By Griff L. Jenkins
(As given at the first Jones reunion held at Lava Hot Springs, May 31, 1953.)
This is the life of Jane Moses Jones, gathered from facts, figures, and families who survive her. She was born in Abervan, Glamorganshire, South Wales, July 6, 1836, the daughter of William and Mary Reese Moses. Her father died when she was nine years of age. Her mother later married William Francis, to whom two daughters were born, Katherine and Ann.
When Jane was sixteen, she left the family and was married to Thomas T. Jones. Thomas T. Jones was born in Llanegwed, Carmarenshire, South Wales, April 4, 1829 and died at Malad City, Idaho, November 8, 1882. Thomas T. Jones was an adopted child and little is known of his parentage.
To the marriage of Thomas T. Jones and Jane Jones were born the following children:
- William Henry Jones, the first born, died and was buried in Wales.
- Mary Jones was born at Mountain Ash, South Wales, December 4, 1858, and died in Malad City, Idaho, April 7, 1917.
- William Henry Jones was born August 31, 1861, at Mountain Ash, South Wales. You will note that he was given the identical name as the first born son who died in infancy.
- Richard R. Jones was born June 2, 1864, at Mountain Ash, South Wales and died May 8, 1945 at Malad City, Idaho.
- Sara Jane Jones was born January 20, 1867 at Troedyrhiw, South Wales and died in Malad City, Idaho, May 10, 1916.
- Elizabeth Jones (Betsy) was born in Mountain Ash, South Wales, April 10, 1869 and died in Malad City, Idaho, May 8, 1929. She never married.
- Tabitha Jones was born in Mountain Ash, South Wales and died two months after their arrival in Malad City, Idaho from Wales.
- Reese V. Jones was born August 10, 1879 at Malad City, Idaho and died in Malad City, Idaho, November 24, 1939.
Missionaries of the Latter Day Saints Church converted Thomas T. Jones to the Mormon
faith and he later became the President of the L.D.S. Church in South Wales. His splendid tenor voice aided him greatly in his missionary activities and resulted in many converts emigrating to America. His wife remained permanently loyal to her Baptist church.
At the suggestion of his intimate friend, John Reynolds, then of Malad City, Idaho, he was told of the opportunities of this valley and concluded to come to this country, leaving Liverpool on the ship Montana, June 17, 1878, for America.
An interesting incident occurred when they boarded the ship Montana. They were assigned to their berths and were provided with straw pillows by a Welshman known as CYMRO GWYLLT, meaning a wild Welshman. At mealtime they were seated at long tables at which the Danish emigrants were seated at one side and the Welsh were seated on the other side to make the conversation more interesting.
Upon landing in New York City, they proceeded at once on their journey to Ogden, Utah, where they arrived on July 3, 1878. They were met by their friend, John Reynolds, and Julia Reynolds Elcock (mother of Lynn Elcock now employed at J.N. Ireland and Co. Bank). The journey from Ogden to Malad was made by ox team. On this trip to Malad, they met many friends who they formerly knew in Wales.
Grandfather Jones bought seventeen acres of land south of town and then purchased a log cabin from one of our early pioneers, W. H. Jones, the father of Oscar Jones, who is here today. It was in this cabin that the first white girl was born, Laura McAllister, and was the home of Grandmother Jones covering a period of over fifty years until her death. The cabin is still standing on south Main Street.
The death of Grandfather Jones occurred on November 8, 1882. After the death of Grandfather Jones, Grandmother was left the entire responsibility of the support of the family but the oldest boy, William Henry Jones, now affectionately known as “Uncle Billie”, and my mother, Sara Jane Jones, contributed material assistance by their efforts from employment which they were able to obtain, and the frugal and careful management by Grandmother Jones, they were able to make a meager existence.
Grandmother Jones frequently referred to the beautiful brick home and surroundings furnished them by the coal mining company in Wales, owing to the fact that Grandfather Jones was superintendent of the mine with over five hundred miners under his direct supervision.
On the occasion of the departure of the family the following tribute was extended to Grandfather Jones by the management and the workmen of the coal mining company:
AN ADDRESS
PRESENTED TO THOMAS T. JONES, OVERMAN, No. 2 South Pit, Plymouth COLLIERIES, MERTHYR TYDVIL, COUNTY of GLAMORGANSHIRE, SOUTH WALES, by the Workmen, on his departure for Malad City, Idaho Territory, South West of North America.
DEAR FRIEND
Keenly feeling the loss we shall sustain by your departure from these Collieries and from your Native Land, we have taken this opportunity of showing our gratitude in the form of this ADDRESS which we trust you will kindly accept as a memorial of the high respect and affection which we hold as to your ability and efficiency as an Overman, the excellent manner in which you have always CONDUCTED all affairs in connection with the Workings of said Colliery and the cordial and affectionate disposition which you have always shown toward your fellowmen.
HAVING had connection with the above Collieries for nearly thirty years, the loss we shall sustain by your departure will be of such a character as cannot be easily replaced, but still we are proud of the thought that by leaving Old Gwalia, you are doing so to better your condition, we trust the trials you will have to go through will be few and easy, your energy and experience are great, we trust that your SUCCESS will be proportionate, we also hope that your presence in the Society of your new acquaintance will be lovered and esteemed to the same extent as it is amongst us.
The voyage you are on the verge of undertaking will be long and arduous, encompassed with pitfalls on both land and water, but be not disheartened, thousands have travelled that way before and thousands will still follow, many a heart shall pray for your SAFETY, we trust that through the guidance and care of the Almighty, you shall have a pleasant journey and that you will safely reach your destination. We also trust there are many years of happiness in store for you and your family. We may never see your face again, so now we shall conclude by saying Farewell. Signed on behalf of the Workmen this Thirteenth day of June, One Thousand eight hundred seventy-eight:
John Williams, Jenkin Griffith, Thomas Reed, Benjamin Hughes, Philip Hughes, Thomas J. Griffiths, William Jones, John S. Williams, Levi Davies, William R. Jones, John Jenkins, Alfred Williams