The Jones family papers, 1760-1810 / edited by John Eddins Simpson

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in 2010 with funding from

Lyrasis IVIembers and Sloan Foundation

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GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

COLLECTIONS, VOLUME XVII

The Jones Family Papers
1760-1810

Edited by
John Eddins Simpson

SAVANNAH: THE SOCIETY, 1976

The Jones Family Papers

PREFACE

At the dawning of the eighteenth century, a son was born to a
humble English carpenter, Edward Jones, and his wife. The baby,
baptized Noble by his devout AngHcan parents, grew to manhood in
Lambeth, located on the south bank of the Thames, a working class
district of teeming London. Like his father. Noble became a carpenter,
being apprenticed to that trade in 1717. Six years later he married Sarah
Hack and, before coming to Georgia with Oglethorpe, fathered two
children, Mary and Noble Wimberly.

Perhaps best remembered today as founder of the palatial Wor-
msloe estate near Savannah, Noble Jones was first a frontier soldier and
right-hand man of Oglethorpe and only secondarily a planter. He held
several posts under the Trusteeship. When the colony was royalized, a
seat on the select Governor's Council offered an outlet for his great
administrative talents. At the same time he practiced rudimentary
medicine in the sparcely settled colonial outpost, a profession sub-
sequently passed on to son and grandson.

The Revolutionary War crisis of 1775 found Jones firmly in the
Loyalist camp, while his son, now a leader in the radical-leaning
Commons House of the Assembly, was committed to the Patriot cause.
It was a painful family rupture for both, but death mercifully took the
elder Jones on November 2, 1775, several months before royal authority
collapsed in Georgia. Noble Wymberly Jones, dubbed the "Morning
Star of Liberty" by fellow revolutionaries, continued actively in
government. But with the fall of Savannah in 1778 he fled to Charleston,
only to be arrested by the British when that city was finally captured in
1780. The following year he was paroled from a stockade in St.
Augustine, Florida, in a general exchange of prisoners; whereupon he
settled in Charleston until 1788. From that date until his death in 1805,
Jones and his son, George, maintained a lucrative medical practice in
Savannah.

Dr. George Jones (1766-1838), third master of Wormsloe, continued
the family tradition of public service. Numerous local government posts
were followed by a stint in the state assembly and appointment to the
judgeship of Georgia's Eastern Judicial Circuit. Governor John Milledge
named him to fill a temporary vacancy in the Tenth Congress upon the
death of Representative Abraham Baldwin in 1807. Throughout his adult
life Jones concentrated on these legal and political activities, and
vigorously pursued business, medicine, and planting. Many of the letters
included in this volume passed between him and his son. Noble Wim-

4 The Jones Family Papers

berly II (1787-1818). They reveal in poignant detail the relationship be-
tween an affectionate father and an absent son, giving a concomitant in-
sight into the student life of an aristocratic southern lad in the North at
the outset of the nineteenth century.

A truly notable family, the first four generations of Joneses sank
deep roots into the fertile soil of colonial and early national Georgia.
Through extensive inter-marriage with other prominent families such as
the Bullochs, Glens, Hunters, Gibbonses, Kollocks, Telfairs, and Wards,
their progeny and descendants have shaped an important part of
Georgia's past. The letters presented herein, drawn from the manuscript
holdings of the Georgia Historical Society, depict in delightful and often
graphic detail part of that past.

The editor is heavily indebted to the competent and obliging staff of
the Georgia Historical Society for its kind support and assistance. In
particular the amiable encouragement and scholarly guidance of the
Society's Director, Mrs. Lilla M. Hawes, has made this compilation
possible. Finally, special thanks go to Society president, Colonel Albert
S. Britt, Jr., for graciously authorizing the study and to Professor
Emeritus Ellis Merton Coulter whose exemplary imprint rests upon the
generations of Georgia historians who have had the pleasure of his coun-
sel and friendship.

In general, original spelling and punctuation have been retained
except in cases where clarity has required a change.

JOHN EDDINS SIMPSON

The Jones Family Papers 5

[Undated poem by Noble Jones to Sarah Hack]*

This was not sent In compliment.

Let us share In joy and care.

In my breast, My Heart Doth Rest,

The love is true, That I owe you.

Despise not me For I love thee.

Of all the rest, / love the best.

The love I owe, I fain would show.

O, that I might, Have thee my wight.

What I call mine Shall be thine.

I shorely Die If you Deny,

I do love none But thee alone,

I'll rather Die Than not comply.

Love is heard Boath plain & dare

As I affect thee So respect me.

No turtle dove Hath firmer love.

My love by this Presented is.

Heart and hand At your command,

The sight of thee Is life to me.

Inconstancy / live and die,

I am yours While life endured.

*Apparently written in the early 1720's. The couple was married at St. James West-
minister, July 30, 1723.

God hath chosen a mate for me

I'll honor his in loving thee

Thee did I find, thee did I choose

Thee do I bind but death must lose.

As I expect so let me find,

A faithful heart and constant mind,

God hath kept my heart for thee.

Grant that our love may faithful be.

Such pleasure I find choice I find.

That naught but death shall change my mind.

With wealth and beauty all do well

But constant love do these excell.

The eye finds, the heart chooseth.

The hands bind

But death looseth.

6 The Jones Family Papers

P.S. Miss, Keep this in Rememberance of Me, when you look at it
think of Them that wrote it who perhaps may be many a mile off.

I, Miss, Yours This is my name in full,

Forever Noble Jones

Dr. Son,' July 14, 1760

Herewith you will receive what things you wrote for
(medicines) ... I have thoughts of coming to see you for at present I
have no hopes for your quick return. Our news fluctuates one day good
another day bad, for as an alloy to the joy of Colo. Montgomery's '

beating the Cherokees, burning their towns & on Saturday last an ac-
count arrived that they have beat him (or at least much galled him) in
turn having killed & wounded upward of a hundred of his Men and what
is worse, if true, that he has received orders from Genl. Amherst ^ to
return to the Northward directly and that he is actually on his march
back from the Nation for Charleston leaving the Forts London^ & Prince
George- to stand or fall as they can, also that he began said retreat
immediately after the above unfortunate affair. Now if this be true, even
admitting as it is reported that in the end after a fight of 4'/2 hours he got
the better & drove the Indians, yet I am afraid it will so elate them by his
so sudden retreat that they will imagine he was forced to do it, and I
don't doubt but the French will improve it to our disadvantage, not only
with the Cherokees but Creeks & we must hope the best.^

Mrs. Rigby^ and daughter & c. set off at noon this day for Cockspur
where Capt. Ball is ready for sailing (supposed tomorrow), but Mr.
Zouberbuhler*^ does not go this time. Mr. Hamilton died this morning.
My compliments to Capt. PowelP and all friends.

I am, & c.
N. Jones

I just now hear that an Express is just arrived from Carolina, which
confirms Colo. Montgomery's being sent for & c.

Dr. Son, July 24, 1760

As I am glad of hearing from you by all opportunities, so I take all
of sending to you. We have no News (foreign I mean) for not a word
about Indians hath been heard for some days, but then Domestic not
only fill our Politicians Heads, but also the Walls of the Watch House,
on Saturday Dr. Johnson '" put up a long advertisement of Letters
wherein he (in very suitable terms) desires the Freeholders Votes &

The Jones Family Papers 7

Interest, since which Mr. Wylly" has put up another wherein he declares
against Court Influences & his own independency & that no Man can
serve 2 masters & c. &c. Mr. Grey Elliott,'^ Mr. Hen. Yonge'-&Cpt. Ga.
DeVeaux'"*have also put up Letters & last night a very pretty smart Letter
was set up in a Quaker stile signed Peter Barker which announces well on
of the others wherin he says Poverty is no Vice, neither is being rich being
virtuous also that the man who has no Court Influences may have his
own private views & party piques which may be as destructive to the
Common Weal, & c. & c. and it is expected some replys will follow so
that we are not all idle.

Mr. Ottolenghe''^has declared (among his friends but not in writing)
himself a Candidate and some others are talked of. The Election is to be
on Tuesday the 29th for Sav.

If nothing unforeseeable prevents I intend coming with Capt. Powell
to pay you a visit, I have much to say to you.

I hear that Joseph Gibbons'^ sets for action against you which some
of your Friends are for setting up again.

We are all in pretty good health blessed be God. Don was at
Wormsloe some time & got pure well & hearty. Katy & Johnny were also
there some days but your wife & Sally went there on Sunday & on
Monday they all came to Town except Johnny who they left for a little
longer. We all join in sincere prayers & hearty good wishes.

Your ever Affectionate,
N. Jones

Your Wife has sent your Breeches & a Horse Bell. Since those on
[the] other side viz. this morning & other Papers or rather Lampoons
have been set up, the one in Verse in answer to those before the others
sign'd an old Slander recommending Miss Mary Jones' as a Candidate
that she will stick by the old Standers as all her family have done &
c. . . . a Head Man with 10 or 12 Indians arrived at Fort Argyle"^
yesterday with Lieut. Butler sent in an acct. thereof they are expect'd
in Town today. I think it looks well & c.

Sunday Morn./ Since the above which [was] to have come by Walter
Dennie viz. on Thursday I was sent for home your Mother having fell
down very ill in the Garden & lay for a considerable time before it was
known. I found her so bad that I doubted her living till next day but she
seem'd a little better yesterday but I much fear it will not hold long. She
much desires to see you therefore I beg you will come as soon as possible,
I am just going down again to her, being unsa'fy at being absent from
her.

N.J.

8 The Jones Family Papers

Dr. Son, August 20, 1760

The Assembly met (at least all were in town) on Monday the day of
the Writ's return, & chose Mr. Grey Elliott, Speaker, who being present
so approved. The Governor '^thought it most prudent to adjourn both
Houses to Tuesday the 25th [of] Nov. next (being a cooler season). In the
evening the Governor and both Houses were entertained by the Speaker
at Mr. Blake's, but the Speaker himself was taken ill, therefore was not
at supper. It is reported that all matters are in a fair way of being soon
accommodated with the Cherokees & c. I believe I should have taken this
opportunity of coming myself, but Mr. Honey being very ill, was forced
to go to Epherata, was called out of bed last night, and am now going
again to Epherata.

I remain & c.
N. Jones

I don't know whether you have a list"' therefore I send one: for
Savannah Jos. Ottolenghe,* Gray Elliott,* Lewis Johnson,* Jos.
Gibbons,* Acton William Gibbons,* Vernonburg Edmond Tanner,*
Lea Islands Henry Yonge,* Little Ogeechee James Read,* Abercorn
& Goshen William Francis,* Ebenezer Wm. Ewen,* N. W. Jones,
James DeVeaux,* St. Matthew's, Hallifax, Alex. Wylly,* Jas.
Whitefield,* St. George Augusta, St. Paul, Edwd. Barnard, John
Graham,* . . . Williams or L. M. Gillvary (I don,t know which) Great
Ogeechee, St. Philips, Elisha Butler,* John Maxwell,* Midway &
Sunbury, St. John, Thos. Carter,* Parmenus Way,* John
Winn* Darien & c, St. Andrew, Baillie, John Holmes Frederica, St.
James, Lachlan Mcintosh.

The 19 marked thus * met and were qualified. Yesterday the great
Horse Race between Mr. John Maxwell & Mr. John Fitch was run, when
the former's horse beat. Mr. Tabb had the misfortune of having his leg
broke.

Dr. Son* August 25, 1760

We have nothing new, except that it is confidently said that the
Garrison of Fort London has capitulated with the Indians and are
marching down, being allowed all military honors as their arms, colors
flying, drums beating & c. but surrendered the Fort, Ordinance, am-
munition & c. to the Indians: they are to be escorted down to the Set-
tlements and it is further said that a party of Headmen that escort them
down are authorized to go quite to Charleston to sue for Peace & c. Time
will prove the proof and how far it will be advantageous or not. Various

The Jones Family Papers 9

are the conjectures, some think it will doubtless produce Peace, others
think the French will get the Fort into their possession, & thereby prolong
the war.

Yours &c.
N. Jones

Dr. Son, Sept. 4, 1760

I have heard no news lately to be depended upon one day the
Garrison of Fort London are arrived safe at Fort Prince George, another
day they are stop'd in the Middle-Town & c.

N. Jones

Dr. Son, Sept. 10, 1760 11 P.M.

I heard at Captain Milledge's'^ about an hour ago that there is an
Express from Charleston, come in tonight with much news Some good,
as that our Troops & Fleet in the East Indies have had great success that
the Kings of Sardinia and Spain are going to it with one another, which in
all likelihood will bring Spain on us & c. that the Fleet arrived at
Charleston, which has brought this news and that Lieut. Gov. Wright^^

is arrived. Timothy's Gazette of Saturday last, which is in town, says,
(as I hear for I have not seen it) that Fort London Garrison were by
Indians detained at Weeochee in the Middle-Towns, 80 miles above
Prince George, & that the Indians have sent for Gov. BulF^'to come up to
them and bring what Indian Prisoners he has & make a firm Peace,
exchange Prisoners & c. to make all strait. But it is further reported that
the Express has brought account that the Indians have killed Capt. P.
Demere"^"& all the regulars, about 25, and after that made the above
offer If I hear further particulars in the morning & can get time before
setting off for Mr. Yonge's will write further.

4 Morning. I have just seen Mr Zouberbuhler & Mr. Russell who
confirm that the Carolina Fleet arrived on Sunday before Noon that it
is said Mr. Wright will be in Savan. in 10 days that the King of Prussia^*

has been worsted that Prince Ferdinand-' was retreating before the
French army: but as he has an army of 80,000 men it is hoped he is
retreating only to gain advantage. Spain and Sardinia as above, that
Mr. Milne being uneasy about the Garrison of Fort London sent an
Express to them who met them (as above at Weeochee, that the Man-
Killer,'^ who expresses for Mr. Milne acquaints him that they have killed
Capt. Demere & upward of 20 of his men, as many as were killed of their
hostages) that the whole Cherokees have declared, which they never did
before this war, that the Mortar"^'' is among them with 200 Creeks also

10 The Jones Family Papers

they have about 100 Nauchees. That they have made Prisoners of all the
rest of Fort London Garrison, & employ them to bring the Cannon down
from thence, & intend to force them to make use of said Cannon to take
Fort Prince George, & therefore out of that regard which he (the Man-
Killer) has for him (Mr. Milne) advises him to march away with his
Garrison before they come. That from Prince George they intend to take
the Fort at Ninety-Six ^ after all which, he does not know, but they
may before Peace. If all this (which is generally believed) be true, I think
without the spirit of prophecy one may pronounce a general war here as
well as in Europe, and the war which we hoped was near the end, is but
just beginning. We can only trust in that God in whom we are the Issues
of Life & Death, War & Peace, who only best knows what is best.

lam&c.
N. Jones

Dr. Son, Sat. October 1 1 , 1 760

The enclosed I wrote to have sent by Warley but he not going I take
this opportunity [to relate] what news we have viz. On Thursday night we
had the agreeable account that Montreal (and thereby all Canada) has
surrendered to the English, which good news was celebrated here
yesterday, by firing Cannon at Noon and illuminations & c. at night. Mr.
Wright is expected immediately as the Scout Boat is in sight & near up.
Some of the Choctaws are coming down with two French-scalps, which I
think is all news that at present occurs.

