Richard Jones (abt. 1679 - 1771)

Born about 1679 in Llangelynin, Caernarvonshire, Wales

Ancestors

Husband of Jane (Evans) Jones — married 6 Jun 1705 in Gwynnedd MM, Chester, Pennsylvania

Husband of Rebecca (Vernon) Jones — married 20 Nov 1718 in Chichester, Chester, Pennsylvania

Descendants

Died 16 Sep 1771 at about age 92 in Goshen Township, Chester, Pennsylvania [uncertain]

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Richard was a Friend (Quaker)

Biography

Richard Jones, b. about 1679. He came over with his parents, and according to the records, filed with the Merion Preparative Meeting, of which he was a member an account of their ancestry, and life in the Old Country, on 2, 12mo. 1704-5.^[1]

He inherited from his father the home-farm of about 100 acres, which he increased to 156 1/4 acres, and with some land he owned in Goshen, he had 293 3/4 acres altogether, in 1703. By deed of 8 Nov. 1720, he bought of John Roberts (the nephew of Thomas Lloyd, of Llangower, one of the original purchasers through Thomas & Jones), 39 1/2 acres, adjoining his Merion land.^[1]

By deed, dated 26 June, 1729, Richard Jones conveyed all of his Merion land, then 156 1/4 acres, to Hugh Evans, and removed to his land in Goshen twp, which he had increased by purchase. He and his brother, Evan Jones, bought there a tract of 153 1/ 4 acres, which on resurvey, was 178 acres. He d. aged 92 years, in Goshen tp. on 16. 7mo. 1771, having been twice married. He had three children by each wife.^[2] He m. first, 6. 4mo. 1705, Jane Evans, who d. 27. 2mo. 1711, and was buried at the Merion Meeting House, and m. secondly, in 1718, Rebecca Vernon, widow of Thomas Garret. She d. 23. 12mo. 1748.^[1][3][4]

Marriages

First Marriage

The marriage certificate contents: Richard Jones of Merion, yeoman, and Jane Evans of Gwynnedd on the Welch Tract, at Gwynnedd Meeting Place, 4 mo., 6, 1705. Wit: Evan, John Gainor and Sarah Jones; Thomas, Anne, Lowry, Robert, Hugh, Evan and Lowry Evan, etc. (Haverford MM records). The list of witnesses named Evans suggest she is an unattributed daughter of Thomas Evans and Anne of Gwynedd (and later Goshen) as the other Evans names are the names of Thomas' children.

Second Marriage

On Nov. 20, 1718 in Chichester, Chester, Pennsylvania, Richard Jones married secondly Rebecca Vernon who had previously married Thomas Garrett. She died 23. 12 mo. 1748. Rebecca Vernon was the daughter of Robert Vernon and Ellinor Minshall.

Children

Children of Richard Jones and Jane Evans:

1. Ann Jones born January 11, 1707 and married September 12, 1729, Thomas Goodwin who born about 1694 and died April 1775. "Thomas Goodwin, was a native of Wales, and resided in Llandewy, Merionethshire, from which place he emigrated to the United States during the early settlement of Pennsylvania, and settled at Edgemont, in what is now Delaware county, Pennsylvania, on property since occupied by Everard Passmore, becoming the founder of the Goodwin family of this section. He was originally a minister of the church of England, but became a Friend and was unfrocked about the time of his settlement here. His son, Thomas Goodwin, married Ann Jones, also of Welsh descent, and a daughter of Richard Jones, of Goshen township..."^[5][6]
2. Rees Jones married Amy Cock, daughter of Henry and Mary Cock, of Long Island.^[6][7][8]
3. Hannah Jones born 11-8-1709/10 [January 8, 1709].^[6]

Children of Richard Jones and Rebecca Vernon:

1. Rebecca Jones was born on 7-21-1719 [September 21, 1719] and married William Rettew.^[6]
2. Deborah Jones was born on 7-13-1721 [September 13, 1721] and married John Cheyney.^[6]
3. Nehemiah Jones was born on 7-21-1723 [September 21, 1723], married and had children named Robert and Rebecca Jones.^[6]

Estate

Will Astract of Richard Jones

Richard Jones, of Thornburry signed his will on February 8, 1769 and his will proved August 28, 1771 in Chester County courthouse in Chester, Pennsylvania. To son Rees Jones all wearing apparel. To daughter Deborah wife of John Cheyney furniture. To daughter Rebecca wife of Wm. Rettew ditto. Divides remainder among children Rees Jones, Ann Goodwin, Rebecca Rettew, Deborah Cheyney and children of deceased son Nehemiah, viz., Robert and Rebecca Jones. Executor: Son in law John Cheyney. Wit: Thos. Cheyney, Thos. Mercer, Thos. Howell.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Browning, Charles H. Welsh Settlement of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: W.J. Campbell, 1912. Print. Page 134.
2. ↑ Total of his children was 6 children.
3. ↑ Jane, wife of Richard Jones, died on April 27, 1711 and was buried at Merion Friends Meeting in Merion Station, Pennsylvania.
4. ↑ The date of their marriage was according to Quaker Calender. See also: Swarthmore College. “The Quaker Calendar.” Swarthmore College: Friends Historical Library, Swarthmore College, 2018, <https://www.swarthmore.edu/friends-historical-library/quaker-calendar>.
5. ↑ Biographical Sketch of Samuel Rhoads DOWNING (1893); Chester County, PA, Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by John Morris.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5} Glenn, Thomas A. Merion in the Welsh Tract: With Sketches of the Townships of Haverford and Radnor : Historical and Genealogical Collection Concerning the Welsh Barony in the Province of Pennsylvania, Settled by the Cymric Quakers in 1682. Norristown [Pa.: Printed for the subscribers by Herald Press, 1896, p. 81.
7. ↑ There are some notes on this line HERE. We suspect Rees' son Evan married Jane Williams, daughter of Ellis & Lydia (Haines) Williams. We suspect that the Norris who appears later in the Gwynedd minutes is a son of Evan & Jane. This line is of Goshen Meeting, so beyond the scope of this description of Jones of Gwynedd.
8. ↑ Futhey, J S, and Gilbert Cope. History of Chester County, Pennsylvania: With Genealogical and Biographical Sketches. Philadelphia: Louis H. Everts, 1881, p. 617.