Kingston, Mississippi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kingston, Mississippi
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 Kingston, Mississippi
Location in Mississippi
Kingston, Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Mississippi |
| County | Adams |
| Elevation | 180 ft (50 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 672177 |
Kingston (also called Jersey Town) is a small, quiet community in Adams County, Mississippi, United States. It is an "unincorporated community," which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Kingston was founded in 1784, making it one of the very first settlements in Adams County.
Contents
History of Kingston
Early Settlers and the Jersey Community
The Kingston area was first settled in 1772 by two brothers, Richard and Samuel Swayze. They came from New Jersey and bought a large piece of land, about 1,900 acres. Many other families from New Jersey soon followed them. These new residents were known as the "Jersey Settlers." Famous actors William Holden and Patrick Swayze are descendants of these early settlers.
First Churches in Kingston
In 1773, Samuel Swayze, who was a pastor, started the first Protestant church in what was then called British West Florida. This church was important because it was the first of its kind in the area. However, it only lasted until Samuel Swayze passed away in 1784.
Later, in 1799, Tobias Gibson started a Methodist church in Kingston. Gibson was also the person who founded Port Gibson, Mississippi. He even sold his watch to buy the land for the church building! The Kingston Methodist Church was built from logs around 1802. Its official document was the first given to a Protestant church in the Mississippi Territory. In 1822, Caleb King's son-in-law, Daniel Farrar, gave land for a new brick church building.
Growth and Challenges
Kingston grew quite a bit between 1800 and 1824. It had three stores and many other shops. About 150 people lived there. But in 1840, a powerful tornado hit Kingston and destroyed most of the community. By the early 1900s, only a doctor's office, the church, and one house were left.
Kingston Today
Historic Sites
The historic Kingston Methodist Church and its cemetery are still standing south of the community. They are very important historical sites. In 1982, they were officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are recognized for their historical value and are protected.
Community Services
Today, a station for the Kingston Volunteer Fire Department is located west of the community. This fire department helps keep the residents safe.
Notable Person
- Albert Sojourner: He was a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1916 to 1924. This means he was a politician who helped make laws for the state of Mississippi.