I remain, in haste. Yours & c.
N. Jones

Dr. Son, Jany. 29, 1761

I have received several of your favors, but have seldom had op-
portunity of answering, not knowing when persons have gone your way,
except perhaps just at their departing and have been for some time
expecting you, as I was informed Mr. Bryan^' was going, likewise Capt.
Powell told me he was going himself to relieve you. As to news. Gov.
Ellis has wrote that Colo. Montgomery has set the behavior of the
Province of Carolina to his Majesty's Troops in such a light to Genl.
Amherst that Colo. Grant^^ has discretionary orders, if they did not
behave to him to his liking to return directly; but Gov. Ellis has so far
prevailed with the General that he has countermanded those orders, and
Colo. Grant is to continue in Carolina till the peace of the Colony is

The Jones Family Papers 1 1

established, unless on his representation to the General he shall receive
further orders for to take care of Georgia & c. and if it can be performed
promises to send Major Rogers with Indians overland & c. Two or three
days before Gov. Ellis wrote, a packet arrived from England, since which
the General had kept all secret & had not been seen, but had sent for all
the Troops forthwith to prepare to New York it is suggested that an
Expedition somewhere is on foot, to the South & c. By accounts from
Gov. Bull, there are some French arrived among the Cherokees, and they
(the Cherokees) are full of Spirit, threatening that if any forces offer to
come against them, they will kill every Englishman in their power & c.
Also, that a great many Creeks will join them & c. We hope it is all
Bravado, for it seems certain that the lower Cherokees are in great
distress for want of Corn, but they say the Creeks have invited them to
their towns, & they will supply them; but, by the best accounts we have,
great part of the Creeks are in the same strait for the want of Corn & c.
The. Wolf is now here, & says that there may be several of the Creeks
who would willingly join the Cherokees, but he thinks the greater part
are staunch for the English.

I suppose you have heard that Prince Ferdinand has met with a
rebuff by the French & lost 700 men (mostly Enghsh) & was forced to
raise the Seige of Wesel, but the King of Prussia has paid Count Daun
with interest, having killed many thousand, taken 10,000 prisoners,
drove 4,000 into the River & drowned them, taken a very large quantity
of Artillery & c. & c. (the particulars I don't remember) but he has
obtained an almost incredible victory,^'' insomuch that his present
Majesty on receiving the news the 11th of Nov. the day after his late
Majesty was buried, ordered the tower guns to be fired, which it is said
has not been done for any victory in this war before.^" Our Gov. Wright
has received a letter from the Board of Trade, dated Oct. 28, acquainting
him with the King's death, and that orders with directions for
proclaiming his present Majesty King George the 3rd. & c. & c. was
preparing & would be sent to him & all the Governors in America in a few
days & c. The Capt. (Holmes) who brought the letter from New York
says the Forney Man-of-War came into New York the day before he
sailed, & he heard that she had brought said dispatches & that the King
was to be proclaimed there in a day or two. I forgot to tell you that Gov.
Wright's letter came to N. York by packet which brought the Orders to
Gen. Amherst & sailed from England the latter end of October, but the
Forney did not sail till after the 11th of Nov. so that we think she may
have brought them, & if so, we may be daily in expectation. If you find
any difficulty in reading this scrawl when I see you I will explain, for my
implements are bad, my head aches, & this is near one o'clock hearing
only in the afternoon of this conveyance. I have been very busy, and

12 The Jones Family Papers

hindered by a disturbance in the street with a gang of Privateer's men
fighting & c. which is not yet quite over.

Your affect.,
N. Jones

Honored Sir,* Savannah 26th Feby. 1788

I was favored with your letter of the 20th inst. by Capt. Dickenson,
and am glad to hear of your agreeable passage from hence.

The Indians killed & scalped sometime ago on the Midway or
Canouchie settlement a Boy and a Man or two, & lately have killed &
scalped one or two person's at Belcher's Mill, about forty miles from
here, & it is said a number of their tracks have since been seen on
Canouchie about twenty miles from town, which I believe induced the
General to order the first Draft of the Militia of this County, to Ogeechee
Ferry for the security of the specific Tax, which is, when collected by the
Collector of Taxes from the inhabitants beyond & near the ferry,
deposited there by him it is reported that the Governor''' has sent out an
invitation to the Indians to meet the Commissioners of the several States,
under the Resolve of Congress, sometime in April Next, if so we may
expect at least a cessation of hostiHties until the determination of their
meeting.

As soon as the Court of the ensuing March term is over, which I
suppose will be about the 10th of March next, I shall take the earliest
opportunity of going to Charleston to render you assistance in my power,
as proposed when you were here.'^

Mrs. TaarHngh who arrived here lately requests that you will try to
find out Mr. Denully to whom the enclosed letters are directed, & send
them to him (she says they are from his Brother and Sister at St. Croix).

Mrs. Jones desires to be remembered to you. Sisters & the family, &
Mrs. Gibbons & family present their respects. I remain,

Your dutiful & obed.
Geo. Jones

This letter is from George Jones to his father, Noble Wimberly Jones.

Dear Gibbons,^' Savannah 5th July 1791

My father has lost two horses, which he supposes were stolen off the
Common, one of them is the white he purchased of Cohen's Estate, the
other is the bay they call Roman they are advertised in the Gazette &
the bearer Mr. Sheftall also takes up some hand bills to fix up at some of

The Jones Family Papers 13

the PubHc Houses on the Road if you meet with them you will know
them without having the description from me, & therefore will doubtless
secure them.

My father requests that if this should meet you in Augusta, you will
take the trouble to examine the state of a Bond in the Treasury given by
either Mr. S. J. Cuthbert or Mr. O'Brien for a wharf lot in Savannah, &
if any, with their dates and also the date of the Bond, & inquire of the
Treasurer whether Certificates are receivable. You will know the par-
ticular Bond by a Mortgage on the wharf in which the date & amt. of the
Bond will be recited.

No news, but Croft at Newport, giving a dismal account of the crop,
which you will have related I suppose fully by your Brother.

Remember me to Mr. Telfair'** & the Children I remain.

Sincerely Yours,
Geo. Jones

Dear Sir,* Newton, March 22, 1796

Though I wrote you lately in Charleston, yet seeing an advertisement
of a vessel sailing in a day or two to Savannah, I shall endeavor to send
the latest information to yourself & Mrs. Jones of your dear children. I
was very happy to find by a gentleman from Georgia, that the report of
our papers concerning negro insurrections there was unfounded. Edward
& Noble ''^continue well. We have been alarmed to agony through this
winter, lest they be attacked with the scarletina which has proved fatal to
multitudes of children in New [illeg.]. It came into our family upon their
first coming, a child we had on visit being attacked with it. But by the
blessing of Providence & the means we used (which have proved very
successful in numerous cases before & since) viz. administering a gentle
emetic at the very first attack, saturating salt in the portion of one large
spoon-ful with two spoons of sharp vinegar, adding to it three times the
quantity of water & giving one spoon-ful each hour garghng the throat
frequently with cider, and fumigating with the steam of heated vinegar in
which myrrh is dissolved. There was a most rapid recovery from a very
alarming attack. It has been in all parts of my family & in the neigh-
borhood, though attended with little mortality & we feel great cause of
thankfulness in the preservation of our children. It is not now anywhere
in town. We promised also Dr. Sims', President of the London Medical
Society's recipes, (in his treatise on the ulcerated sore throat) and which
Dr. Bullfinch, one of the first physicians of Boston declares never to have
failed in his practice, viz. dropping from one hundred to two hundred
drops of oil or spirits of vitriol into an eight ounce vial nearly full of
simple water with the addition of sixty or eighty drops of compound

14 The Jones Family Papers

spirits of lavander directing from a tea-spoon full to a common table
spoon full to be given every two or three hours, according to the age of
the patient & urgency of the symptoms carefully endeavoring to keep
the stomach & bowels clean by repeated doses of rhubarb & salt of
wormwood, neutralized by some of the vitriolic mixture, or giving castor
oil or brimstone & molasses to children occasionally giving an anodyne
at night adding the decoction of bark. We procured the medicines of
the best kind & gave Dr. Sims' treatise to our physician, who has ex-
perienced in one very dangerous case its efficacy.

Noble, in the course of the winter, has repeatedly complained at bed
time of feeling as he did at the beginning of his last fever at Savannah.
But upon putting his feet into warm water, together with a gentle potion
of essence of antimony he has awoke to perfect health the next morning.
He has been much troubled, at times, with eruptions & boils on his
thighs, perhaps the humor which used to discharge at the ear. We have
given him salts, tartaric & flowers of sulphur which is very healing. He
does not complain of any eruption at present.

E[dward] & N[oble] are considerably advanced in Corderius. They
have an astonishing ambition to move with equal progress. This mor-
ning, beside reading, answering questions on the subject read, spelling &
writing, they studied perfectly the rendering of two pages of Corderius'
Colloquies into English. The evenings are lately employed in reading,
explaining, applying & answering the various inquiries of the children
concerning the Letters and Journal of Mdme. de Genlis, the
distinquished, indefatigable governess of the children of the late M.
D'Arlsam. Upon her plan in part, & by the joint desire of all our
children, I have made & keep a Rsd. Book entitled a Journal of the
virtuous and commendable parts of the history of J.H., G.W.E., I.E.,
E.J.C. & [in] which we find a great stimulus to virtue & industry. It is to
be open to the inspection of their friends. Perhaps I shall sometimes send
you extracts from it. E[dward] & N[oble] are very affectionate to each
other. Great as is our care, our pleasure in their society, happiness, &
improvement of the children greatly preponderates. We have lately had a
very urgent request from a cousin of mine in Boston to take under our
care an infirm son, whom they formerly sent to Madiera for his health.
Dining one day at their table with Noble &[illeg.] this history of his past
& present state of health, the Dr. & Mrs. Joy expressed an ardent wish
(which they had long cherished, but not disclosed, as they knew that we
had never taken scholars) that their son might be added to those under
our care. But though from the affluence of his circumstances we might
have had any price as a compensation; & our friendship for the very
amiable parents excited our strong sympathy; yet we were obliged, upon
mature deliberation, to deny their request, as any addition to our care &

The Jones Family Papers 15

attention (especially of an infirm child) appeared a task to which we were
unequal. The care of those with us had been found greater than expected.
But they were on the spot, and had become our children by affection. I
mention the above, to prevent any similar application at any future time
from any parents of your friends in your quarter. We fear, lest you, Sir,
have suffered much by the floods in January. The children wish much to
hear from you their dear parents, grandparents, sisters, & c. to whom
they send duty & love. Edward has written by Capt. L. Jackson. William
Pierce is in good health. Capt. L. Jackson offered to answer any bill I
should draw on you. But as I did not need the cash, & a remittance might
be actually on its way before his arrival in Georgia, I declined, but it
should subject you to a double payment. Please, Sir, remit only when it is
perfectly convenient, but never in winter, as the coast is too dangerous. I
am, Sir, in great haste, yours,

Jno. Homer

P.S. I never wish for anticipations except it should at any time be
most covenient with you.

*George Jones

Dear Grandson,* Savannah 20 Augt. 1801

It gave me concern that I have not had time to write an answer to
yours of 22d. July. I have been very ailing though not laid up and so
frequently interrupted which is also the case just now that I fear I shall
scarce be able to finish & get this into the mail. Am very happy to find
you were both received in College with so much approbation and have no
doubt you will continue to exert yourselves to always have the sanction
of your tutors & all good men. I trust you have or will soon have the
pleasure of the company of your dear Papa & Mama & Sisters to whom
remember you Grandma's Aunt, Cousins & all our affectionate remem-
berance and I conclude,

Your affectionate Grandfather,
N. W. Jones

I write in such hurry & interruption by messages [I] can scarce see
what I have wrote; your Cousin Hunter's^' son David seems so ill & so
reduced that there is scarce the least hope left of him.

*Noble Wimberly Jones II

16 The Jones Family Papers

My dear son,* Savannah 8 April 1 802

From your cousin George I have been informed of your peculiar
suffering this winter from attacks of two severe diseases, Measles and
Pleurisy. In the last of which Mr. Alfred Cuthbert^'who arrived here
three days ago with his Mother, says you had been in imminent danger.

It gives me real concern that your constitution should have suffered
two such severe trials in so short a time, but my sincere thanks are of-
fered up to the Supreme Being for your recovery, and to the Physicians,
and your Cousin George for their attention, and I hope your gratitude
has produced your acknowledgements to your Maker for his goodness to
you, and to those gentlemen for their attention. I am glad to hear that
you have put Flannel on next to your skin, and I hope you will continue
until the weather is quite settled, at least until June to wear it so, and if
you should be desirous of taking it off then, it would be best to have
some Cotton Jackets ready and substitute them for you will be subject
for sometime to feel every change in the weather and I hope you will be
advised in using proper care to restore your health properly.

It is with sincere regret we have heard of the destruction of the
College Building at Princeton, and the valuable library therein. Aided by
Mr. Dennis M. Hunter I have been for a week taking about a sub-
scription in this city to aid its reestabUshment, and from the liberality of
those to whom we have presented the subscriptions, especially the late
students, and those who have otherwise been advantaged by it in their
families. I have no doubt we shall collect something handsome. Should
the members of your society prepare a subscription for the reestabhsh-
ment of its library, I will enable you, upon your hinting the business to
me, to subscribe as liberally as most of its members. Altho' the very
reduced prices of produce, and part of mine being yet unprepared for
market, owing to neglect during my absence, render an immediate ad-
vance of money rather inconvenient, yet I deem your future welfare so
connected with your present opportunities of acquiring information that
I would make sacrifices to obtain for such a purpose.

I regret that not hearing in time has put your Cousin George at some
inconvenience to meet the extra expenses of you and Edward, but I
directed Mr. Russell of N. York as soon as he knew it to forward him
$130 & I enclosed $100 in a bank bill to him both sums I hope he has
received, and I wish him to give me timely notice of any more wanted.

I regret very much my son your aversion to write, it would afford
great pleasure to your relations to receive letters from you, and none
would be more grateful than.

Your sincerely affectionate
Father, Geo. Jones

The Jones Family Papers 17

P.S. Your Mother, Grandparents, Uncles & Aunts are well and write
with me in rememberance of Edward & your Cousins. Mr. Homer paid
Mr. Jackson some money which he said he owed you, the sum is, I think,
ten dollars, but I cannot immediately lay my hands on the account;
however, I have enclosed ten dollars in a bank bill which I hope you will
receive safe.

G.J.

*Noble Wimberly Jones II

My dear son, Savannah 20 July 1 802

It is with great pleasure I have it at last in my power to acknowledge
your favors of the 24th April last, and 22d. May.

My absence from this at Augusta prevented an earlier answer. It
affords me much happiness to be informed, & from yourself, of your
perfect recovery, and I sincerely pray to God that your health may be
continued & enable you to prosecute with effect your studies. Whilst
engaged in them do not neglect your relations & friends, writing
frequently will much assist your studies. Composition, at which you say
you are a poor hand, should become easy, if you were in the habit of
frequently composing letters to your friends. It is a faculty most easily
acquired by frequently committing your thoughts to paper, and the more
natural the better. I have frequently urged this as a truth, which you
appeared at least from your backwardness, unavailing to believe, but
which I think your deficiency in composing must at length convince you
of.

You cannot have a better guide than the direction of Mr. Clay to
Alfred in a course of reading, or any other advice, and I most heartily
wish you may both be as distinquished for talents & virtue as he who
advised. He will be honored by such a nephew, and I such a son. If
sickness of some unforseen event should not prevent, I shall have the
pleasure of seeing you at Princeton about the last of August. Your Uncle
Wm. & Aunt Telfair^'' go in the brig New York, and will forward this to
you. If I have time I shall write to Sarah, but for fear I should not I wish
you to inform her, & to make my love to her, & Ann, Martha & Harriet.'^

I am glad you have visited her & examined their improvement in their
studies, and am pleased that Sarah is at length attentive. She is your
Sister, and nearest relation except your Father pray write to her often,
and advise her. She is an affectionate & good girl, and I hope should any

18 The Jones Family Papers

accident happen to me she will find a sincere friend, protector, and
brother in you.

Adieu. Your sincere and affec-
tionate Father, Geo. Jones

Dear Nephew,* New York 2 Augt. 1802

I arrived here on Wednesday last with your Aunt & Cousins Sarah &
Margaret. Your Father will, I suppose, be at Princeton the latter end of
this month, as he said you would leave Savannah about the middle. Your
relations were all well except your Grandmother who was complaining of
indisposition but not worse than she is in general. Your aunt and myself
intend to make a visit of Princeton some time next week if your Cousin
Sarah's fever leaves her. Remember me to Edw'd Campbell.

