THOMAS JONES OF DENBIGH, PAPERS

Deeds and papers relating to Penucha, Aberchwiler, Denbighshire, as well as other properties in Denbighsire and Flintshire, 1795-1824; miscellaneous accounts and papers, 1787-1842; correspondence of Thomas Jones, 1800-[c. 1820]; testamentary papers of Thomas Jones, [c.1820]-[c. 1843]; testamentary papers of Mrs Elizabeth Jones, 1804-1824; letters and papers of Mrs Mary Jones, 1820-1837; legal papers, 1818-1823; transcripts, mainly of papers relating to the settlement of Elizabeth Jones' estate, 1810-1837; notes concerning Thomas Jones, [c. 1902]-1957; copies of books and tracts by Thomas Jones and books and articles about him by Idwal Jones and others, 1789-1974; illustrations, [19th century]; miscellaneous [20th Century].

Apart from deeds relating to Penucha (the property inherited by Thomas Jones from his father) most of the manuscript material in the collection comprises family correspondence and papers. A significant proportion relates to the settlement of his first wife's estate, and the consequent long running dispute with Edward Jones of Mold, her brother.

In the collection are a number of early books and tracts written and /or published by Thomas Jones.

After Thomas Jones' death, further papers were added relating to his and his wives' estates, and to Sir J. Herbert Lewis and his family. Professor Idwal Jones' biographical notes on Thomas Jones were also added.

Thomas Jones (1756-1820) was a Calvinistic Methodist Minister and an author. He was born at Penucha, Aberchwiler, Denbighshire, and was educated at Caerwys and Holywell, Flintshire. In 1772, he joined the Calvinistic Methodists, and supervised societies in Mold, 1795-1804, Ruthin, 1804-1806, and Denbigh, 1806-1820. He was among the best-educated Methodist leaders in North Wales, and enjoyed a reputation as a scholar and theologian. He was one of the first to be ordained when the Calvinistic Methodists broke away from the established church in 1811. He wrote poetry and hymns, and pamphlets and books on theological matters. He was a close friend of Thomas Charles, of Bala, and Thomas Gee, of Denbigh. He set up a printing press at his home in Ruthin, in 1804, and sold it to Gee in 1813. He was married to Elizabeth Jones, of Mold, in 1795; she died in 1797. He married his second wife, Ann Maysmor of Llanelidan, in 1804, and his third, Mary Lloyd of Llanrwst, in 1806. He died in 1820. Penucha was eventually inherited by Sir J. Herbert Lewis (1858-1933), whose daughter Kitty married Professor Idwal Jones (1899-1966) in 1933.

Arranged into the following: deeds; accounts; correspondence and papers; legal; transcripts; books, tracts, etc.; and illustrations.

Data Protection Act restrictions will apply to any items less than 100 years old that contain personal information as defined by the Act.

Please order documents using the alternative reference number (where provided).

Compiled by Rhys Jones for the ANW project. The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: Flintshire Record Office, Thomas Jones of Denbigh MSS; Dictionary of Welsh Biography down to 1940 (London, 1959); Dictionary of Welsh Biography, 1941-1970 (London, 2001).

A hard copy of this catalogue is available at Flintshire Record Office.

Compiled by Rhys Jones for the ANW project. The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: Flintshire Record Office, Thomas Jones of Denbigh MSS; Dictionary of Welsh Biography down to 1940 (London, 1959); Dictionary of Welsh Biography, 1941-1970 (London, 2001).

Usual copyright regulations apply

Usual copyright regulations apply.

Item 1 withdrawn permanently; replaced in the collection by photocopy surrogate.

Accruals are not expected.

Further Lewis family and Thomas Jones material is Flintshire Record Office, D/L, Sir John Herbert Lewis MSS.