By D. Harold Jones 

My great grandfather, Zephaniah Jones, was born 21 September 1824 at Trevethin, Monmouthshire, England, son of John and Jemima Davis Jones.  

He married his second wife, my great grandmother, Caroline Thomas, on 13 February 1859, at Mynyddyslwyn Parish, Monmouthshire, England. Caroline was born 11 April 1832 at Llanthony, Monmouthshire, England. 

Both Zephaniah and Caroline joined the Mormon church. His membership is found in the LDS Trinant Branch, Monmouth, her membership in the Pontypool Herefordshire Conference. 

Caroline was a busy housewife, with a large family of step children, and new babies coming to their home. The first wife, Amelia or Amy Morris had died, leaving six children. 

The main occupation in Wales at this period of time was coal mining, which was a hard way to make a living; such long hours in dark damp mine shafts. At a tender age, children went with their fathers to work in the mines. Very little sunshine they saw. 

Many Welsh people had joined the Mormons and emigrated. This Jones family had the urge to also come to the United States and on to Utah. Preparations were started to finance the voyage, saving as much of their meager earnings as possible. Two of the older girls came first. Jane, the daughter of Zephaniah and Catherine, and also the daughter of Caroline, both sailed  

6 May 1862 on the ship Manchester for New York. A year later, Zephaniah, his wife Caroline, Amelia age 7, Joseph age 4 of the first family; Mary age 3, Ephraim age 2 of the second family, sailed 4 June 1863, on the ship Amazon, arriving in New York 18 July 1863.  

The Jones family made their home in Willard, Utah, where so many Welsh people settled. Other children were born. Caroline had lost two infant sons, John and Henry. Then Roda Louise was born 4 July 1867. Eli was born 5 December 1869. Eli was thirteen days old when his mother died on 18 December 1869. She was the first person buried in the new Willard cemetery. Eli died 2 July 1870, at seven months old. 

This was another huge trial for Zephaniah, two wives buried with such young children left without the loving care of a mother. It took courage and great faith to go on. But, time passed, the children grew up and made their way in this life. 

Caroline was a good wife and mother. She had such love and compassion for her fellowman. She was gifted with a beautiful singing voice and sang in the Willard Ward choir. She was a beautiful artistic lady. 

One daughter made her home in Arizona, the other three moved to St. John, Idaho. 

Catherine married Willaim Henry Kay. They had ten children and lived in Cache Valley for a time, then moved to Taylor, Arizona. Catherine died 25 November 1929 at Mesa, Arizona and was buried there. 

(Pictures of Zephaniah and Caroline) 

Mary Blanch (called Polly) was born 9 September 1859, at Trinant, Monmouthshire, England. She married Samuel Davis in the Endowment House, in Salt Lake City, Utah. One son was born in Willard before they moved to St. John, Idaho, to make their permanent home. Five other children came to their home. Polly died 28 March 1884, and was buried at the St. John Cemetery. 

Rhoda Louise born 4 July 1867 at Willard, married Thomas Stephens Thomas, parents of seven children. Rhoda died 28 June 1932 at St. John and was laid to rest there. 

Zephaniah married the third time. 

Written by D. Harold Jones