Yrs. Affectionately,
Wm, Gibbons

*Noble Wimberly Jones II

My dear son. Savannah 21st February 1803

Your letters of the 14th Dec. from New York, and 24th from
Princeton have afforded me great pleasure. They evince a regard for your
veracity which is a trait I admire in a character, and they relieved me
from much anxiety, but your omitting to mention your state of health
prevented that satisfaction which a knowledge of your complete recovery
would afford me.

Capt. Burnham said you had recovered much, but Major Dennis
says that when he saw you in Brunswick he thought you had the ap-
pearance of being in ill health. I hope when you write again you will tell
me whether you are rid of the cough, & what your general state of health
is. I beg you will consult a Physician if you should be unwell, and follow
his advice & prescriptions. I think exercise very necessary, walking in
good dry weather, and riding when the earth is wet.

You did well to consult Dr. Maclean in regard to your studies on
your arrival, and the course he advised appears to me a very proper one,
but I hope you will not pursue your private studies with so much ardor as
to neglect the exercise necessary for your health. I received a letter from
your Cousin George two days ago which informs me that he has taken a
dismission from College. 1 hope he has been advised well on the subject.
This event will make a change in your roommate, and I hope you may be
so fortunate to procure a good one. If Sarah's mattress is as bad as you

The Jones Family Papers 1 9

represent, I hope you have suppHed yourself with a better one. I have
mentioned to her your proposition of writing to her, if she will com-
mence the correspondence, but she manifests as great an aversion of
writing as yourself.

Mrs. Tatnall^' died the day after you sailed from this she was
most affectionate in all her relations of wife, mother, and friend, and
met death with all that true fortitude which characterizes a pious, vir-
tuous, and well spent life, and that you may be as well prepared as she
was, when it shall please God to call you hence is the sincere prayer of
your parent.

The weather here was severely cold during the month of December
and January. The present month commenced moderately, but on the
15th after several wet days, it commenced sleeting about noon, & toward
evening it snowed pretty severely & continued the greater part of the
night. The next day the tops of the houses & streets exhibited a Northerly
appearance. Sleighing was the amusement of the day the snow con-
tinued on the ground for several days.

Your Grandpapa, Grandmama, Mama, Sister, Sally, Edward,
Martha, Harriet, and your Uncles & Aunts & Cousins all unite in af-
fectionate rememberance to Joseph & Cousin George and I remain,

Your sincerely affectionate
Father, Geo. Jones

Dear Nephew, Savannah 20th May 1803

I rec'd. a letter from you some time ago and should have answered
sooner but was at that time very unwell & continued so for some time &
since my recovery which was not very long since very much engaged in
business. I have loaned you forty dollars to your Father & have taken his
note for the same with interest from this date. I was sorry to hear from
your Father that your health was bad. I hope the warm season has
perfectly recovered you. You have been unfortunate with some of your
cattle but not more so than myself. Your horses I can give you no ac-
count of as 1 have not beer over the river for some months. I believe none
of them have died since you were there. I will be glad to hear from you.
Your friends will all write.

I am Dr. Nephew with affection

Yr. Obt. svt. Wm. Gibbons

My Dear Grandson, Savannah 5th June 1 803

As having a few lines from you frequently will afford great

satisfaction, I hope you will write to me as often as your studies will

20 The Jones Family Papers

admit, and as you have been ailing[I] request you will give some account
of your health, to which may be added that of your cousin Glen's and
as my not writing more frequently does not rise from want of respect or
inclination but from ailment & hurry of business you must take the least
offence at these not being so frequent as I could wish.

It affords real satisfaction to find your attention to your studies has
the approbation of your Teachers, and [I] earnestly hope the Almighty
may enable your constitution to bear it. With the united affectionate
respects of Your Grand Mamma, Your Aunt, and Cousins, I conclude
your affectionate Grand Father,

N. W. Jones

My dear son, Middleton, Connecticut 28 June 1803

Indisposition & fatique have prevented my writing to you before,
but I was hopeful that my son would not have used etiquette with his
Father. It would afford my happiness to hear often from you. Your
Cousin George in a letter received three days since, informed me that you
had recovered from the faintness of which you often complained, and
that your health was better. This information has relieved me from much
anxiety on your account. I would wish you to take powder of Colombo,
about ten grains in a half glass of wine. Beer, or water two or three times
a day, when the stomach is empty, & particularly when you feel faint. I
should suppose that you could procure an once of it in Princeton, if not
let me know, & I will have it sent to you from N. York.

I received yesterday from your Mother a letter dated the 13th
Inst. the families were all well, except Mrs. Kollock^" who is much
indisposed. She mentioned it in a former letter, & I wrote previously to
my leaving N. York by the first packet, & in hopes of seeing her I would
delay my journey to the Springs in Virginia until her answer. Mr. Hall^
wrote me from Nassau, New Providence, that poor Mr. Tatnall^** was
then nearly expired. His poor children are now left to deplore the loss of
both of their most affectionate Parents of whom they are deprived in
their infant & helpless state depending upon our common Parent who
promises to be a Father to the helpless, to provide friends to protect &
conduct them, as would have become their dear deceased Parents. Truly
thankful to God ought those to be whose parents are saved to see them
through this perilous part of life.

Your mother writes that Mr. Mossman is dead, & Mrs. Wayne is
dying. That the certainty of death & the uncertainty of when we may be
summoned, may prepare both you & me for the event is the most sincere
prayer of my dear son,

Your truly affectionate Father,
Geo. Jones

The Jones Family Papers 21

My dear son Sweet Springs, Virginia 20th Sept. 1803

I have written to you several times since I left you, and have not yet
had the pleasure to receive a line from you. Your Cousin George has also
written very frequently, but has not heard from you. Perhaps this day's
mail may bring something but the arrangement is so bad that the mail
closes at 12 o'clock & does not arrive till five o'clock in the afternoon of
the same day, by which we are precluded answering letters until the
following week. We have just returned from visiting the Sulphur Springs,
Hot and Warm Springs all within about forty miles of this'*^ but the
Sulphur Springs may be traveled on Horseback 17 miles west of the
Alleghany only from hence. The Hot Springs are on this side of that
mountain, about 35 miles from the Sulphur & 38 from this about N. & E.
and the Warm Springs 5 miles from the Hot has perhaps the most
elegant bath in the world. It is an Octagon about forty feet in diameter,
the water about 97 degrees Fahrenheit's thermometer, and by a gate may
be any depth from 2 to 7 feet.

It is so great a luxury that many persons indulge in it in warm
weather for two or three hours at a time, & come out quite invigorated.
At the Hot Springs there is a bath about 106 degrees, another about 98,
and a spring of water extremely cold all within about one hundred
yards such are the wonderful works of nature.

My health is much benefitted by the use of all those waters, but most
by the Sulphur and I regret that I had not come earlier for I believe a
longer use of them would have completely reinstated me. I have great
reason to thank God for the benefit I have already received but I have
been so long from my family & the weather has become so cold that I
have determined to leave this on my return home, on Wednesday the 28th
instant. Your letters must therefore in the future be directed to Savan-
nah, where I hope to be about the 25th of next month. Mr. Arnold who
followed me here for the benefit of his health, has entirely recovered he
says he forwarded your handsome fiddle & bow by Mr. Cummings of
Georgia, which I hope you have received, & that it pleases. It ought to be
good & handsome for it cost three dollars. I hope you visit the Balltown
Springs if you can go there without going to New York City, and if not
try some of the Springs in Jersey or Pennsylvania drink freely of the
water & exercise & I hope you will be enabled to regain health as to be
enabled to prosecute your studies in the next Session with more ease &
advantage.

A letter from your Mother of the 20th of last month gave me the
pleasing information of herself & all our family being in health at that

22 The Jones Family Papers

time [since] you have heard from her & that you will surely write to her &
your Grand Father & Sister. I remain, my dear son,

Your sincerely affectionate Father,
Geo. Jones

My dear son, Savannah 24th Nov, 1803

A few days after my return here I wrote you and enclosed a bank
note for one hundred dollars. Shortly after I wrote by Capt. Star who
took in charge a bundle with some shirts which he promised to deliver to
Messrs. A. Jackson & Co. The money and shirts I hope you have
received it would be satisfactory to know it. I have received yours of the
16th ult. and shall forward you by mail fifty dollars. Your plea for not
travelling during the vacation is not a good one. You could have post-
poned settling with Mrs. Mints'" until a further remittance, which I have
no doubt would have been satisfactory to her but if not you could have
procured what money would have been necessary from Messrs. Jackson
& Co. under authority of my letter of credit in your favor. Your health
would doubtless have improved, yet if you remain well enough to pursue
your studies I shall be pleased. Remember that violent exercise produced
your first attack of pleurisy and avoid the like cause. Josiah arrived here
only about eight days ago from Baltimore.

You have, I suppose, heard of the death of Mrs. Cuthberth" her
son arrived a few days before her death and beheld the scene I have not
since seen him. Young Joseph Clay '- is baptized by immersion & has
preached twice in Mr. Holcombe's Church I regret the loss to our
church. Col. Few '^ has taken charge of a bundle of shirts which were
sent & returned in consequence of the desertion of the City of New York
during the prevalence of the Yellow Fever. I hope you will receive them
safe.

Your Grandfather, Grandmother, Mother, Sister, and all the girls
write in requesting their affectionate rememberance, so also does
William Hunter who is along side of me & wishes to know whether you
can read all I have written.

Your affectionate Father,
Geo. Jones

My dear son. Savannah 28th January 1804

I received your two letters of the 17th and 24th ult. in due time. I

have neglected writing for sometime owing to a press of business, and an

indisposition for two or three weeks past which has not confined me, but

The Jones Family Papers 23

paralized industry. The motive which induced you to lodge & board out
of College is so laudable that I must be pleased. I have so high an opinion
of your veracity that I could not doubt its reality, but it is highly
gratifying when corroborated by the result of your past exertions, from
so respectable authority as Dr. Smith, who in a letter to me dated in
October last lately received says that "you acquitted yourself hand-
somely at the late examinations in the College." But notwithstanding I
am pleased with your success in obtaining this reputation and your
determination to study closely, I must beg you will have regard to health,
it is of vast importance to your future happiness in life, and I should
rather you would take another year than injure your health. Your ac-
count of expenses sent me, I am quite satisfied with. The badness of the
roads render conveyance by the mail at present precarious, or I should
remit you some money, but I suppose Mrs. Mints will not regard a few
weeks delay in payment to her, and therefore that you will be subject to
no inconvenience. If you should require an immediate remittance give me
as early notice as possible. Your Uncle William is in a very bad state of
health, he has been nearly three months confined to his house in
town he makes frequent inquiries after you, & regrets that he does not
know your state of health. I wish you would devote half an hour in two
or three weeks as may be convenient to write him the state of your health,
and to inquire after his. It would be consolation to him in his affliction.
Your Mother returned about eight days since from Charleston where she
had gone early in December to the wedding of Miss Gadsden, her niece,
who is married to Mr. Drayton, Attorney at Law in that city. Sally has
remained to spend the winter there the rest of the family are at home
except Edward who is at Bethesda College, now an Academy under the
direction of Mr. Mackay. They are all well & join in requesting to be
remembered to you. Your sister has lately written to you. I wish you
would devote time to write one copy or side of paper from Copperplate
Copies daily. It would soon improve your hand which would qualify you
better for writing. Your stile Isic] & composition has much improved, but
one of your letters was directed to Mr. G J Esq. which I presume
proceeded from carelessness. Remember me to Thomas & Alexander "'

I remain. Your truly affectionate
Father, Geo. Jones

Dear Noble, Savannah 21st of Feby. 1804

Your letter of the 18th of Jany. last was duly received, but the ex-
treme illness of my dear Mother at the period of its receipt, and which
has confined her more than three weeks past, has prevented me from
writing to you. I am happy to acquaint you that she is now thank God!

24 The Jones Family Papers

out of danger altho' much reduced by the severity & duration of her
indisposition.

The intelHgence of poor Juliet's death created no less surprise than
regret. Indeed it is enough to raise most serious reflections, when I recall
to rememberance the youth, and health of one which is so recently
beheld. I continue as domestic as formerly altho' I now and then meet in
company with my associates at Princeton Alfred Cuthbert and Josh.
Telfair. They are both well and propose returning to some part of the
Northward for the prosecution of their studies. Josiah is heartily tired of
Savannah, which does not afford amusement enough for him. Miss
Campbell continues at Charleston, and has, I suppose, passed her time
very agreeably. The races, theater & concerts afford inexhaustible
sources of pleasure and dissipation. Our friend Edward has gone to
school to Mr. M. Cay at Bethesda, where my brother Thomas has been
for some months past. Edward seems very well satisfied with his situation
and makes his appearance in the city only once a fortnight. Thomas has
just taken his departure from thence and bid adieu to schoolmasters &
schools. He has entered into Mr. Bolton's Counting House " and intends
applying himself assiduously to the acquirement of mercantile knowledge
until he becomes of age, which will be in about three years. I still en-
tertain the idea of returning to the Northward to study my profession,
but I have not fixed any time for my departure.

My Mother's constitution is much impaired that we shall do all in
our power to take a Northern jaunt. If so I shall probably accompany her
to Middleton [Connecticut], which I imagine will be the place of her
destination. I have lately received a letter from E. C. Thomas in which he
informs of his having been extremely ill but was then recovering &
contemplated travelling in the Spring for his health. He says Miss Susan
was then in Baltimore. If she should be returned to Princeton present my
respects to her as well as any of my acquaintances with whom you may
meet. Stoops lives here but I have not yet had an introduction to him.

I received the letters you forwarded but would rather you had kept
them until a private conveyance should have occurred as the postage by
land is very high.

Adieu.

Yours Affectionately,

Geo. Glen

My Dr. Grandson, Savannah 3 April 1804

By favor of Mr. Ebenezer Jackson I send you a profile which if you

can find out who it is intended to represent you may keep it, if not you

The Jones Family Papers 25

may do anything you please with it. I also enclose a 20 & ten dollar bills
which you will be pleased to accept as a small assistance to your finances.
Your Dr. Grandmama desires her love to you in which your Aunt Glen
has been very ill and all your Cousins, Sister & c. unite, and I am, my
Dear Grandson,

Your affectionate Grandfather
N. W. Jones

My dear son, Savannah 20th April 1804

I received your letter of the 24th ult. on the evening of the 14th
instant. Your poor Uncle William was then in town extremely ill, and on
Sunday night the 15th instant he paid that debt to nature which we must
all pay about 12 o'clock at night he expired, having it is said, retained
his senses as long as he could speak, which was within a few minutes of
his death. He died of a Pleuritic attack as I am informed, after an illness
of nine days, for altho' I was only at Newton, not seven miles from town,
where I had taken my family to enjoy the country air while I should be
employed seeing my crop planted, I was not informed of his illness till the
night before his death, I accidently heard he was ill & on coming to town
to see him on Monday morning found him a corpse. I will not believe
that any of those about him intended the neglect, but it has given me
much pain lest he should have suffered a moments uneasiness, from
supposing it proceeded from a neglect on my part, and yet when if he
should have recollected the many days & nights I freely devoted to him in
dangerous illness, I should hope he attributed my not seeing him to the
right cause. I trust he is now happy.

I enclosed you on the 7th instant two hundred dollars which I hope
you have by this time received. I must hope that knowing the importance
of health, you will avail of the vacation to take exercise. If my advice
could reach you in time, it should be that you procure a Horse & travel
on him to Connecticut & back not to exceed twenty miles daily. Such
exercise I should believe would be extremely salutary to you.

Your Grand Father has taken cold & complains much altho' he
continues to visit the sick. Your Grand Mother's health is as usual. Your
Mother is in tolerable health, and the rest of the family & connexions
[sic] are well, except your Aunt Glen who is yet very low. They all write in
requesting to be affectionately remembered to you. And I remain, my
dear son,

Your most affectionate Father,
Geo. Jones

26 The Jones Family Papers

P.S. I intend to set off today or tomorrow for Augusta, in con-
sequence of the death of Mr. Ringland who died on the 12th instant. I
hope to return in about two weeks & to find a letter from you here for
me.

