Jones, T. Harri (1921-1965)
The poet Thomas Henry Jones was born at Cwm Crogau near Llanafan Fawr, Breconshire. His father was a foreman roadman and the family had been in the area for generations. Unlike his father and grandfather young Harri spoke English as his first language. The family moved down to Trefelin on the valley road when he was ten. Even though this was less remote than Cwm Crogau he still had to lodge in Builth when he attended the County School. Already writing poetry he won the County Exhibition and went to Aberystwyth in 1939. His studies were interrupted by war service in the Navy but he used this period to develop his writing. After gaining an MA he taught at Portsmouth Naval Dockyard where he stayed until 1959. Throughout this period he was a regular contributor to many magazines as poet, short story writer and reviewer.
In 1959, having failed to secure an academic post in Britain, he emigrated to Australia and taught at the University of New South Wales until his death. His earlier collections showed promise and he began to write poetry which achieved a wider acclaim. However he began to suffer from depression and his poems began to reflect a sense of alienation and exile. He was found dead in a rock pool at the foot of cliffs near his home in January 1965.
[The Collected poems of T.Harri Jones - introduction by Don Dale-Jones and Julian Croft; CAO B/X/10/58-59]
In 1959, having failed to secure an academic post in Britain, he emigrated to Australia and taught at the University of New South Wales until his death. His earlier collections showed promise and he began to write poetry which achieved a wider acclaim. However he began to suffer from depression and his poems began to reflect a sense of alienation and exile. He was found dead in a rock pool at the foot of cliffs near his home in January 1965.
[The Collected poems of T.Harri Jones - introduction by Don Dale-Jones and Julian Croft; CAO B/X/10/58-59]
Jones, Theophilus (1759-1812)
Son of Rev. Hugh Jones, curate of Llanfaes, Brecon. In 1763 his father became vicar of Llangamarch and in 1768 vicar of Llywel. The family probably lived at Lion Street, Brecon during this period however, relying on curates to cover many of the duties in these outlying parishes. In 1767 young Theophilus inherited the small estate of Llwyn Einion near Llangamarch from his grandfather Theophilus Evans, formerly vicar of that parish and a keen antiquarian. Evans was the author of the popular Welsh history Drych y Prif Oesoedd and had been an influence on the boy during his childhood when he spent much time at Llwyn Einion.
Jones attended Christ's College, Brecon where his father was a prebendary, along with the sons of many of the Breconshire gentry. He was then articled to a Penoyre Watkins, a Brecon solicitor with a large practice, qualifying around 1781. Probably soon after he married Miss Mary Price of the Price family of Porth-y-Rhyd near Llandovery in Carmarthenshire. They settled in Mount Street, Brecon in a house which later became the George Hotel. He entered a partnership with Mr Samuel Church and became Deputy Registrar of the Archdeaconry of Brecon. He was a freemason and the first Master of the newly formed Cambrian Lodge which met at the Swan Inn in Ship Street. Encouraged by his father he began researching for his history of Breconshire around the turn of the century. After his father's death in 1799 he was more financially secure and moved into the family home in Lion Street. Between then and the publication of the complete History of Brecknockshire in 1809 he travelled widely in the course of his researches, disposing of his part of the legal practice to his partner. His contacts with the county's landowning families enabled him to prepare the pedigrees though he did meet suspicion when making some enquiries. He was supported financially in the endeavour by the Duke of Beaufort and Sir Charles Morgan of Tredegar Park. Despite the modest reception to the first volume and persistent bouts of gout, he continued his researches, including in the second volume entries for every parish in the county. A devout Anglican his History does display his own prejudices in the little attention paid to leading dissenters from the county but it nevertheless represents a huge contribution to the study of the history of Brecknock. A Welsh-speaker he also translated Ellis Wynne's Bardd Cwsc and at one time was the owner of the "Book of Aneurin". At his death in 1812, his extensive library was sold off in a three day auction.
[B 1959; Thomas; DWB]
Jones attended Christ's College, Brecon where his father was a prebendary, along with the sons of many of the Breconshire gentry. He was then articled to a Penoyre Watkins, a Brecon solicitor with a large practice, qualifying around 1781. Probably soon after he married Miss Mary Price of the Price family of Porth-y-Rhyd near Llandovery in Carmarthenshire. They settled in Mount Street, Brecon in a house which later became the George Hotel. He entered a partnership with Mr Samuel Church and became Deputy Registrar of the Archdeaconry of Brecon. He was a freemason and the first Master of the newly formed Cambrian Lodge which met at the Swan Inn in Ship Street. Encouraged by his father he began researching for his history of Breconshire around the turn of the century. After his father's death in 1799 he was more financially secure and moved into the family home in Lion Street. Between then and the publication of the complete History of Brecknockshire in 1809 he travelled widely in the course of his researches, disposing of his part of the legal practice to his partner. His contacts with the county's landowning families enabled him to prepare the pedigrees though he did meet suspicion when making some enquiries. He was supported financially in the endeavour by the Duke of Beaufort and Sir Charles Morgan of Tredegar Park. Despite the modest reception to the first volume and persistent bouts of gout, he continued his researches, including in the second volume entries for every parish in the county. A devout Anglican his History does display his own prejudices in the little attention paid to leading dissenters from the county but it nevertheless represents a huge contribution to the study of the history of Brecknock. A Welsh-speaker he also translated Ellis Wynne's Bardd Cwsc and at one time was the owner of the "Book of Aneurin". At his death in 1812, his extensive library was sold off in a three day auction.
