William Jones (deputy governor)

William Jones (March 20, 1624 - October 17, 1706) was an English lawyer who emigrated to the United Colonies and became the twenty-fourth Deputy Governor of the Colony of Connecticut.

William Jones
24th Deputy Governor Connecticut
In office
1692–1698
Preceded byJames Bishop
Succeeded byRobert Treat
Personal details
BornMarch 20, 1624
London, Middlesex, England
DiedOctober 17, 1706
Spouse(s)Hannah Eaton Jones

Biography

Jones was born in London, Middlesex, England. He became a lawyer at Westminster and married Hannah Eaton, daughter of Governor Eaton, on July 4, 1659, in St. Andrew's Church, Holborn, by Reverend Joseph Rowe. [1] They arrived in Boston, Massachusetts, on July 27, 1660, in company with the regicides, judges Edward Whalley and William Goffe. They moved to New Haven in August of the same year; took possession of the mansion of Governor Theophilus Eaton, and continued to live there until their deaths.[2] Jones was made a freeman in 1661. One of the most interesting facts in his life was his connection with the two judges, Whalley and Goffe. During their hiding in New Haven, Jones' house was their place of refuge for eleven days. The honors seem to have been shared with Reverend John Davenport during this exciting episode in New Haven.[3]

Jones and his wife Hannah had thirteen children, four of whom died their first year; Theophilus, Samuel, Rebecca and Abigail; one of whom died at three years, Deodat. The eight who reached maturity were William, Nathaniel, Hannah, Elizabeth, Sarah, John, Isaac, and Susanna.

Career

For twenty-eight years, Jones was elected to the office of Assistant, or Magistrate, of the United Colonies. This office combined the duties of a Magistrate with those of a Senator, or member of the Superior House of the Legislature, except during 1685, when Governor Andrews of New York suspended the government of Connecticut.

Jones was elected Deputy-Governor of New Haven in 1664. On the union of this Colony with Connecticut, May 11, 1665, he was chosen one of the magistrates. In July 1691, following the death of James Bishop, Jones was elected Lieutenant Governor by the General Assembly. He was elected to the same office by the freemen in 1692, and was elected each year from 1692 until he retired on May 12, 1698.[4]

Chosen Lieutenant Governor of the Colony of Connecticut in 1689 and reelected each of the next five years, Jones was one of the trustees granted the patent of the city of New Haven by the General Assembly of Connecticut on October 20, 1704.[5]

Death

Jones died on October 17, 1706 in New Haven, Connecticut at the age of 82.[6] Jones and his wife Hannah were buried near her father, Governor Eaton of New Haven, Connecticut.[7]

References

  1. New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial: A Record of the ..., Volume 3. Lewis historical publishing Company. 1913. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  2. "Lt. Gov. William Jones". Ancestry.com. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  3. "William Jones". Geni.com. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
  4. Bigelow, James (1895). The Life of Samuel J. Tilden, Volume 1. Harper & Brothers. p. 345.
  5. History of Long Island: From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, Volume 3. Google ebook. 1903. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  6. The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record. New York Genealogical and Biographical Society. 1880. p. 49.
  7. Disraeli, Isaac (1847). Curiosities of Literature, and The Literary Character Illustrated ... With Curiosities of American Literature, by Rufus W. Griswold. Leavitt, Trow & Company. p. 54.
Political offices
Preceded by
James Bishop
24th Deputy Governor of the Colony of Connecticut
1692 - May 12, 1698
Succeeded by
Robert Treat
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