G.J.

My dear son, Savannah 24 May 1 804

I wrote you a few days ago by your Cousin George, who sailed in the
Ceres having under his care his sister Mary and the two youngest children
of his sister Hunter"^ who had accompanied her mother with the rest of
the family ten days before. They intend to occupy my house at Mid-
dleton, and I hope that if your Aunt Glen should survive the voyage, she
may at least prolong life, which is of great importance to her family,
especially the young part of it. Dr. Glen" who accompanied her, intends
to leave her as soon after their arrival as possible & return home by way
of Philadelphia, so that it is probable you will soon see him. George is to
go to Litchfield [Connecticut] & attend the lectures of Judge Reeves, you
will I hope correspond with him.

Mr. Cuthbert & Josiah are to sail in less than an hour, and as both
intend to visit Princeton, I could not omit the opportunity, altho' I had
so lately written to you. Enclosed is a letter for Mr. Dana, if you have not
subscribed for the Portfolio, after perusal, seal & forward it to him if
by mail pay the postage. Remember when you leave Princeton in the
autumn to write to him & direct that the paper be thereafter sent to
Savannah again. Your mother has bad health, should it not mend, & we
find one to whom to commit the care of the girls, we may possibly yet
visit the North; or should she recover her health, & all the family con-
tinue well, it is possible I may leave this late in August to be with you at
the commencement, but I scarely know how to leave your Grand Father
and Grand Mother, as my sister is gone. It would afford me great
pleasure to be with you when you graduate, but events cannot be con-
trolled. All write in affectionate regard for you.

Your truly affectionate Father,
Geo. Jones

My Dear Grandson, Savannah 7th July 1 804

You will herewith I trust receive a small assistance to defray your
expenses. I received yours sometime since but have it not at hand just
now to refer to the date.

The Jones Family Papers 27

We are happy to understand that you are so attentive to Education &
Studies but trust you will also attend so much as they will admit to your
health.

Your dear Grandmama with your Sister & Cousin Catherine''** unite
in sincere love and respects to your Georgia acquaintance. Your very
dear Aunt is now in Connecticut, where we trust God her health may be
restored, and that she may continue a blessing to her aged Parents while
it may please God to continue them in this world, and to her large family
to whom she is so necessary. I remain my Dr. Child your affectionate Gr'
Father,

N. W. Jones

My dear son, Savannah 28th July 1 804

I received your affectionate letters of the 9th & 16th ult. a few days
since by the same mail. I am glad to find that you have benefitted by the
use of Camomile, and as you will soon have leisure for exercise, I hope
you will avail of it and that it may restore your health, I most devoutly
pray. It gives me pleasure to hear that your Cousin George will be with
you at the commencement. I had anticipated much happiness in also
being present, but alas! the uncertainty of all things in this Hfe. Your
Aunt Glen's illness made a change absolutely necessary for her, and Dr.
Glen & Mrs. Hunter being obliged to accompany her has left your aged
Grand Father & Grand Mother with none but myself near them and it
would therefore be impossible for me to leave them but for this un-
fortunate circumstance not only me, but your Mother and our family
would have had the happiness to have witnessed the close of your
collegiate studies. You cannot feel more mortified than I am at the
disappointment but experience has taught me to bear disappointments,
and you too must learn to bear them. But do not, I pray you, let it
operate to prevent your public speaking. I shall have friends present who
will tell me how you acquit yourself & the composition which you must
bring with you will speak for itself and beHeving you will labor to do
well, I anticipate much happiness from the account I hope to receive of
your performance.

I enclose herein a Philadelphia bank-note for one hundred dollars
payable to Dennis & Williams or order, & have made their endorsement
payable to you or order. If you pass it away, or send it, you must sign
your name a little below the name of Dennis & Williams on the back of
the note. I shall forward one hundred dollars more in a few days, which
two sums will enable you to pay all demands against you, & provide for
your return home, you will say what further sum you would require in
time to be forwarded. For this amount of two hundred dollars you are

28 The Jones Family Papers

indebted to your affectionate Grand Father. I said in his presence I in-
tended to remit that sum to you, for the above purpose, and he requested
that I would receive it from him. I hope you will write immediately &
acknowledge his goodness.

Mr. & Mrs. McAllister -'^ have gone to Boston, & he promised me to
be at the Commencement, so that you will I hope see some of my friends,
to compensate you for my not coming.

Your Grand Father & Grand Mother & Mother are often com-
plaining of indisposition, although they keep about. My health, thank
God, is better than for many years and the rest of our family continues
in good health. All unite in affectionate rememberance to you. I remain
very truly.

Your sincerely affectionate Father,
Geo. Jones

P.S. I would wish you to present to Dr. Smith and the Professors
any fees to which they are entitled & even to be liberal in the amount as in
proper presenting it with all possible delicacy to avoid embarrassment
or offence. Perhaps a bank note for the sum you think proper enclosed in
a blank sheet of paper for the one intended & presented by yourself on a
suitable occasion, may be a proper mode; but inquiry of gentlemen out
of college will ascertain you.

G.J.

My dear son. Savannah 1 st September 1 804

I received your letter of the 7th ult. and regret that you have
neglected writing to me for near two months, in the expectation of
hearing from me. That I have neglected to write you whom I dearly love,
as well as several of my absent relations who I highly value, as often as I
could wish is true, but it will not justify neglect on your part. It is a great
gratification to me to know that my son's diligence has been so great as
to occupy nine hours of each day in study & I readily admit it an excuse
for your not writing as often as I should wish to hear, but I should believe
that one hour in a fortnight be devoted to indulging your Father with a
short letter. I have to plead in my own behalf that I am daily employed
nearly fourteen hours in every twenty four, in business so various & often
so important as to require the greatest exertion of my mental
facilities added to which a feeble constitution & bad eyes nevertheless
I am seldom a letter in your debt.

The Jones Family Papers 29

I much regret being unable to be at the commencement if I could
have gone & known your wish in time, I should certainly have gratified
you in your sister's company. The request is an evidence of your af-
fection for her which gives me happiness. I hope when you see her, you
will be enabled to excite ambition in her sufficient to induce studious
habit.

I sincerely hope that so soon as you shall begin to take exercise you
will be relieved from the faintness which has long distressed you. I should
be glad of your taking some innocent recreation after your close
study and if the last one hundred dollars enclosed about the 25th ult.
should not prove equal to your wants, I should hope that Mr. Osborne,
late partner of Messrs. A. Jackson & Co., New York, would advance you
what you stand in need of. I sent him some time since ten barrels of Rice
to be sold on my account but I have no account of its arrival. Should any
accident happen to it, I would immediately repay him with interest &
thanks. I shall write an order at the foot which you will use if
necessary but be economical for I have lost my crop by the caterpillar.

I wish you would get a small medical book entitled "A Pocket
Conspectus of the London & Edinburgh Pharmacopias" by Robert
Graves, M.D., from the second London Edition, corrected & improved,
Philadelphia printed & sold by Jas. Humphreys at N. W. Corner of
Walnut Street and Dock Street, 1803 for your Grand Father & one for
me. If you should not go to Philadelphia, you will not doubt be able to
procure them at Mr. Caritat's or some book store in New York. Your
Cousin James ^"^ arrived yesterday afternoon, but the vessel will not sail
in less than ten days & it would be so doubtful whether I should be in
time for the commencement that I shall not attempt it. Your Grand
Father, Grand Mother, Mother, Sister & all our family & connections
will unite with me in affectionate rememberance to you and I remain,

Your truly affectionate Father,
Geo. Jones

Mr. DeRussy^'

New York Savannah 1 6 May 1 805

Sir& friend.

The present [letter] will be taken to you by Mr. Noble Jones, son of
our respectable & well-loved Chief Judge. This interesting young man is
going to spend some weeks at Princeton and afterwards he will establish
himself at New York in order to study law. He ardently wishes to learn
the French language and since he would like to learn it from a man in-

30 The Jones Family Papers

formed and able to give him a good pronunciation; his father, who
honors me with his friendship, has asked me if I could indicate to him
someone fitting in this regard, and I have told him yes, having recalled
that you devote a part of your [time] to the teaching of our language.
After the just praise which I made to Mr. Jones, of your quahfications
and of your estimable character, he seemed to wish that his son be
recommended to you, and I take the hberty of doing so through the
present; hoping that you will please accept my recommendations with the
same pleasure that I would have in doing all that would be agreeable to
you.

Receive, I pray, the assurance of my sincere sentiments of esteem
and friendship.

Petit de Villers

My Dear Sir,^^ Savannah 2 June 1 805

I received yours this afternoon of this date requesting my assistance
in the collection of circumstantial events & anecdotes of my late dear
Father. I regret exceedingly my ignorance of his early history. His great
affection for & confidence in me should have prompted the inquiry, but
his reserve & modesty prevented his detailing any material event in which
he was an actor, or at least such parts as regarded himself, and he was so
actively & constantly engaged in the duties of his profession from my
first recollection of him until the first day of his last illness, that in ad-
dition to my own avocations I had little opportunity of making inquiries
which would have afforded me information highly gratifying. I regret the
want of this information the more because of the public interest excited,
and the tribute of respect which will be paid to the memory of a parent
whom I so highly valued, by the eulogy to be deUvered by you at the
request of as respected a body as the Georgia Medical Society. ''^ All the
facts & circumstances of his life that I had from him, or have collected
from other sources, as well as all that has come within my own
knowledge will be detailed to the best of my recollection, but as I am
under the necessity of leaving this for Augusta early tomorrow morning,
the short time that will be allowed me from the preparations for my
journey will, I fear, prevent so perfect a statement as probably I might
have otherwise given. I have understood that my late Father was born in
Lambeth, a village of the County of Surry, seated on the South side of
the River Thames, opposite to Westminister in England, in which county
his ancestors were born & resided, until sometime about the month of
November 1732, when his Father, Noble Jones, who was bred to the
profession of Physic, being intimately [acquainted] with Genl.

The Jones Family Papers 31

Oglethorpe (the founder of Georgia) was prevailed upon to accompany
him hither. Dr. Noble Jones's family then consisted but of his wife & two
children, Daughter & Son, Noble Wimberly. It was his first intention to
have accompanied the Genl. without his family, but his wife objected to
being left, and having promised the Genl. to accompany him, he con-
cluded to bring his family, not however with an intention of remaining,
but after his arrival, being pleased with the country, he determined to
remain. The Genl. with a military force and about forty families arrived
here and landed on the bluff of the city on the first day of February 1733.
It appears by the public documents that George the Second, by his letters
patent bearing date on the 9th June 1732, erected Lord Percival, James
Oglethorpe, & others into a corporation under the title of the Trustees
for Establishing the Colony of Georgia in America & granted to them &
their successors, in trust for future settlers, all those lands, counties &
territories situated, lying & being in that part of So. Carolina in America,
which lies from the northern stream of a river, there commonly called
Savannah, all along the seacoast to the Southward unto the most
southern stream of another great water or river called the Altamaha &
Westward from the heads of the said rivers respectively in direct lines to
the South Seas.

From the character given me by my Father of Genl. Oglethorpe, he
must have been well calculated to conduct and promote the settlement of
a new country as a General he was a strict disciplinarian and wary, yet
active & vigilant. The inhabitants were governed by laws of the Cor-
poration brought with them, and the Genl. was the Superintendant,
professing most of the powers of provincial Governor. In his character
he displayed great talents, philanthorpy, & benevolence, and by his
example & precepts inculcated Industry, Sobriety, Economy, Morality, &
Religion. He prohibited all ardent Spirits as well from the soldiers as the
citizens, and established brew houses for the supply of Beer. When the
Army was at any time reduced to hard fare, he would partake of the same
kind, refusing better fare, and participating generally [in] all their
hardships & exposures, which attached them greatly to him.

I do not know the age of my Father on his arrival in this country, but
as he has frequently related to me very circumstantially many incidents &
events in which he appeared to be engaged as early as 1737 or 1738, I
should think he was about eight or ten years of age at the time of his
arrival. He received a plain English & Latin education, I believe, from his
Father, for I have not heard of Schools being established in the
Colony his medical education he informed me he received from his
father. He was early engaged in the MiUtary Service and after he engaged
in the practice of Medicine in the first Militia Regiment of the Colony
commanded by his Father; he was Adjutant & Third Captain. I also

32 The Jones Family Papers

understood him that he acted in the capacity of Surgeon whilst he held a
Military Commission. His early Military habits were observable to the
latest period of his life, by the uniform neatness & cleaness of his person,
and the order in which he also kept his arms & accoutrements. He always
spoke in the most affectionate & respectful terms of Genl. Oglethorpe
and I infer a reciprocity of sentiment in the Genl. by his sending his
portrait from England to my Father or Grand Father, with a favorite
Indian lad whom he took from hence to civilize, represented standing
near him with a book reading, which portrait was left in my Father's
house when the British troops took possession of Savannah on the 29th
of Deem. 1778, and I have often heard him express great regret for the
loss of it. He read much & chiefly on medical, agriculture, & political
subjects. His hours of study were generally from ten to twelve o'clock at
night, and from four to seven o'clock in the morning. His profession
alone gave him much exercise, and he exercised in the early part of his
life, generally on foot in town & on horse back to make his country visits.
He was fond of the exercise of hunting deer by hounds, and was an
excellent horseman, and uncommonly good marksman. He continued
this exercise within the last twenty years. He was uncommonly temperate
in eating & drinking. He ate sparingly of animal food well done more
of vegetables with Pepper & Salt, but little butter or grease, and avoided
all butter of the least rancidity. His politeness would induce him to eat
any thing placed before him if there were no choice, but he had a peculiar
aversion to Mutton, Crabs, and Onions & exclusive of those named, he
was so indifferent about his eating that I do not know whether or not he
had a choice of meats. He ate of Wheat bread more than any other food,
and his chief drink was Coffee or Water of Coffee he would drink
whenever it was offered & especially if he was fatigued, and always drank
of it at night & morning, with Milk added but no Sugar, and he disliked
sweeting of any thing. In the early part of his life he exercised severely, he
would take perhaps within twenty four hours a draught of ardent Spirit
much diluted, and at dinner one glass of Wine, but for the last twelve
years he took nothing but Water & Coffee. His morality through life was
strictly correct. His Father, who practiced medicine in England con-
tinued to practice in this country, and, I believe, took his Son into
business with him about the year 1740. They continued together until
about 1756, but for the last two or three years the burden of the business
fell chiefly upon Dr. Noble Wimberly Jones. As the settlements extended
he obeyed professional calls into the country even as far as Sunbury,
which is about forty miles from this place. He continued to practice
Medicine, Midwifery, and Chirugery until the first day of January 1805
when he was taken ill in consequence of exposure the five preceeding
nights, in attending several Obstetric Cases, and the morning of the ninth
of the same, unfortunately terminated his invaluable life.

