Margaret A. Roll was born August 17, 1846 to Pierson and Catherine (Spencer) Roll. She married Joshua Jones in April 1863.

Jones had enrolled in the Union Army at Camp Butler, six miles northeast of Springfield, in August 1862. He was mustered into service in September 1862 as a private in Company C, 114th Regiment, Illinois Infanctry. Company C was composed of men from Sangamon County. Jones was granted a sick furlough of twenty days on November 8, 1862. While on leave, he deserted.

Pierson Roll sent a letter to his friend, President Lincoln, asking that his son-in-law be granted a discharge. The charge of desertion was removed by order of President Lincoln and Jones was honorably discharged as a private. The discharge was dated effective November 28, 1862, the date of expiration of his sick furlough.

Roll's letter is in the Illinois State Historical Library. It reads as follows:

"At Home January 21st 64"
"President Lincoln Sir I sent a letter to you some time since by the Honlb John T Stuart (a law partner of Lincoln and a member of congress) and he sent the same up to you and knowing full well that letters that are sent up in that way never come into your sight, now never having applied to you or any former President for a favor the one I now ask is this Johsua Jones, Enlisted in Captain Mallorys Company 114 Regiment and was taken sick soon after remained so all winter and after his bodily health got good the disease fell in to his eyes and some time about the first of Aprile he married my oldest Daughter by my present Wife, and I was advised by some of my friends in town to take this course to have him discharged from the army and having known you for a number of years and I have asked this boon of you knowing full well that you will grant my wish by sending his discharge direct to me, Enpropria Personis, Pierson Roll"

Lincoln wrote on the front of the envelope:

Let this man -- Joshua Jones -- be discharged. A. Lincoln Jan. 28, 1864

The envelope is addressed:

To President Lincoln
Washington City
D.C.

Roll and Lincoln met at Sangamo Town in 1831 and stayed in touch throughout the years.