The Jones Family

The Canadian pioneers of this family were emigrants from the Mohawk Valley, in the Colony of New York, then a province of the British empire. From a manuscript in the Parliamentary Library at Ottawa, and sketches in print, it appears that the entire family were United Empire Loyalists of the most pronounced type. The settlers of this name who located at a very early date in the Mohawk Valley were from Wales. Upon a map of Brockville, published when the centre of the town was laid out in lots, the name is invariably spelled "Joans," indicating the origin, even at a comparatively recent period.

Several distinguished Loyalists of the name played an important part in the Revolutionary War. One Jones was hanged three times by the rebels, and as many times cut down before life became extinct, in the vain hope that information relative to the movements of the King's forces could be obtained from him. This man, who appears to have borne a charmed life, and who was hunted by the Continental authorities like a wild beast, after the close of the war, made his way to New Brunswick, and died at a ripe old age.

Ephraim Jones, a resident of the Mohawk Valley, during the Revolution made his escape to Montreal. Two of his brothers, at about the same time, succeeded in reaching Nova Scotia. In 1790, Ephraim Jones (better known as Commissary Jones, in consequence of his having charge of the supplies granted to the settlers by the British Government) arrived in Upper Canada. He received a grant of 3°° acres of land in the Township of Augusta, and built a house on the farm now owned by Thomas Murdock, situated a short distance east of Maitland. Returning to Montreal, he married Miss Coursoll, of which family the present Judge Coursoll is a descendant. The fruit of the union was a family of four sons and four daughters.

Charles, born in 1781, afterwards the Honorable Charles Jones, was a merchant and mill owner, and for many years one of the most prominent men in public life in the eastern portion of the province. Having been called to the Legislative Council, he held many offices of trust and emolument under several Administrations. He died in 1840.

William Jones became Collector of Customs in Brockville. He died in 1831.

Jonas Jones was one of the first members of the Bar of Upper Canada. He was an active politician, entered Parliament, subsequently becoming a Judge of the Superior Court, discharging his duties with distinguished ability.

Alpheus Jones became Collector of Customs and Post Master at Prescott. He died in 1846.

The daughters were Sophia, who married John Stuart, Sheriff of Leeds and Grenville.

Charlotte, who married the late Honorable Levius P. Sherwood, Judge of the Superior Court of Upper Canada.

Lucy, who married Doctor Hubbel, of Brockville.

Eliza, who married the late Chief Justice of Newfoundland, the Honorable Henry John Bolton. Chief Justice Bolton commenced practice in Upper Canada in 1816, and was appointed Solicitor General about eighteen months afterwards. In 1829, he became Attorney-General, and was elected to represent Niagara in Parliament. He subsequently was appointed Chief Justice of Newfoundland, but returned to Toronto in 1838, again representing Niagara and Norfolk in Parliament.

The Honorable Charles Jones, who was born in 1781, married in 1807, Mary, daughter of the late Dr. Stuart, of Kingston, first missionary for the English Church in Upper Canada, and sister of Sir James Stuart, of Quebec. Mr. Jones died in 1840, and his wife in 1811. The children of Charles Jones were,

Stuart, born in 1808, died in 1839, without issue; Okill, born in 1809. died in 1846, without issue; Ormon, born in 1811. Ormon married in 1834, Eliza, daughter of the late Edward Jessup, and sister of Dr. Jessup, Collector of Customs, Prescott. The children by this marriage were twelve-four sons and eight daughters. One of the sons, William H., is a Barrister, and, at the present time (1879) Mayor of Brockville. He has also been for many years a member of the Town Council.

The Honorable Charles Jones married for his second wife, Florilla Smith. The children by this marriage were: Frederick, Charles Edward, Anson, and Henreitta, who married John Martin. Charles' widow died at Brockville in 1876.

Frederick and Anson are residents of Toronto. Charles Edward arid Henreitta are deceased.

Ormon Jones was born in Brockville, and commenced the practice of law in 1834, retiring from the active duties of his profession in 1855. He held the office of Registrar for South Lanark from 1859 to 1864, and also engaged in the milling business from 1855 to 1859. He held the office of Surrogate Judge for ten years, and, in 1864, was appointed Registrar for the County of Leeds, an office which he still holds. His first wife died in 1862. He married for his second wife Catherine Mary, youngest daughter of the late Richard Checkley, barrister, formerly of Mallow, Ireland.

Henry and Sidney Jones were nephews of Commissary Jones; their father never came to Canada. The brothers came to Brockville and entered the employment of the Honorable Charles Jones. They subsequently became the leading merchants of the place, doing an extensive business and contributing in no small degree to the prosperity of the then Village of Brockville.

SIR DANIEL JONES.

Sir Daniel Jones was born in 1794, and died in Brockville, August 23rd, 1838. He was held in the highest esteem by his fellow citizens, and regarded by the Crown as an uncompromising supporter of British institutions upon this continent. In 1835, he visited England as the agent for the Brockville "Loan and Trust Company," at which time he received the Order of Knighthood from His Majesty William IV., at Windsor Castle, being the first native of the Province of Upper Canada who had the honor of receiving so distinguished a mark of royal favor.

References:

History of Leeds and Grenville, T. Leavitt

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