The Jones Family Papers 33

He left Savannah on the 29th Decern. 1778, the day on which the
British obtained the possession, and went with his family to Charleston,
where he commenced practice in January 1779, & continued until
November or Decem. 1780; he was then taken by order of the British
Commander Lt. Col. Balfour (by a British Subaltern who about sunrise
entered the door of the house, walked upstairs, & was about to enter the
chamber door, when my Father met him and without being offered
permission to take leave of his family, & although a most affectionate
husband & Father, he was too proud to ask) was carried off under a
guard waiting below & conducted to a ship in the harbor & with many
other gentlemen who on the surrender of Charleston by the Articles of
Capitulation, were sent to St. Augustine then in the possession of the
British forces & there remained confined to the town until the latter end
of July when on a general exchange of Prisoners effected by Major
Hyrne, an officer of distinguished talents deputed by Genl. Greene,
he was released one vessel only sufficient for the conveyance of about
one half was provided for the whole number, and they were compelled to
provide another at their expense, almost without any means. He arrived
in Philadelphia about the 15th of August, and commenced practice soon
after, having scarcely any other means of supporting his family as all his
property had been taken by the British & sequestered in this State, and
most of it attached & sold by the British Governor, Wright & Lt.
Governor Jno. Graham for damages which they alleged they had
sustained from him, by his signing as Speaker of the Genl. Assembly, the
Act of the State that confiscated their property. He received great at-
tention from the Medical Gentlemen of Philadelphia, & particularly
from Dr. Rush, & soon obtained a practice sufficient to support his
family comfortably. In the course of a few months he received the ap-
pointment of a Delegate to Congress from the Legislature of Georgia, &
remained in that capacity until December 1782, when hearing of the
evacuation of Savannah by the British Troops, in July preceding having
previously advised the Legislature of his intention to return, he left
Philadelphia & returned to Savannah where having been previously
elected a Member of the Genl. Assembly (consisting of only one branch)
he was at their meeting in January 1738 chosen their Speaker. This was a
session of considerable commotion, several of the Members on a
question of importance to the Finances, seceded, a mob was collected at
night & were guilty of many irregularities. Mr. Telfair who was an active
member in the majority had his house attacked by the mob, and my
Father was in the house advising the leaders to disperse, was wounded by
a Broad Sword on the head he called upon the Governor at a late hour
of the night demanding his interference, and the mob was quieted the
next day the Seceding Members refused to come in, but were at length
brought to a sense of duty. After the adjournment of the Legislature in

34 The Jones Family Papers

February, my Father went to Charleston where my Sister was settled with
her Children. Mr. Glen being absent from that circumstance & the
solicitation of many of his former patients, [he] was induced to remain &
recommence the practice he continued there in an extensive and
lucrative practice until December 1788, & we commenced practice in co-
partnership on the first day of Jany. 1789, which continued until March
1795 when from a change in my situation I withdrew from practice, and
he continued, but for want of assistance was under the necessity of
refusing many applications. In the fires of 26th November and 6th
December 1796 all our Books of Account* Medical books, and his
Medicines were destroyed and he retired for about six weeks into the
Country, but some threat of a forming abscess in his legs coming on, I
advised his return to town, and he again attended to the practice which he
was actively engaged in until his last illness as before mentioned.

He observed the phenomena of meteorology for many years, but his
notes previously to the fire of 1776 were then destroyed as well as his
instruments so that he did not recommence until about two years after
that period. He was a member of the Episcopal Church, and, I believe, a
sincere Christian. He was among the first who joined in stating to the
Mother Country the grievances of the Colonies and I have seen an
interesting correspondence he held with Dr. [Benjamin] Franklin who
was the agent for this colony in Great Britain, which was also consumed
in 1776. He was one of the first who associated to send Delegates to a
general Congress at Philadelphia, and was either chosen one or offered
the appointment, but his Father died in Nov. 1775, aged 73 years. He was
a member of the first Convention and its President. The Provincial
Legislature through him as their Speaker had frequent altercations with
the Governor & Council. The House of Commons were in consequence
frequently dissolved, and on every new election he was returned, & again
elected their Speaker. Being in opposition to an affectionate Father was a
source of great uneasiness to him, but for his Country he at all times
sacrificed his feelings & his interest. He was acquainted with the late
Generals Washington, Green, Wayne, and most of the Military
Characters and Statesmen who held a conspicuous part in the
Revolution. He was the Speaker of the first Legislature of Georgia which
was a single Branch, during the Revolution when in the state and until he
made a temporary removal in 1783 and was a member and President of
the Convention at Louisville, which amended the Constitution im May
1795, after which he declined public employment. He was a member of
the Union Society established upwards of fifty years since, and the oldest
charitable Institution in the state, and contributed liberally to all
Religious Societies in every denomination and all other useful in-
stitutions. In common with every American citizen he esteemed and

The Jones Family Papers 35

revered Genl. Washington but he disapproved the British Treaty & was
Chairman of the Citizens of Savannah who addressed the President on
the subject. He disapproved the measures generally of the late [John
Adams] administration, but he deprecated foreign influence & party
violence believing that talents combined with virtue and moderation
would most effectually preserve our Union, Independence and Hap-
piness which he most ardently prayed for. He was naturally quick, but
early endeavored to quell his passions which he in great measure effected,
and he never bore malice. He was deliberate & cautious in forming an
opinion, but when formed he was very decided, & not to be diverted from
his purpose. His endeavors to substitute moderation for violence did
once at the commencement of the Revolution produce an insult from a
mob which he repelled with his usual firmness & dignity he made it an
invariable rule to ride in the country with arms, & being sent for by a sick
person a mob surrounded him in the market square & demanded where
he was going he answered that he was going on business, they declared
he should not leave town, and some of them attempted to seize the bridle
of his horse. He drew a pistol from his holster, cocked it and ordered
them to clear the way, and at their peril to touch the bridle put spurs to
his horse and passed through them moving on afterwards in a slow pace.
About that period an armed bandit infested the country in the vicinity of
the town, often arresting & plundering travelers he would then take a
gun in addition to his pistol & obey every call at any hour of the day or
night in the country. He regretted the surrender of Charleston & told me
he would be one to defend it to the last extremity for his country. I
believe he would have hazarded his life at any time. His benevolence &
charity were unbounded. If he could not say anything commendatory of
any one, he would avoid offering or giving an opinion. So extremely
affectionate was he that he would whilst watching over or attending upon
a sick relation, often rise from bed with much fever. To his family &
servants he was indulgent almost to a fault. He preserved economy in his
expenses, but gave liberally to his family, and to all useful institutions.
He modestly avoided naming any material action of his life that could
discover the least vanity, and for his success in his profession and for all
the good he was enabled to do, he gave to God his praise. He had
fourteen children & survived them all but myself, and with great
resignation he submitted to the Divine will. The day on which he was
taken ill was the fiftieth year of his nuptuals. It was a rule that his family
should dine with him on each anniversary, but at the preceding one he
said it must be the last, & requested me to provide the rest, if he and my
mother should be living. I accordingly did so & he promised to dine with
me, but about nine o'clock wrote me a note to say both he & my mother
were indisposed & begged to be excused, on the evening preceding his
death after executing his will he told me that the corner lot on the bay

36 The Jones Family Papers

which he had bequeathed to my son was the spot on which he with his
Father's family first encamped after landing in Savannah. He also then
said that he had left with the Rev. Mr. Robert Smith in his lifetime some
notes taken on the early establishment of this country by my Grand
Father, in consequence of Mr. Smith's intention to write the history of
Georgia he said he thought they would afford me satisfaction as to
some matters, & that I had better try to procure them from the
Representatives of Mr. Smith. He naturally was a sound sleeper, and in
the early part of his life slept six or seven hours, but the frequent in-
terruptions to sleep from professional calls, at length produced a habit of
waking up at almost every hour, for upwards of thirty years such of his
meteorological observations as are preserved will prove this fact and
for the same period he has seldom been in bed more than three or at most
four hours. His delicacy of manners were so great that he would seldom
ask refreshment, or make known a want, even to one of his children lest
he should occasion what he deemed trouble; and knowing this
disposition we endeavored to obviate any inconvenience to him by having
prepared as it should seem casually whatever we believed would be ac-
ceptable.

[George Jones]

My dear son. Savannah 6th July 1 805

I received your letter of the 25th of May, a few days before I left for
Augusta, and on the arrival of the Georgia about the same time I received
the books & eye water. Preparations for the journey prevented then an
answer. I returned last night & received your two letters of the 4th & 1 1th
of last month. The account of your safe arrival reheved that anxiety
which it would be difficult to describe, and which none but a parent
having an only son, exposed to a hazardous element in pursuit of
knowledge, which with virtue may result honorable to himself, to his
Father, & to his country, can feel. From your last two letters I derive
happiness, in the assurance of as pleasing a revolution in your sentiments
& propensities, the result of reading letters written by me so long as a
year or two ago, & your own reflections. I am much obliged to Mr.
Kollock^^ for advising & directing your studies.

If you should see Mr. McAllister, or any other friend on whom you
could rely, I would wish you to consult him, as to the manner, & amount
that should be presented to Mr. K. or whether it would be proper to
offer, or say anything to him for rendering you these eminent services.
Your notebook is formed on a good plan, and if you persevere in the
industry with which you commenced, I shall hope that by the blessing of

The Jones Family Papers 37

God your success will be equal to my most sanguine expectations. I am
glad that Mr. Alfred Cuthbert will be near you during the summer you
will doubtless in his company derive pleasure & improvement. My visit to
Augusta was retarded, first by the failure of the first planting in my Rice
field owning to the deposition of the salt at the overflowing of the fields
in the storm of September last, which rendered personal attention
necessary to direct the re-planting & previous preparations for obviating
a second failure, and secondarily a wish to be present & hear the
discourse on the life of my greatly revered and inestimable parent. It was
composed and delivered at the exchange by Dr. Grimes by appointment
of the Medical Society on the 18th of last month being their anniversary.
The Union Society (the most ancient in the State of which he had been a
member & President) by invitation and a number of citizens, of both
sexes, attended.

Imitate, my son, his temperance, chastity & every virtue & like him
you may sleep away life, with the composure of a Christian, after long
usefulness, greatly beloved & generally regretted.

I was pleased with the subject of your letter to your Sister, which she
says has answered by [illeg.] opportunity. Your Grand Mother, &
Mother, & Sister, & Martha, & Harriet desire to be affectionatley
remembered to you. May God bless & perserve you many years.

Your truly affectionate Father,
Geo. Jones

My dear son. Savannah 17 Sept. 1805

I received your two letters bearing date the 21st & 26th ult. by the
arrival of one of the mails last week. Your request to be permitted to
remain a twelvemonth longer at Princeton did somewhat surprise me,
especially as the reasons were not sufficiently explicit. That you would
benefit by that time devoted to the general studies previous to those of a
particular profession, I do not doubt; but I much doubt whether you
would have constitution able to bear it. It might therefore be better to
blend the studies, & in the appreciation of time to those of a general sort,
be governed by the state of your health. I think that this plan would aid
the memory, strengthen the judgment, & improve the un-
derstanding powers in which you deem yourself very deficient. But if
you do not engage immediately in professional studies, I should urge a
residence in one of the cities for the reason stated by Dr. Smith that you
should have objects to induce you to take exercise in the open air. And
for the study of the French language, which I am very desirous of your
acquiring, the sooner you begin the more perfect will you acquire the

38 The Jones Family Papers

pronunciation. A Mr. N. Y. Dufief of Philadelphia has written a book
entitled "Nature Displayed in her mode of teaching language to man &
c." which is highly spoken of for faciUtating a learner in the knowledge
of the French language. I wish you would purchase & peruse it. By a
residence in the city, you could contract by the month with the keeper of
a livery stable for a pleasant horse, on reasonable terms, stipulating an
hour's use very early in the morning, & late in the afternoon if you chose
and you might generally have a companion, or at any rate meet many
exercising, & have the mind amused by pleasant scenes this with a
moderate participation of the amusements of the city would enable you
to return daily to your studies with increased vigor. This opinion is
formed after some deliberation with a view as well to your welfare, as to
my happiness connected with it. I should however wish you would visit
Mr. McAllister & consult with him on the subject his judgment I think
highly of, and I feel assured from his friendship you may rely on his
candor. Communicate my opinion to him & let me know his soon. In the
mean time, if you could devote some time to composition & get the favor
of Mr. Koilock to examine it, it would be highly useful to you. You
should occasionally devote time to a review of Geometry, which you will
find useful. I recommend the study of the law to you, but requested you
would think & determine what profession you would study until you
become a master in the profession, and afterwards practice long enough
to acquire celebrity in it. Should I live to witness the event, it will afford
me very great pleasure, and if otherwise, it would lessen the pangs of
death to be assured that you would strictly comply with my request, if
God should enable you, by strengthening your mind and body. Some few
errors in orthography are noted below. Your Sister has been indisposed
for some days a dejection of mind, or lowness of spirits, occasioned by
some letters she has received giving her an account of poor Claudia
Tatnall's^' death & desiring to be remembered to her, is in great measure
the cause, connected with the influence of the season, which is sickly,
altho, not fatal. She is better today & I hope will be soon better. Martha
has been severely laid off by a fever, but is now well, I feel frequently
feverish, or debilitated, but am thank God able to attend as usual to
business. Your Grand Mama, & Mama, Sister, Cousin Bulloch,
Catherine, Sally, Martha, Harriet & Mrs. Koilock all unite in sending
their love to you. And I remain very sincerely,

Your affectionate Father,
Geo. Jones

P.S. wether pedentry judgement cronological

The Jones Family Papers 39

My dear son, Savannah 23rd. October 1 805

I received your letter dated the 7th inst. yesterday. I have been
confined with a very severe attack of fever for two weeks last past. It left
me three days ago so weak that I am scarcely able to write you, much less
to think. In advising your removal to the City of New York or
Philadelphia, I was much influenced by a regard to your health, for you
know it is my desire that you should devote as much time to the im-
provement of your mind as your health will permit; but I think your
studies ought to be directed by some gentleman capable of doing so. It is
almost impossible for one of your age to study with advantage without
such aid. If you would place yourself either under the direction of Dr.
Smith or Mr. Kollock, & get him to examine you once or twice a week, I
should be quite satisfied for you to remain at Princeton during the
Winter. My increasing prayers are that you may become a profound
Scholar & able Professional character. If you should conclude to speak
to one of those gentlemen & to remain at Princeton; I think it would be
useful to you to visit Philadelphia at stated periods & attend the lectures
on Chemistry, Botany & even Anatomy & the Institutes of Medicine
merely with a view to enlarge the mind & render your knowledge of
science general. Let me know your determination as soon as possible that
I may make you the necessary remittances. As soon as I am able to leave
the house, which I hope may be in three or four days, I will remit you
some money; but should you conclude to go to N. York & commence the
study of Law, the fee to the gentlemen in whose office you may place
yourself should be forwarded immediately after I am advised.

From the advantages you expect to derive from Mr. Kollock's in-
tention to revive the Belles-Lettres Society, I whould believe it best for
you to remain at Princeton if you can have aid of one of the gentlemen
mentioned for your further instruction. Your Grand Mother, Mother &
all the family write in affectionate rememberance to you and I remain,
very sincerely.

Your most affectionate Father,
Geo. Jones

Mr. Noble Wimberly Jones Savannah Dec. 26, 1805

Sir:

It is by the request of Geo. Jones, Esqr. that we now address you
which he is prevented doing on the present occasion by indisposition. We
enclose you our draft on Philetus Havens of New York at thirty days for
three hundred dollars. Also an introductory letter to that gentleman who

40 The Jones Family Papers

will be happy to be made acquainted with you & who will cheerfully
render you pecuniary or other services whereever you may have occasion
to require them. We are respectfully your obt. svts.

