— Ch. 1 · Historical Roots And Inspiration —
Free State of Jones (film).
~5 min read · Ch. 1 of 7
The year 1863 marked a turning point in Jones County, Mississippi. Confederate soldiers seized crops and livestock from struggling neighbors who were already trying to feed their families. Newton Knight watched his nephew Daniel die during the Second Battle of Corinth. He carried Daniel's body home to Ellisville and reconnected with his wife Serena. This personal tragedy sparked a chain reaction that would lead to an armed revolt against the Confederacy. Victoria E. Bynum documented these events in her book The Free State of Jones. Sally Jenkins and John Stauffer also wrote about the history in The State of Jones. Director Gary Ross spent years reading historical texts to debunk myths surrounding the Civil War era. He wanted to examine the Reconstruction South without relying on films like Gone with the Wind or The Birth of a Nation.
The Free State Of Jones Narrative
Newton Knight deserts after learning of the Twenty Negro Law. He threatens Lieutenant Barbour at gunpoint when soldiers seize supplies from his community. Confederate militiamen order his arrest for treason. An attack dog bites him while he tries to escape into the swamps. Aunt Sally sends her servant George to take him to safety. Moses Washington and his followers nurse him back to health. Deserters flock into Jones County after the fall of Vicksburg. Newton organizes them into a Southern Unionist militia. They ambush military convoys to reclaim property. Colonel Hood orders farms torched as punishment. Serena flees with her son because Newton cannot protect them. Sharpshooters hidden under church coffins fire on Confederates during a funeral. Newton strangles Hood to death with his belt. The Unionists declare the establishment of the Free State of Jones. They swear allegiance to the United States Federal Government and defend their territory against reinforcements.