Zephaniah and Caroline Thomas Jones

By D. Harold Jones

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

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

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 stepchildren, 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's, and Catherine, the daughter of Caroline's, sailed May 6, 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, and Mary, age 3, and Ephraim, age 2, of the second family, sailed June 4, 1863, on the ship Amazon, arriving in New York, July 18, 1863.

The Jones 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 Rhoda Louise was born July 4, 1867, Eli was born December 5, 1869. When Eli was fifteen days old, on December 18, 1869, the mother died. She was the first person buried in the new Willard Cemetery. Eli died July 2, 1870, at seven months old.

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

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

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

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

Mary Blanch (called Polly) was born September 9, 1859, at Trinant, Monmouthshire, [Wales]. Married Samuel Davis in the Endowment House, 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 March 28, 1884, and was buried in the St. John Cemetery.

Ephraim Edward was born July 10, 1861, at Trinant, married Amelia Davis at St. John and here made their home. Nine children were born to this union. Ephraim died June 10, 1930, and was also buried in the St. John Cemetery.

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

Zephaniah married Phoebe Davis, as third wife, April 20, 1874.

(From St. John, Oneida County, Idaho: A collection of personal histories from the time of the first settlers to the present day, pp. 175-76.)