The following comes from:
RamblingRoots.com
Pioneer Families of Washington County, Virginia
Eliza Margaret "Pink" Dunn was born on 3 May 1834 in Washington County, Virginia.
Childhood
Eliza, who was known in the family as "Pink", grew up in Washington County, Virginia, in the old log house off Forest Hills Drive which had originally belonged to her grandmother Margaret Buchanan Edmondson.
Eliza was the second daughter in a family of 9 children who were born over a span of 21 years, ranging from 1830 to 1851.
Eliza was known to possess an intelligent mind and a sweet disposition.
Marriage
She married her distant cousin William E. Jones, son of Robert Jones and Catherine Moffett Edmiston, on 15 Jan 1852 Eliza was 17 and William was 27.
Anecdote
William was originally from Washington County.
He was serving as a lieutenant with the U.S. Mounted Rifles in the Oregon Territory but returned home on furlough for the wedding.
After their marriage the couple left for his new assignment in West Texas.
Anecdote
The couple boarded the steamship Independence in New Orleans on March, 20, 1852.
Its destination was Indianola, Texas.
Anecdote
Five days later the Independence attempted to enter Cavallo Pass, a narrow opening at the entrance to Matagorda Bay.
The ship struck a sandbar and became stranded.
As the ship began to take on water requests for outside help were made.
The ship only had 4 lifeboats and an early attempt to launch one resulted in its complete loss.
A second lifeboat was lowered containing Eliza and 4 other women, as well as 1 male passenger and 3 crewmen.
The boat capsized almost immediately in the rough waters.
Another lifeboat attempted a rescue but was unsuccessful.
Eventually 3 of the men were rescued, but all of the women drowned.
Eliza was wearing her wedding gown which was no doubt of a heavy fabric; this may have contributed to the tragedy.
Death
Eliza died on 26 Mar 1852 in Texas at age 17.
Anecdote
William wrote his mother-in-law, Jane B.R. Dunn about Eliza's death. Carolyn Ryburn, Eliza's great great niece reports that the beautiful letter reflects a great sadness, almost hopelessness, at Eliza's loss.
Anecdote
William also wrote Florence Dunn, Eliza's older sister.
He enclosed a map showing the exact location of the shipwreck, as well as the place where Eliza's body washed ashore.
She was buried one half mile from the village of Calhoun, Texas.
William added a note that although the map showed the name of the village as Calhoun, it had changed to Paluria.
In a later letter to Eliza's family he indicated her body would be shipped home sometime in 1855.9,10
William continued on to his new post but became disillusioned with military life and resigned from the army in 1857, returning to Virginia to live.
When the Civil War broke out he organized the Washington County Mounted Rifles.
He eventually became a Brigadier General although his disposition earned him the nickname "Grumble Jones". William never remarried.
Burial
Eliza's remains were re-interred at Old Glade Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia, in 1855 (see photo below; citation for this entry includes inscription wording).
William was killed in 1864 at the Battle of Piedmont.
He is buried at her side.
