Succeeded byWilliam Townes
In office
November 1876 – December 4, 1877
Preceded byAlbert P. Lathrop
Succeeded byE. B. Goode
Personal details
Borncirca 1847
Mecklenburg County, Virginia
Diedafter 1902
Washington, D.C.
Political partyRepublican
Readjuster Party
Spouse(s)Mary E. Jones, Martha Jones
OccupationPostmaster, politician, policeman

James Richard Jones (commonly known as "Dick Jones") [1] was an African American who served in both houses of the Virginia General Assembly during the Reconstruction era, as well as the federal postmaster for Boydton (the Mecklenburg county seat). He was affiliated with the Readjuster Party and earlier with the Republican party. After losing his bid for re-election, Jones moved to Washington, D.C. where he served as a member of the U.S. Capitol Police.[2]

  1. ^ Probably because Jones used a nickname, one historian believes his first name was "Joseph" See Luther Porter Jackson, Negro Office-Holder in Virginia 1865-1895 (Norfolk; Guide Quality Press 1945) p.23 at hathitrust.org or reprinted by UMI books on demand
  2. ^ Tarter, Brent. "James Richard Jones (died after 1902)". Encyclopedia Virginia. Retrieved 27 August 2023.