[B 1959; Thomas; DWB]
Jones, Thomas (1743-1803)
Second son of Thomas Jones of Trefonnen and Pencerrig, Radnorshire. He became one of the greatest British lansdcape painters of the 18th century. The family were leading dissenters in Radnorshire having built Caebach Chapel outside Llandrindod. As the area was becoming famed for its waters they released Trefonnen for use as a hotel and moved to Pencerrig. Jones was taught locally before moving on to Christ’s College, Brecon. Two years at Oxford confirmed his interest in art and his father supported his aspirations supporting his studies and helping him secure an apprenticeship with artist Richard Wilson. Jones left Wilson's care in 1765 and was elected a fellow of the Society of Artists in the following year. His landscapes won him commissions and prizes and he became a fashionable London society artist.
From 1776 to 1782 he visited Italy, where he met his future wife, a German woman (d.1789). His time in Italy helped him mature as an artist but isolated him from the public eye in fashionable London. He had difficulty re-establishing himself as an artist on his return.
From 1776 to 1782 he visited Italy, where he met his future wife, a German woman (d.1789). His time in Italy helped him mature as an artist but isolated him from the public eye in fashionable London. He had difficulty re-establishing himself as an artist on his return.
He inherited the family estate at Pencerrig on his brother’s death in 1787 and returned to manage it in 1789 settling into the role of country gentleman and painting in his spare time. He was active in the official life of the county serving his term as sheriff. He died in 1803 and was buried in the family vault at Caebach Chapel.
To visit the National Library of Wales online exhibition on Thomas Jones click here.
(Right: The pool at Pencerrig from an engraving by Baker based on a painting by Thomas Jones. From Powys County Archives)
[National Museum of Wales Catalogue of Topographical Prints; Williams, p.422-3]
To visit the National Library of Wales online exhibition on Thomas Jones click here.
(Right: The pool at Pencerrig from an engraving by Baker based on a painting by Thomas Jones. From Powys County Archives)
[National Museum of Wales Catalogue of Topographical Prints; Williams, p.422-3]
Jones, Thomas (1756-1807)
Born the illegitimate son of Catherine Evans, a serving woman of Llifior in Berriew parish, who married one Matthew Jones. Local tradition of long standing makes Thomas the illegitimate son of Owen Owen of Tynycoed, in whose service his mother was employed for a while. Thomas attended the free school in Berriew and the school at Kerry before being sent to Shrewsbury school. He matriculated at St John's College, Cambridge in 1744. He excelled at mathematics being said to be the best in his year, and transferred to Trinity College in 1777 in the hope of eventually being made a fellow. This he achieved in 1781 going on to be Junior Dean and Head Tutor before the end of the decade. He was a moving force behind the reforms which pulled college practices into line with those of other colleges and enhanced Trinity's reputation. Among his students was Lord Byron who had rooms next to Jones in College in 1805. He was tutor also to several sons of prominent Montgomeryshire families who came up to Trinity. He died aged 51 after a successful and much respected academic career.
[MC 79].
[MC 79].
Jones, W.A. (1830-1905)
Born at Bryncaws, Ystradgynlais he emigrated to America in 1851. In 1862 he travelled West to Nevada where he became Undersheriff for the state. He was then appointed Captain of the Watch at San Francisco Custom House by Senator Sergent who had been impressed by his bravery. While here Jones was known as the "Welsh Consul". He was later appointed Keeper of the Vault at the U.S. mint.
[Welsh people of California]
[Welsh people of California]
Jones, W. John
Cartoonist, known as Jon of the Daily Mail, born in Llandrindod Wells. In World War II was 174385 Jones, William John Philpin, MBE, Captain of the Welch Regiment. Became a Beach Landing Officer at Anzio, Italy where his experiences led him to start his interest in drawing.
[Newspaper cutting of Daily Mail, 18 Jan, 1969 & Western Mail of 24 Dec, 1979 - from Radnorshire Museum]
[Newspaper cutting of Daily Mail, 18 Jan, 1969 & Western Mail of 24 Dec, 1979 - from Radnorshire Museum]
Jones, Walter Buckley (d.1938)
Montgomeryshire. Son of Richard Edward Jones, and thus step-father of composer "Peter Warlock". Sat on Llandyssil parish council and Forden rural district council; joined Montgomeryshire county council in 1919; chairman of the LEA, 1927-1938.
[Enquiry file 21/3W]
[Enquiry file 21/3W]
Jones, Watkin (d.1797)
Butter merchant in the parish of Devynock. Tried at the Breconshire Great Sessions 1797 for forgery: on 25 February 1797 he altered a promissary note on the Brecon Bank to £30 from £10 and passed it with intent to defraud. He was executed on Wednesday 3 May.
[Mossop]
[Mossop]
Juckes, Thomas (fl.1600)
Of Lancashire descent originally, Thomas Juckes' father married into two important border families. Thomas Juckes himself was granted the lease of Buttington "fferme" and was also described as living at Buttington Hall. He was Sheriff of Montgomeryshire in 1580 and 1602 and his brother William was MP for the Montgomeryshire Boroughs. Thomas Juckes also held the office of chief steward of the lordship of Powis and is said to have lived to a ripe old age, being listed as a magistrate as late as 1626 although the Thomas Juckes listed as Sheriff in 1621 may have been his grandson.
[W.V. Lloyd - The Sheriffs of Montgomeryshire]
[W.V. Lloyd - The Sheriffs of Montgomeryshire]