William Edward Jones - Biography
Our Father, William Edward Jones, son of Jenkin
Jones and Ann Davis Jones was born February 18, 1824, at Pontsticill
Mill in Vaynor Parish, Breconshire, South Wales.
A record of the marriage of his parents, on the second day of June, 1821, is
found on Page 48 in the "Records of Vaynor, County of Brecnock,1841,
2."
Grandfather, Jenkins Jones, was a miller by trade and also ran an Inn near old Mill. On a sign swinging above the door
of the Inn, was a picture of two crossed keys. Because
of this sign Grandfather was called "Jenkins Jones Cross Keys," to
distinguish him from others of the same name in that vicinity; which was an old
Welsh custom. Father had four sisters: Margaret, Ann Keziah and
Catherine, also two brothers: John and Jenkin. There
may have been others but we have no record of them. Father was the second
child born into the family Margaret being the first and the others are listed
in the order of their birth.
Grandfather died February 7, 1863, at the age of' sixty-two
years. Prior to his death he was Sexton at the old Vaynor
Church Yard, where he and Grandmother and many or their relatives are
buried. Grandmother died March 3, 1866.
We know nothing of Father's childhood, excepting that he lived in Wales and
received a fairly good education. We have a few copies of his penmanship,
showing how beautifully he wrote and we know how he loved to read and study.
When he was seventeen years old (July 1, 1814) Father married Mary Jones, a
young seamstress. Mary Jones, or "Auntie," as
we shall call her in this story for that is the name by which we addressed her
as children. Indeed she was like a dear sister to our own Mother
and we loved her as much as any Aunt could be loved. Auntie was born July 1,
1819 in Vaynor Parish, Breconshire, South Wales. Her mother, too, was named Mary.
After their marriage, Father and Auntie made their home at Dowlais, Glamorganshire. Dowlais
was then famous for its large iron works and collieries where Father secured
work as an iron molder. One of his uncles held an important position there
and was the first man to use rollers in the mill. This uncle later came to
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania to see the iron mills there in
operation. Father's brother, John, also secured work there and became
Master fitter at the Iron Works.
The following, children were born to Auntie and Father while they were lived
at Dowlais; Ann named for, Father's beloved
mother was born------ [story does not continue]
Taken from William E. Jones' handwritten diary.
Born of Jenkin Jones and Ann Davis on 18 February
1824 at Pontstickill Vaynor
Parish, Breconshire South Wales,
Great
Britain.
When a young man I went to work at a lime stone quary. For John Walkins for about two years. Then
went to school at Mr. Wiliam Morris' School for about
three months. When about eleven years old I was sent to Dowlais Iron works to learn the moulders trade and worked for Mr. David Thomas and
his brother Henry until I was about 18 years old.
When about seventeen I got aquainted with a young
lady, Mary Jones, on about the 26th of July 1841. We were united in
wedlock in the Church of England in Merthy Tidvil. On the 27th January my wife gave birth to a
daughter we called Ann. She only lived thirty-six hours. She was
born in Dowlais Glamorganshire South Wales and was
buried at the Vaynor
Church yard.
A son Jenkin was born 21 April 1843 in Dowlais Glamorganshire. He was buried on the day he
would of been two years old. Mary Ann, another
daughter, was born 18 Feb 1845, in Dowlais
Glamorganshire.
I went to work at Sumerset Shire England as a moulder being all union men I only stayed about three weeks
and returmed home. Next I went to work for Rev
David John in Georgtown Merthyr
Tydvil. They owned a small foundry. I
stayed about one year there. I was offered a better wage to go back to Dowlais. Mathew John came and offered to advance my
wages if I would come back. Being a labor man my labor was needed.
A daughter by the name of Elizabeth
born in 1847 only lived a few hours and was laid to rest in the same grave as
the other 2 children.
I was baptized and became a member of the church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 29 May 1848 by William Evan Richard. On
June 1st I was confirmed a member by William S Phillips.On
10 Apr 1850 was ordained a Elder by John S Davis. In
1851, I was ordained President of the Georgetown Branch and held that position
until I emigrated to Zion.
January 1854, we began to make preparation for our trip West
such as getting boxes, cans and clothing for our journey, and to visit friends
and relations. Many we left in tears knowing we would never be able to see
again in this life and we never did . January 27th we
took a train at Merthy Tydvil
known as the LaffVale railway at eight. We
arrived at Cardiff changed trains and took the South Wales. We arrived at New Port
the same day and camped for the night. January 28th we left New Port in
the morning and arrived in Liverpool late at
night. We lodged at Thomas Jones at Hunter street. On
Sunday, the 29th we commence carrying our luggage on board the ship Golconds. On Monday 30th we finished packing our
luggage on board. On the 31st we slept on board ship.
Feb 1854, Saturday 4th at 11:00 a.m. the steam Packet Piloted
us 10 miles out to the ocean and turned us loose.
The winds were favorable. We up sails an away we went bidding friends
and relations goodbye. Some were crying and some were laughing. Soon
sea sickness began to make its appearance my family were all sick which
consisted of my wife, Mary and daughter Mary Ann. We were a jolly crowd.
Nearly all were sick. Numbering all told about 700
passengers. Nearly all were Mormons. Tuesday, 7th the winds
were very unfavorable. In evening we held a prayer meeting to pray to
the Lord for more favorable winds. Our prayers were answered. After
they got over their sea sickness we were organized into companies the
conference was called Golconda Emigration Company. President Curtis was elected
president. The Conference was divided into 7 branches with a president to
each branch. William D Jones was president of our branch. The branchs were also divided into districts. Morris Dudley,
David Morgan and William E Jones were chosen to take lead. On 14 Feb 1854
we came with in Three miles of land called the Western
Islands. Oranges
very plentyful the natives came in small boats to
trade. On the 16th it was stormy and very windy with some rain. The sea heaving beyond its bounds and throwing the waves over the
deck. The same day a young child died who was only 3 days
old. It was buried at sea. We held our prayer meetings regularly,
also our Sabbath meetings.
Monday 27th fish very plentifull. We
saw the flying fish some very large fish suppose to be ten to twelve foot
long. David Morgan from Cardiff and a sister were possessed by some evil
spirit. The Captain treated them very kindly. The Elders
administered to them. They annointed them
with oil and laid their hands on them a few times and they were all right
again.
April 1854, now in New
Orleans with a hot sun and rain showers. Next
we prepared for the Doctors to examine us. We passed our examinations all
right. It was April. The weather became very warm and the ship was traveling
very fast, about 5 miles an hour. Friday, 3rd every
thing moving right along. I stood watch on deck from 10 until
1:00. Land in sight Monday 6th warm weather and the wind
favorable. We held a festival on the poop deck had a fine time games songs
and lectures and dancing. Thursday 8th we got up very early. to see Jamaca and lamp
house. Saturday 11th Brother Wm Gilmance
and Ann Davis were united in the bands of matrimony, Elder Maitill
[Martell] performing the ceremony. Had a high time dancing and singing . April 18th we landed in New Orleans. We witnessed many
curiosities one thing in particular was to see the slaves as dark as a dungeon,
great big fellows half-naked chained to a wooden post fastened to the
ground.
The same day the steamer moved up the river a short distance. We slept
in the steamer that night.
He wrote; "Saturday 4th February 1854 out on the ocean. Arrived in Salt Lake City,
September 30, 1854." Made their home in
Parowan, Iron County, Utah.