Havens & Bilbo ''

My dear son, Savannah 23d. February 1 806

This is the first letter I have ventured to write for nearly three
months, altho' I have written much within that period, in the discharge
of my official duties, but so severe & obstinate has been the in-
flammation & pain in my eyes, that I could only see through green
glasses, excluding the air by a bit of green silk above them. So much for
patriotism you may say; but by accepting the Commission I hold, I
consider myself obliged to discharge the duties of the office to the utmost
of my abilities and power. In doing this, I sacrifice my private interest
and much of my domestic happiness, but in a Republican government
every Citizen ought to make those sacrifices when they become
necessary; if there be not virtue enough to do so, the government must
soon degenerate. I hav&been favored with several letters from you which
remain unanswered; the two last bear date the 14th & 25th of last month.
I am much relieved in hearing that you had received the money to pay
Mr. Harrison ^^ and to relieve your immediate requirements. The letter
which informed me of your having entered Mr. H's office I received on
my return from Augusta on the 24th Dec. but was then sufffering ex-
treme pain from an inflammation of the forehead & eyes, which seized
me the day I left Augusta, and rendered it difficult to travel, and on my
arrival I was obliged to be confined to my bed in a dark room, & all light
& air excluded from my eyes, by a thick handkerchief bound over them
for several days, in which situation I was when I sent for Mr. Bibb, and
requested him to make the remittance which you have received. I con-
sider both your honor & mine answerable for the payment of Mr. H's
fee, with the least possible delay, and I should have paid your bill on me
for that, as I would for any other amount that may be necessary for your
maintenance, if at any time I should be prevented by sickness, or absence
from making remittances. But in general I prefer providing the funds in
New York, it would be well, however, to avoid embarrassments, to give
me notice of the amount you may stand in need of at given periods, a few
weeks before. I intend soon to make a shipment of Rice to New York, or
to sell here for bills, as I may find most advantageous, in order to an-
ticipate your wants until the next crop. Should I ship, have you any
preferences of a mercantile house in New York to whom the shipment
should be made? When you answer this question, inform me what will be

The Jones Family Papers 41

the amount you will probably require for your last payments until the 1st
December next. I shall certainly give you all the advice in my power,
agreeably to your request, for the regulation of your conduct, your
present happiness and future happiness. The whole may be summed up in
a few words. If you would be a great man and a happy man, you must be
learned and virtuous. I am greatly pleased to hear of your rapid progress
in the French language. When you acquire it I hope you will retain it by
reading the most approved French authors, and conversing with the most
learned French gentlemen and ladies you may have it in your power to
become acquainted with. Let me also advise you to acquire shorthand
writing; it will enable you to take notes of what you read, & will be useful
to you as a Speaker at the Bar, and to Law the use of Logic, as the art of
reasoning and of communicating our ideas is of more importance than
perhaps to any other practicality, and particularly in the weighing of
evidence and the investigation of the principles of truth. Time and
reflection will, I hope, improve your sensibility. Whenever you meet Mr.
or Mrs. Pendleton or any of their family make them ashamed of their ill
conduct by your politeness. The Governor^* has spent some time in
Savannah & its vicinity and left us yesterday, previous to which I in-
timated my intention to resign to enable me to leave the state for the
benefit of my health he urged me to acquit it. But I must make some
change of climate, or I believe I shall not remain long in life. My system
appears nearly exhausted. But for my Mother, Wife & Children, life
under the pain I have experienced for several months would be a burden.
Sarah has doubtless informed you of Catherine's marriage. Your Grand
Mother, & Mother, Sister, Sally, & all the Girls unite in affect,
rememberance to you and our united regards to Mr. & Mrs. McAllister.
My dear son.

Yours ever,
Geo. Jones

My dear son. Savannah 26 April 1 806

By your Cousin George who arrived here on the 20 (the preceding
day of the opening of Court in this County), I received your affectionate
letter of the 9th instant. I sincerely thank you for the eye ointment you
sent, both boxes of which are received. My eyes are much mended & I
have needed no application since my health became better. For several
weeks past I have enjoyed more health than I had for more than twelve
months preceding. I had remained in such a state of complete debility
during the winter that life would have been a burden, but for the value an
aged Mother, an affectionate Wife & Children placed upon me. For your
sakes I would do anything to preserve my life & health. Indeed my

42 The Jones Family Papers

religious principles teach me to do so, and had my invalidity continued I
should have yielded to the solicitations of my friends, and have had the
happiness of seeing you the ensuing Summer, but the present state of my
funds would have prevented me taking your Mother & family with me,
and to have left them here would have been a source of great uneasiness.
I have therefore made arrangements for taking them with me on to the
pine hills in Bulloch County, where we shall be joined by several other
families, in hopes of perserving at least that share of health that we take
with us, if we should not add to the stock. Should crops be better the
present year, you may perhaps see us the next. I pray you to be attentive
to your health, for imbecility of body begets imbecility of mind. I do not
wish you to become a wine bibber but I am certain that the time lost in
exercising the body would be gained in improvement of the mind.
Horseback exercise is essential walking, fencing & dancing will be good
auxiHaries. You need not have waited my consent to your dining with
your French teacher. Any measure recommended for your improvement
& agreeable to you will always meet my approbation. Fencing with one
unskillful is dangerous, I should therefore recommend you to practice
with none less skillful than yourself, and always with a mask to preserve
your eyes, even against your teacher, that you may become habituated to
it. I settled with Messrs. Havens & Bilbo in rent as well as for the sum of
$150 paid you by Mr. Havens as the draught in your favor for $300 so
that you are liable for ($110) say one hundred & ten dollars last men-
tioned, to be paid to you by him on the 4th instant. For that amount you
may draw on me, or pay him from the proceeds of twenty five barrels of
Rice shipped on board the Cleopatra which sailed today. The Rice is
consigned to Messrs. Leroy, Bayard & McEvers, Broadway, New York,
to whom Mr. Petit de Villers has enclosed you by the Cleopatra a letter of
introduction he did not know your address & has directed it to the care
of Mr. McAllister. Those gentlemen, Mr. Petit assures me will advance
you that sum to pay Mr. Havens, and any further amount you may
require, even before the sale of the Rice, but I should not wish you to ask
it of them, only when you find it necessary. I should have consigned the
Rice to Mr. Havens agreeably to your desire, but for some unaccountable
behavior of Mr. Bilbo to me, but I should wish you for the present to
avoid any explanations of that kind, or even mentioning the consignment
of the Rice, so as to prevent the displeasure of Mr. H. and when I have
Mr. B's conduct explained you shall be informed.

I have been much engaged all this week & shall continue engaged
during the next week in holding a Court, which will end that kind of
labor until the next fall. It affords me great pleasure to hear from you,
and the many packets engaged between this place & New York afford
expeditious conveyances. George has petitioned for admission to the Bar

The Jones Family Papers 43

& a Committee is appointed to examine him. His company will be very
agreeable to me on the circuit. Your Mother & the girls with Mrs.
Telfair & family went to spend the day at Newton, & will return this
evening. They are all well & unite in affectionate rememberances to you.
Sally is yet in Charleston. Mrs. K. has a daughter. I remain very sin-
cerely,

Your affectionate Father,
Geo. Jones

Mr. N. W. Jones,"^ Savannah 26 July 1806

New York

My dear sir:

It is some time since your very pleasant letter of last June 13 came to
me. The flattering expressions which you use in regard to me compensate
very fully for the small delay which you put me to; besides, I could not
find fault because I regard indulgence as a duty of friendship: so, from
now on, we will not count the letters which we send to each other; on my
part I will write you as often as I can, and I will count myself happy each
time that you give me news of yourself.

Your father left the Plantation of Newton on the 13th of this month
with his wife and the youngest Campbell girls in order to return to the
new Social Settlement in Bulloch County where they arrived the next
morning. He writes me, under the date of the 17th, and he sends word
that they all enjoy perfect health, that they are delighted with the place
and the climate where they live, and that they have not yet been in-
convenienced an instant by the heat, even in holding themselves exposed
to the sun; to the extent that they are obliged to use covers during the
night. After that, you should be quite at ease about the health of your
dear father.

I am pleased to think that your very amiable sister arrived well in
New York, and I congratulate you also on the pleasure that you surely
have in having her near you and in being able often to enjoy her com-
pany. This voyage was, I believe, necessary to her health, and I sincerely
wish that it may reestablish that health entirely.

I have learned with sorrow that you neglect your health in order to
leave yourself entirely to your studies: this error, if you persist in it, will
have deadly and irreparable consequences. It is very true to say that the
age the most proper for studies is that where you are; but it is not less true
that at your age exercises of the body are indispensably necessary in order
to strengthen and assure you physical constitution. You must also know

44 The Jones Family Papers

that talents and understandings are scarecely capable of achieving true
wellbeing when the health is bad.

Please pay my respects, I beg you, to your sister, as well as to Mr,
McAllister, and accept the assurances of the very sincere sentiments of
esteem and attachment of.

Your servant and friend
F. D. Petit de Villers

My dear son, Bulloch County, 16th August 1806

Your letters to me have been always delightful; but in this my
retirement peculiarly so. Circumstances explained prevented a near
converse, and I hope it may prove mutually pleasant to converse
frequently & freely in this way. Yours of the 15th & 18th ult. I have
received. The account sales disappoint me as well as yourself. It would be
better in the future to note your expense acct. on your letters, & to en-
close acct. sales without addition from the folding of it up too. I paid 75
cents instead of 50 cts. for your letter which covered it & 50 cts. for one
from Sarah without enclosures. I do not mean this in reproof; but merely
to prevent imposition of the post officer. I shall provide for your future
requirement in time, I hope; but you will advise me further on the
subject, if I should neglect. I thank you for your hint in regard to Mr.
Petit, but I hope for the sake of human nature your information may be
incorrect. In my youth I suffered much by my credulity & friendships.
The lessons were dearly bought, but perhaps may prove worth the
purchase. And whilst on this subject I pray you listen to my advice if you
should be disposed to serve a friend in truth, and pecuniary aid be asked,
if he be friend in truth, loan him money if you have it to spare; but if you
have it not, deny your name to his obligation as security & you may serve
him essentially in misfortune. The denial may lose a friend only by
profession, & such a one would be unworthy of your friendship. I sin-
cerely regret Mr. Harrison's neglect of you, but as you observed that
your situation cannot be bettered in New York, I should advise that you
avail of the first opportunity in conversing with Mr. H. & request the
favor of him to devote an hour to examine you; & if you should prove
fortunate in this, it would encourage you to go on & prove a useful hint
to him.

I do not think it necessary to your improving that you should be
employed in writing, but I pray you practice from Copperplate Copies
daily, at least an half hour to improve your hand, or you should not
expect to be employed in engrossing the business of the office. If I
believed you could study in Savannah with advantage it would afford me

The Jones Family Papers 45

great pleasure to have you with me; but our climate is inimical to the
studious, & the loose practice of our Courts to the acquirement of legal
knowledge, but under many disadvantages nevertheless, I shall hear your
reasons further on the subject with cheerfulness and if a visit next
autumn would contribute in the least degree to your health or pleasure, I
shall be happy to see you. In the progress of study you have been
doubtless advised to commit to memory the principal points of the
general doctrines in Blackstone's Commentaries, verbatim [illeg.] a
familiar acquaintance with them. I should recommend Espinasse's Nisi
Prius & the Report of Cases referred to by him these will occupy some
time, & when you have progressed thus far, you may receive further
instruction from Mr. H. & the attendings of Courts will point out to you
the [illeg.] most frequently cited, Sellon's practice will also be useful, &
ought to be read attentively. But Mr. McAllister can better advise you, &
from his friendship, would I have no doubt do so with pleasure.

The commencement of your letter of the 18th gives me pain, in
regard to your ill health; & it grieves me also that anything from me
should have distressed your mind. I mean all for your advantage. I have
been sometime since assured your affection; but I once doubted it, as I
have done your Sister's, perhaps from the same cause. You have sin-
cerely appreciated the motives that led me to an early separation from
you, & I feel secure in your affections. To the sincerity of my love for
you, & your Sister you have justly accounted for my consent for her to
visit you. You have ably advocated her cause it shall have some con-
sideration. Take care of your health; remind me I write by the op-
portunity to Sarah. Your Mother, Martha, & Harriet write in their love
to you, I remain,

Your truly affectionate Father,
Geo. Jones

My dear son, Bulloch County 20 Aug. 1 806

I received your letter of the 25th ult. on the 17th inst. However
numerous your letters, they will be always received by me with great
pleasure; and in my retirement they are peculiarly acceptable, I wrote you
on the 16th in answer to your letters bearing date the 15th & 18th ult. The
reasons opposed to your returning to Savannah to complete your studies
are there stated. The climate I consider a formidable objection in general;
but an insurmountable one to your feeble frame. In your infant state you
were annually severely attacked by disease, & the autumn previously to
my sending you to Massachusetts had nearly terminated your life. The
suceeding winter had not restored you notwithstanding all my care, & the

46 The Jones Family Papers

extreme care & great skill of your dear deceased Grand Father. In ad-
dition to the reasons urged by me, I fully concur with Mr. & Mrs.
McAllister and if he should remain in New York as I have no doubt he
will, his direction and advice in regard to your studies would be very
advantageous. He mentioned, while in Savannah, that Mr. Emmott had
left New York, but continued his connection in business with Mr.
Harrison that he had established himself in a healthful part of the
Country, & as their offices were considered only one, the students, he
supposed, would have a choice to be in either should this be the case, it
would perhaps be better for your health, & improvement to request of
Mr. Harrison the change.

You wrote that Mr. Emmott examined you with strictness soon after
you had commenced the study, & I would suppose he would continue to
do so. I would have you to consult Mr. McAllister & reflect yourself on
his plan, & if you approve, & it be feasible adopt it. But first let me know
the result of your consultation with our friend. My love for you & desire
to have you always near me, would insure my immediate acquiescence
with your request; but my judgment is so much opposed, that I cannot
sacrifice it to my feelings. I might were you with me, probably give you
some instructions, but I feel so much the want of a regular & systematic
education, that due necessity only could induce me to withold all the
advantages that our Country affords. I am not partial to New York nor
otherwise desirous of your admission to the Bar in that state, but to test
your knowledge in the Profession. And if Mr. H. should, after a polite
request, neglect to examine & instruct you, I believe it would be right to
apply for instruction elsewhere a younger man, although he may be less
celebrated, might afford you more instruction, from having more leisure.
Perhaps the summer months, whilst you remain a student, would be
advantageously employed in attending Judge Reeve's lec-
tures Litchfield is a delightful Summer residence. If you have a wish to
visit me, I shall be happy to see you in Autumn or Spring next, or at any
other time that you may prefer, but I have an objection to risking you &
your Sister in the same vessel. It may be weakness, but I think it
prudence. I should be glad to hear that you had visited the Springs, and
remained some time, particularly if the waters improve your health, but I
suppose your Sister would [illeg.] long an absence. If you should want
funds before I should make you a further remittance; you can, you
know, draw on me at sixty days, or at a shorter sight if it be necessary to
obtain the money you may require for the expenses of a month or two. I
wish you to be economical but not to deny yourself moderate pleasures,
consistent with morality. Exercise & change of air, I beheve necessary to
establish your health. My directions & advice in the event of my death,
were not owing to a depression of spirits but resulted from my

The Jones Family Papers 47

solicitude for you & your Sister. Parents owe their children the best
instructions they are capable of the distance that you are necessarily
places from me the fatality of this climate in Summer & Autumn, & my
precarious state of health, of course affords me only this manner of
offering you my best advice for your prosperity & happiness. If your
natural endowments do not rank above mediocrity, yet highly
cultivating them may place you among the first in rank for respectability
& usefulness. Industry, virtue in the history of man, you must have
observed, have generally triumphed over genius with vice, ultimately.

Remember us to Mr. & Mrs. McAlhster our best respects to Col.
Few & family. Sally writes to her Mama. The letters taken from the Post
Office & sent herewith, to be from Noble & Sarah request their Father
to remember me affectionatley to both of them. Your Mother & the Girls
join also in this request. And with my love to Sarah I remain,

Your truly affectionate Father,
Geo. Jones

Savannah, 29th Aug. 1806. After writing this letter to send here to
be forwarded, I received a letter with a request from my Mother to send
her some medicines, as symptoms which indicated Dropsy previously to
my leaving her had become more formidable. In consequence of which I
have come to see her. I fear that nothing will remove the disease, in her
advanced life. Before I left this & since my return, I urged her to ac-
company me but could not prevail. I have prepared some medicines for
her & propose to leave this early to return to Bulloch County.

I believe I have omitted hitherto to say that Mr. Bilbo & myself
settled amicably; there if you see him be at least polite to him. Your
Grand Mother & Cousin Bulloch also Sally who left her sister's to
remain with me during my stay here, writes in requesting with me to be
affecty. remembered to you & may God bless you my son,

Your Father,
Geo. Jones

Savannah 24th August 1 806

Dear Sir,*

This will be handed to you by my amicable friend Mr. Armand De
Lessert, a partner in the house of commerce of Delaroche & Co. in
Nantes, and whom I beg leave to introduce to your acquaintance, as he is
a gentleman of real worth & strongly connected in friendship with

48 The Jones Family Papers

Messrs. LeRoy, Bayard, & Mclvers; I flatter myself that my recom-
mendation will be agreeable to you.

