He was a central figure in the distinguished Jones military family with relatives holding commissions in the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican War, Civil War, World War I, and World War II. His brother Thomas ap Catesby Jones won distinction in the US Navy. Of his thirteen children many went on to serve in the military in both Union and Confederate forces. His son Catesby ap Roger Jones was the commander of the ironclad CSS Virginia at Hampton Roads on the second day of battle with the USS Monitor. His son Charles Lucian Jones served in the Confederate navy on the ironclad Tennessee. His son, also named Roger Jones, served as Inspector General of the U.S. Army from 1888 to 1889.

Jones was appointed a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps on January 29, 1809 and was promoted to first lieutenant later that year. He resigned in July 1812 to accept a commission as a captain of artillery in the United States Army. He received brevets to major and lieutenant colonel for his services in the War of 1812. He was appointed adjutant general with the rank of colonel in August 1818, and in March 1825 became Adjutant General of the U.S. Army. He received brevets to colonel in 1824, to brigadier general in 1832, and to major general in 1848. He died in 1852 and is buried in the Congressional Cemetery.

• Jones, Lewis Hampton (1891). Captain Roger Jones, of London and Virginia: Some of his Antecedents and Descendants. New York City: Joel Munsell's Sons. pp. 72–73.

• Roger Jones at Find a Grave