Although the harvest has been delayed in almost all parts of
Georgia, nevertheless it promises everywhere a great abundance; the
caterpillars have, however, made an appearance which has very much
alarmed us, although they were in extremely small number; they have left
in order to reproduce, they will be able when they reappear to do little
damage to the cotton because it is extraordinarily advanced for the
season; besides, the large number of thunder storms which we have had
for some time will destroy, it is said, their eggs.

I have not received news of your dear Papa since he addressed the
last letter to me for you which I sent you by the post; but I have learned
indirectly, a few days ago, that he is enjoying good health. Your gran-
dmother is also well, in spite of her great age and her little infirmities.
The city of Savannah has been extraordinarily healhful up to now, and it
is generally presumed that there will not be many illnesses this year, God
willing!

As there arrived here recently several boats coming from New York,
and since they have not brought me any letters at all from you, I am
beginning to be uneasy about your health and that of mademoiselle, your
sister. Please to present her my best respects, and also to your worthy &
respectable friend, Mr. McAllister, and do me the favor to let me hear
from you as often as you can make it convenient.

With sincerity.

Your friend and servant,

F.D. Petit deVillers

Noble Wimberly Jones II

My dear son. Savannah 1 6 Nov. 1 806

I returned from Mcintosh on Friday afternoon the 14th & leave this
on my way to Liberty about 3 o'clock. I shall be obliged to move early
tomorrow to arrive in time to open the Court at ten o'clock which is the
hour directed by custom. But I could not forego the pleasure of hearing
Dr. Kollock's discourse of this forenoon, with which I am delighted. I
am happy to see Sarah look in good health. She says you were anxious to
come & that the cold of the North does not agree with you. I thought I
had given you sufficient sanction in one of my letters written some time
since. I should be happy to see you, & if your health continues bad, I
should advise you to come. I most sincerely wish you could study here,
with equal advantage, it would complete my happiness in this life, if you
could always be with me, but for your education I make the sacrifice.

The Jones Family Papers 49

When you were last here you complained of the interruptions & dif-
ficulties opposed to study, and the climate in the four hot months is an
insuperable bar. I thank you for the Boots received by Mr. Hall & the
Clothes & Books received by Sarah. I feel anxious to know the result of
your application to Mr. Harrison. I had an erroneous opinion of Mr.
Emmott's talents, from some expressions in your first letters, after you
had entered the office. If you leave Mr. H's office it should be to obtain
greater advantages in instruction & health. My caution against too
serious an attachment to Miss N was only for fear of an in-
terruption to your studies for I am in utter [ignorance of] the lady. The
disparity of years would have obviated my apprehensions, if I had only
known her. It would give me great happiness to see you happily united
after you shall have completed your studies, for I believe the married
state the only happy one. It is a great gratification that my dear son
should feel for the honor & reputation of his Parent. The principle of
virtue brought me into office, & I shall preserve it unimpaired. The
continued expression of the public gratitude for my services, is my best
reward. It is time to set out & I must conclude.

Your most affectionate Father,
Geo. Jones

My dear son, Louisville, [Ga.] 14 March 1807

I received your affectionate letter of the 25th Jany. yesterday, by the
kindness of your Mother, who also wrote me regarding information of
your ill health. She expresses great desire for your return, & says Dr.
Kollock advises it, & will with my approbation write to Dr. Miller, with
whom, he has the pleasure of an acquaintance, & request him as a favor
to prepare medicines accompanied by advice for your journey.

I pray you my son, to consult Dr. Miller, & others in whom you have
confidence, & adhear to his or their advice but do not delay to come
home, by the first good packet & bring all your baggage & books with
you. If you should prefer a land journey, or it should be advised by your
Physician, I should then advise you to go immediately to Philadelphia &
request the favor of your Cousin Dr. Glen to assist you to purchase two
good Horses & a top Sulkey, & to procure for you a careful servant to
travel home with you. If you should determine on this plan, it would be
best to take up, of Mr. H. Low, lately of Savannah, or Mr. Havens, or
any other person who would accept your draft at sixty days on me, five
or six hundred dollars for your equipment & journey & take on to
Philadelphia with you and take up any sum that may be necessary to
discharge your debts & provide for your comfort either by land or water.

50 The Jones Family Papers

If you should return by land, you would find great advantage, In Dr.
Glen's judg. & experience of Horses & Carriage for travehng, & should
advise short easy journeys daily, in good weather only. Present my
complts. to Mr. Harrison, if he be in the city, & say to him, that I deem a
change of climate necessary, & pray do not delay coming. In haste I am,

Your sincerely affectionate Father,
Geo. Jones

My dear Noble, Savannah 1 9th March 1 807

I received a letter from your Father yesterday enclosing me one, to
you, in which he requests me to forward, either by one of the packets, if
there be one ready to sail, or to forward it by mail. As the Lovely Lass
sails in one hour, I have embraced the opportunity of sending it in her; &
also one that Sarah has wrote you. Your Father, fearing there might have
been a long passage by contrary winds, has requested me to write you by
mail, that which ever you go first, you might be made acquainted of his
wishes; & which I make no doubt, you will embrace the first opportunity
of complying with them.

He desires me to say to you, that it is his anxious desire you would
take the first good vessel & return to Savannah, unless a land journey be
preferred by you or advised by your Physician, in that case, it would be
best to apply to Hunt in Jersey, or to travel in stage, to Philadelphia, &
Dr. Glen would aid you, in the procurement of a top Sulkey, good
Horses, & a careful Servant. You can, he should suppose, secure money
by a draft on him, or on his credit, the money to be paid, where you may
obtain it, if the lender wish it. Your Father is on the circuit, he was
tolerably well, but seemed much distressed to find by your letter in
January, you were so unwell, as also from the account Mr. McAllister
writes of your health, that it was poorly. There has been such a deluge of
rain, that it has made the roads impassable every where, & caused great
detentions in the northern mail. There have been five mails due, one
arrived last Sunday, which brought a letter from you, to your Father, &
which I have forwarded to him. If you can come by water, it will be
necessary for you, to get a Servant, as if you came by land. I hope you
will be so fortunate as to get an attentive one. I hope it will not be long
before you will receive one, or another, of our letters, & that you will not
delay any time, in embracing the first good opportunity, to relieve the
anxiety of a kind & good Father, which nothing else but your presence
will satisfy him, that your health is not so bad as was represented, hoping

The Jones Family Papers 51

by the goodness of the Almighty, it is the case, is the sincere wish of your
affectionate Mother,

Sarah Jones

P.S. Your Grand Mama has been poorly lately, she is very desirous
of seeing you Sally & the rest of the family unite in being affectionately
remembered to you.

My Dear Sir,* Nassau, New Providence

19th March 1807

Presuming that you are still resident in New York, I take up my pen
to thank you for some Savannah & Washington newspapers which were
very acceptable as they contained not only foreign, but domestic in-
telligence. Mr. Hall can give you the reading of our Bahama Gazettes. As
ladies are not in the way of hearing of opportunities for this place, I shall
esteem it a favor if you will inquire let Mrs. Hall know of any vessels
bound here and if at any time she or Mrs. McAllister should not
write you will oblige me by dropping me a few lines. It will always give
me pleasure to hear from you, and to learn that you are pleased with your
situation in New York. Pray make my best respects to Mr. Few's family
and to all our New York friends.

Should any interesting publications make their appearance in your
city I will thank you to send them to me and I will reimburse you when we
meet. What accounts have you from Georgia? How were your worthy
Father Sister, & c? 1 am yours with regard.

My Dear Sir,
Yours Very Truly,
Nathn. Hall

*Noble Wimberly Jones II

Dear Noble, 21 March 1807

He complains of imbecility of mind who wrote so humorous a
description of Mrs. Connally's change of abode. Upon my life I believe I
have a soul not naturally indisposed to virtue for I have observed in
myself violent antipathies to vicious persons preceding any sensible
proofs of their viciousness. You must remember how odious that woman
even was to me. There was in her an open impudence, a contempt for
delicacy which I have never observed in a woman not lost to shame, not
abandoned to profligacy.

52 The Jones Family Papers

But to thine own case. Bestin thyself, Noble. Sink not into a
stagnation of blood & spirits. Vary thy life. Ride, walk, use every kind of
exercise. Avoid not the softer sex but rather encourage that passion
which sets the blood in ferment, kindles the imagination, enlivens the
heart & in fire may cause a revolution in the whole man. Read poetry
which causes harmonious movements of the bodily & mental spirits. But
fix not thy thoughts intensly on any particular passage of a poet that you
may penetrate into its essence, neither labor to draw from it maxims of
wisdom. Read it because it gives you delight. Life is a journey, and it is
the custom of the assiduous to regard the road which is beneath him or to
revolve on that which is past or does he not rather, looking forward
toward his destiny, ever grown eager to accomplish a distance already
run over in thought. What conclusion do I draw from this? Why is it not
this very eagerness which you want? Well then turn your eyes on objects
before you worthy of your ambition & capable of exciting your desires.
The prospect of them will awaken your longings, these longings will
rouse into action all the energies of your soul & you will have more
reasons to complain of the unceasing turmoil than of the insipid calm of
the mind.

Have I not now written you a complete mental prescription. To how
few would 1 have deigned to afford such advice. To you I have presumed
to offer it only because I am eagerly solicitous for the flourishing con-
dition of your health & happiness. For I love you! How I love you!

But why do I speak of presumption: it is the free language of
friendship. Have you not often advised me concerning the direction of
my ambition, that cherished passion of my heart. And now oh! my
amicable cousin whom I cannot think of but images of eloquence & love
& dignity arise in my soul to refine & harmonize it. You bid me Noble not
forget them. What! forget my sweetly majestic Maria who is not present
to my mind as she composes her countenance to the calmness of dignity
when the eveness of her temper has been disturbed by the silly im-
pertinence of the ridiculous haughtiness or the rude anger of her guests.
IVlaria whose presence alone was sufficient to repress indecent levity yet
never proved a restraint on innocent gaiety. Forget my amiable gentle
Adden all love, softness & womanly meekness. When she trilled out the
songs of Burns was there not a soul in the sounds she uttered. Oh ye
shepherds say to her this nymph with grace divine glides over your plain,
is not as if some heavenly influence diffused joy & benevolence through
your souls but wither away, I check myself or for the second time in my
life I shall be guilty of the sin of poetry. To speak however in sober
seriousness & unmeasured prose in conservation with Maria & Adden
Nicholson 1 seemed to enjoy the society of a finer order of beings than
that to which we belong. When I run over this epistle of mine I find it to

The Jones Family Papers 53

be a strange & wild composition (as to the method I mean) for I stand
ready to attest my belief in whatever is said in it.

Your affectionate friend,
A [Ifred] Cuthbert

P.S. Have you heard any thing of two youths formerly of Georgia,
the one commonly known by the name of William Gumming, alias the
archbishop, the other by the name of Thomas Telfair^-' alias I have
forgotten what?

A.G.

P.S. I have my reasons for not writing earlier. I will assign in my
next letter & you will find that they amount to necessity.

A.C.

P.S. I will offer my reasons at present. About two months after my
return to Georgia I was oblig'd to take charge of the property of John &
myself. I was obliged in person to lead 60 Negroes belonging to us 43
miles from Savannah to a spot where the stroke of the axe had never
echo'd. There I was obliged several weeks to remain. Returning to town I
found a letter from you. But ere I could answer it, it became necessary
that I should return to that rude spot [I] was reducing to cultivation.
A.G.

[To Noble Wimberly Jones] Savannah 26 March 1 807

I have just this moment by the assistance of Mr. Petit procured a bill
of three hundred dollars, which your paper, in his last letter, requested
me, to endeavor to obtain, & forward to you, to enable you to come on,
as soon as you can, with convenience to yourself; as he is anxious to see
you. As the post goes this evening, I am happy to have it in my power, to
embrace the opportunity & which I hope you will receive safe. Mr. Petit
says the gentleman it is consigned to, he is sure, will pay it at sight, if you
wish it. I think you had better try to get it, as soon as you present the bill.
I received a letter yesterday from your Papa, he was tolerable well; you
will receive a letter from him, by Gapt. Burnham, who sails, in a day or
two; your Sister has wrote you, by the same opportunity; your Grand
Mama is not with the rest of the family, all unite in being affectionately
remembered to you; my best respects to Mr. McAllister & Mrs. Hall;
hoping we shall see you soon, I remain.

Your affect. Mother,
Sarah Jones

54 The Jones Family Papers

My dear son, Savannah 14 May 1807

1 received your two letters dated the 15th and 30th March last, while
I was on the Circuit, but time would not permit my writing you before. In
the first, your expressions of despondency were so strong that nothing
but the most perfect reliance in your candor & veracity could induce me
to believe that your convalescence could have been so rapid as your last
letter assures me of. It is an event for which 1 ceased not to pray, and for
which 1 am under the greatest obligations to the Supreme Being to
whom 1 trust you have offered up your most grateful acknowledgements.
1 was desirous of your coming & changing the air to the mountains of
Virginia, or to a warm climate in Europe, but if your health is reinstated
so perfectly as to enable you to study advantageously, your remaining
will meet with my entire approbation, but 1 should believe it prudent to
retire in the country in the fall months and I hope in town or country,
the benefit that has resulted from exercise on horseback will induce you
to continue it. From some former climate you considered it more
economical to own a horse, & if you should determine to do so, 1 would
recommend what 1 would do myself, nothwithstanding my ex-
perience to write to Dr. Glen & request the favor of him to procure a
good riding horse, young & well broke &when he should advise you of
it, to take seat in the stage to his residence & return on the horse, he
would be neglected, or injured by use & abuse, for there are but very few
persons who keep stables that can be relied upon. You ought not injure
your health by a severe appHcation of study, rather take more time. I
want you to be a lawyer & a gentleman, not a pettifogger. Invigorate the
Body by exercise, and an invigorated mind will almost naturally follow.
Dancing, and fencing are accomplishments, & with shooting game, when
neither of them are used to a point of excess, they are useful exercises.
When you shall have finished the review of Blackstone & reading of
Tidd's practice, in which you were last engaged, if you should not have
the advantage of Mr. Harrison's advice, perhaps Mr. McAllister may
favor you with his opinion; but I presume you will soon find an attentive
reading of Espinasse's Nisi Prius, & the cases referred to in that book,
from the Reporters an useful employment.

An absence of three months from my family was very unpleasant to
me who love them, and domestic life; but the grateful acknowledgements
made to me, by all the Grand Juries and the gentlemen of the Bar in
written addresses, added to the general approbation of all my fellow
Citizens, impose an obligation so powerful upon me that I know not how
to retire from Public Service, altho' I fear my talents & services are
greatly overrated. It might savor too much of vanity to repeat these
marks of the pubHc favor, but it is to my beloved Son whom I write.

The depravity of things in New York is much deprecated. May God
avert us and the United States from this growing evil.

The Jones Family Papers 55

Your Grand Mother continues aihng. I know not how to leave her
the ensuing Summer, altho' I am preparing to retire to Bulloch County
again.

Thomas Tatnall^' is very ill, & your Mother much fatiqued by the
watching & care of him; my eyes are also greatly agitated today the rest
of our family are well, [they] remit you their most affectionate regard.
God bless & preserve you many years my Son,

Yours ever,
Geo. Jones

P.S. I have answered Mr. Jackson that I should be content to take
l/3d. or l/4th part of the purchase money that may be obtained for my
house in Middleton, or even to give twelve months credit for the whole to
a person he may consider responsible.

My dear son. Savannah 25th June 1 807

I received your affectionate letter dated the 26th ult. only a few days
since. I am glad that you use the tepid bath, that it proves efficacious. It
will not supersede the necessity of regular exercise daily on horseback
and on foot in the morning early, and in the cool of the evening. These
will strengthen your body, and mind, and enable you to study with much
advantage. I had a severe conflict between affection and duty before I
determined to send you at so great distance, and at so early a period from
me and I do not regret that reason prevailed. You had previously
suffered so many and such severe attacks of disease as to render it almost
certain that I must part with you forever, unless I pursued this cour-
se and I deemed it all important with hfe. It is very consolatory to me to
have obtained these great objects, and preserved the affection of an only
son. If it should please God to preserve my life so long as to see my two
dear surviving children settled happily in life, the sum of my earthly
happiness will be complete.

But God's will must be done and I hope we shall cheerfully submit
to his Decrees. Your Sister was attacked on the night of the 15th with
fever which remains obstinate, altho' of the intermittent form. She had a
severe paroxym of fever last night has an intermission this morning,
but is much reduced. I shall endeaveor to move her to Bulloch County, as
soon as I think her health will permit. She requests me to remember her
affectionately to you.

I am glad that you have completed your study of the French
language, because it will lighten your studious labors, and facilitate your
study of law. I should like you to visit us in November, and if it were

56 The Jones Family Papers

thought advisable for your health, by Dr. Miller, it might be well to
request of Mr. Harrison his sanction to your remaining here during the
Winter and his advice in the course of reading. It is a politeness due to
him, and I should wish you be by him considered qualified before you
engaged in the practice of the Law. It would be honorable to you and
ensure your success. For this purpose you should return in the Spring of
next year, & remain with him until the following Winter when, if your
health permitted, I should believe you to be qualified. In receiving your
account of expenses I regret only one charge "Bark" I pray God you
may not need much of that article for the ensuing six months.

You asked me to explain the distinctions between Republican and
Federalist. The distinction is perhaps of less importance than for party
purposes it has made. I do not know that I could explain it so well
however as to refer you to the history of the administration of Mr.
Adams, and that of Mr. Jefferson. In these you will perceive first the
funding system or consoHdation of the National War Debt, 2d. a
standing army, 3d. an extensive navy, 4th great energetic power in the
Executive of the United States was the favorite system of the Federalists.
To this system the Republicans were opposed, as dangerous to the in-
dependence of the state governments, and subervision to those pure
Republican principles which associated them at the Declaration of
Independence. These are merely the outlines of distinction between the
Federalists and Republicans. It would exceed the limit of a letter to
reason in support of the opinions of the one, or in opposition to those of
the other.

My late revered Father hated monarchy, and tyranny in all form-
s he taught me to love my Country and that rational freedom in the
form of a Republican government, was the surest means of becoming
great & happy as a nation, and as a people. I believe that most of Mr.
Jefferson's measures are calculated to obtain & secure this great end. I
have charity to believe that very many of the Federalists are as anxious to
preserve this form of government as myself, but I must believe that their
system would have defeated it. Your own reflections will illustrate the
subject, I hope satisfactorily to your mind but it will afford me pleasure
at all times to explain with what little ability I possess, my principles &
motives for all my conduct in life to one whom I so dearly love.

Mrs. McQueen who is very low in health, consented last night, by
my advice, & the solicitations of her friends, to go to New York in the
first good Packet, in which she can become accommodated. She solicits
me to send your Sister but I know not yet whether she will be able to
undertake the voyage. You have the united affection of all here. And I
am,

Your truly affectionate Father,
Geo. Jones

The Jones Family Papers 57

Social Circle, Bulloch County,
My dear son, 8th Aug. 1 807

Your two affectionate letters dated the 7th & 15th ult. have been
duly forwarded from Savannah and are now before me. I always derive
great pleasure in receiving and reading your letters, but retired from the
busy scenes of life in the enjoyment of domestic tranquiHty& happiness;
your letters assist to fill up the void your absence occasions, and afford
us peculiar delight. I am glad you accompanied Mrs. Grimes as well
because you performed a duty, by protecting a female relation, and
because it afforded you an opportunity of seeing your amiable Cousin,
Mr. Hunter, who I have long esteemed the amiable & virtuous woman
you describe her. From accounts subsequent to your letter I fear your
prediction is verified, and that our amiable relation is now bewailing the
loss of a beloved child but she is, I believe, truly a Christian, and will
cheerfully submit to the Divine Will. Having never intentioned to in-
fluence your political more than your religious opinions, otherwise than
by urging faith in Christ as necessary to your eternal happiness, and
patriotism to ensure your temporal enjoyment I cannot conceal from
you the great pleasure I derive in the voluntary declarations of having
adopted principles in politics according with mine & with the principles
of your late, venerable & virtuous Grand Father.

Your religious principles I am happy to believe, have preserved you
thus far, in a virtuous course; and I sincerely pray to God to strengthen
your faith and that you may become eminently useful in this life, and
completely happy in the future state.

The insult and injury we have recently experienced from British
nations is unparalleled. But painful as is the event, it may be productive
of some useful consequences. All party feuds and local divisions will be
forgotten, & we shall be blended together as one people, and united in
one exertion. We must have ample & honorable retribution for the
outrage or we might have war. Our government will decide, and I feel
confident that it will take care of our honor, and our rights.^'

Whilst I am on the subject of politics, I request you will purchase, if
it be had in New York, a small volume entitled "Reflections on the Rise
& Fall of the Ancient Republics Adapted to the Present State of Great
Britain," by Edwin W. Montagu, Jun. Philadelphia, printed and
published by C. P. Wayne, 1806. Read it with attention over again &
again. It is extremely useful to those who read the Ancients and a useful
book in the library bring it with you. And for your professional studies,
I have to recommend "The Study and Practice of the Law" by a
"Member of Lincoln's Inn" (said to be the celebrated Mcintosh) in one
vol. and "Lectures on the Constitution & Laws of England: With a
Commentary on the Magna Charta, & illustrations on many of the

58 The Jones Family Papers

English Studies" by the late Francis S. Sullivan, L.L.D., to which
authorities are added & a discourse prefixed concerning the laws &
government of England by Gilbert Stuart, L.L.D. in two vols. Both these
works are pubhshed in Portland, Massachusetts by T. B. Wait & Co. I
give their titles at length by which alone you will perceive their im-
portance to the Student in Law. If you meet with these for sale, it would
be well to purchase them & bring them, if in the fall it should be safe to
come by water. Your Sister's health appears to be improving, and I hope
she will return to Savannah in good health & spirits as on her return from
New York. Your Mother, Sister, Martha & Harriet unite in love to you. I
am,

Your truly affectionate Father,
Geo. Jones

My dear Brother, Social Circle, Aug. 1807

Two such affectionate letters of yours of the 24th and 29th of July
would have afforded me with infinite delight, in any situation, but they
were rendered doubly acceptable by being received among the dreary
pines of Bulloch. The tender solicitude which fill your letters (about my
health) are truly grateful to your affectionate Sister and I regret very
much it was out of my power to gratify your ardent wish of seeing me. I
received a very great shock in hearing of Mr. Nathan Hall's death. It
was announced to me in such an abrupt manner that I could not for some
time after, enter into conversation, I was drinking tea with Mrs. Ancheux
at the time, when she mentioned having seen the accounts of it in a
Charleston paper which we ourselves had, but I suppose it must have
escaped our notice, for not even my father had observed it. I feel truly
sorry for his unfortunate widow, he was as far as I believe very generally
beloved among his friends and acquaintances, who were numerous, he
was very sincerely esteemed by me. I feel anxious for Mrs. Mc's health, I
fear it will, though a long dreaded event, prove a severe stroke to her
when her Sister shall exhange this for a future life, we are too apt to feed
ourselves with false hopes until the last scene is closed then the fatal
truth rushes upon us at once and we are forced to believe what we have
all along endeavored to drive from our thoughts by the receipt of a
letter from my Grand Mother we were informed of the death of Peggy
Hunter!^ She got the intelligence by a letter received from Mrs. Grimes in
which she also mentioned her own indisposition, being attacked by the
same complaint which poor little Peggy died of, and that Mrs. Hunter
was very much afflicted with her loss, which I do not wonder at. I
thought I had mentioned in my last two letters of the receipt of the ar-

The Jones Family Papers 59

tides which you sent me by Rufus. I am indeed greatly indebted to my
dear Brother for his attention to me and fear I will never be enabled to
make any return for so much kindness. Should it be quite convenient to
you about the time you expect to sail from New York, I will thank you to
procure for me the Poems of Goldsmith. I have read his Deserted Village
which I admire very much, he is a favorite author of Frances Fews.
Appropos of her, she has promised me some extracts from Milton's
Paradise Lost. I must commission you to apply to her for them when you
expect to leave N. Y. Owing to the quantity of baggage which had to
come up, I was unable to bring any of my French books which will cause
me to lose what little I had acquired by studying in Savannah. I am sorry
to hear of Mrs. KoUock's indisposition but hope she will mend in her
health when she returns to Savannah, with which I believe she was
[illeg.] rather its inhabitants, I feel anxious for them and hope they
will not make it too late after they set out on their journey, for I have
heard they intend coming on by land.

To the tender care of an affectionate Father I am indebted for my
speedy recovery and am now as well as in the latter part of the Winter.
You my dear Brother who were so solicitous for my visiting the North,
might think an invitation given so long since as the last Summer suf-
ficient to have enabled me to accept them this, but I who view the present
case in a different light could not reconcile to make so free, Mr.
McAllister hinted as much as a wish that I would go this season and the
last he was very anxious for it, which was another motive with me for
declining my visit. However, I would have surmounted every one of these
obstacles to have seen my beloved Brother, but that of leaving my Father
I could not reconcile. To Mrs. McAllister make my most affectionate
rememberances and return her many thanks for her kind invitation. My
curiosity is strongly excited to know the name of your little Yankee,
cannot you venture to trust me with her name? I am sorry you do not
admire Miss G as she is a little of a favorite of mine. Adieu my dear
Brother, I cannot indulge my desire of writing to you as often as I wish,
as opportunities are rare.

[Sarah G. Jones]

My dear Father, Harvard University 27th Nov. 1 807

I received your affectionate favor of the 24th Sept. some little time
since, together with the enclosed Bank note of $100 for which I am much
obliged to you, and should have answered it sooner, but understanding
that Mr. Whitney had written you without having received an answer, I
concluded your stay in Savh. was protracted, longer than you an-
ticipated.

60 The Jones Family Papers

Agreeable to your request, I will in a few days render you an account
of money, which from necessity I have received of Mr. Whitney since my
last letter, with your remittance inclusively; but I should be extremely
sorry if the tenour of my expenses have or should not meet with your
approbation as I have endeavored by placing economy as my guide,
always to keep within the bounds of moderation, guarding as much as
possible against the many alluring baits of dissipation, which are thrown
out to ensanre the keen appitites of youth.

The last three months, since commencement, from the variety of our
studies, occasioned by the introduction of two courses of lectures, one in
anatomy under the direction of Dr. Warren, and the other in Chymistry
by Dr. Dexter, together with the studies of Burlamaqui on Natural &
Politic Law: I have found too the choicest and probably the most
agreeable moments of my life. From an attendance of the Anatomical
Course, I have now had an opportunity of becoming partially acquainted
with, or at least had the satisfaction of viewing the most complicated
organization of nature's works, in the formation of man, and as it is
from a cursory view of the productions of her hand, we feel disposed to
ascribe to their Author, something preturnatural. So from an
examination of this intricate machine, language falters in delineating his
perfection.

While attending the course of Lectures on Chemistry, I was ex-
tremely sorry and most disappointed at finding we labored under so great
disadvantages, as attended the inexperience of our Professor, and
particularly as the Lectures are not allowed to interfere with our private
recitations, so that, having but little time to examine authors on those
subjects, we feel ourselves entirely dependent on our Instructors for any
information acquired.

As our vacation commences in about three weeks, if it would be
agreeable to you, I should like to pay a visit to Middleton with Mrs.
Becher who is desirous that I should accompany her, and provided you
approve of my request. I will thank you to remit me thirty-six dollars to
discharge, in part. My Shoemaker's debt, and sum as you will deem
sufficient to defray the expenses of my jaunt.

I suppose ere this you have at least had an opportunity of seeing our
Professor of Rhetoric & Oratory, Mr. G. Adams, and I have not doubt,
from the partial acquaintance we have had with him, he will prove one of
the most agreeable & honorable associates you will meet with in
Congress; as he is not only much esteemed, but highly respected in the
first circles of Boston.

The Jones Family Papers 61

Do write me soon, as I shall wish to make some little preparation in
case I go on to Middleton, and Mrs. Belcher is anxious to leave this about
the 15th or 16th of next month.

I remain your affect. Son,
E. Campbell

My dear Father, Harvard University 1 1 th Jan. 1 808

Agreeably to your directions I wrote you while at Washington,
acknowledging the receipt of $100 remitted me from Savannah at the
same time requesting permission to accompany Mrs. Belcher on a visit to
Middleton, but not receiving an answer before she was ready to proceed
on the proposed excursion, and aware of no objection indulged on your
part, I was therefore induce to make the attempt, and after an agreeable
jaunt I arrived here on Tuesday last, with the anticipated satisfaction of
amusing myself the remaining five weeks of my vacation with the use of
our Library. Previous to our excursion to Middleton, while awaiting
your answer, it was my intention to have rendered you a statement of
money received from Mr. Whitney since my last representation of ex-
penditures, but having understood that you were then about leaving
Washington, I concluded to defer writing until my return, when I will
now embrace the opportunity of giving you a statement, with the $100
inclusively, which, with the several accounts heretofore represented, I
flatter myself will prove quite satisfactory.

Received of Mr. Whitney at sundry dates: $150 and of my Father:
$100= $250.

Paid for washing $27.00. Bought stockings $8.50 $35.50

Books $3.00. Hat $7.50. Gloves $1 .50 $12.00

Excursion to Salem & Newberry port last summer $17,75

Pocket book $2.25. Passage in stage to Boston $2.50

Soap 12'/2 cents $4,871/2

Paper & Quills $2.25. Cutting hair 2 1/2 cents. Blacking 50 -$3,371/2
Paid my Quarter bill $49.32. Hire of Horse & Chaise

$14.50 $64.82

Paid for board at sundry times (vacations included $51.55

Bringing up wood $2.50. Paid for waistcoat $5.50 $8.00

Assortment of Porcellian Society $7.92. Letters $2.25 $10.17

Paid for a counterpane $4.80 $4.80

Candles $5.50. Wine & Porter $14.50 $20.00

1 pr. sheets $6.75. Wine glasses & c. $2.38 $9.13

62 The Jones Family Papers

1 pen knife $1.50. Sundries for eating $3.25 $4.75

For repairing watch $1 .75. Ink 25 cents $2.00

Subscription to classmate $3.00 $3.00

As two of my Quarter bills are required to be paid at the end of the
vacation amounting I presume to about $100, and I am in arrears to my
Shoemaker about $60 not having discharged my bill for Boots & Shoes
for nearly two years, which together with one or two other small bills
unpaid, will amount to about $200, should it be convenient to remit that
sum, you will oblige me.

I received a letter from my Mother the 4th ult. and was happy to
hear that my friends were all tolerably well, she wrote me that in con-
sequence of the delicate health of my Grand Mother, she was ap-
prehensive you would be prevented visiting the Northward next Summer,
however, exclusive of the gratification of seeing you, which a rein-
statement of her health might effect, I hope her indisposition may be of
short duration, and that she may again be restored to perfect health.
Remember me affectionately to my Mother, Dr. Kollock, Sisters & other
relations. Do write me soon.

I remain your affect. Son,
E. Campbell

My dear son*

Savannah 2d, February 1808

It gives me great concern that you went away without the Chet-
tenham Salt. Something diverted my attention when you asked for it, and
it did not occur again to me until several hours after you were gone. The
weather proving very unfavorable, may I fear, have increased your in-
disposition, and you may have suffered for want of some remedy. If you
have not recovered, it would be prudent to consult some medical gen-
tleman, or take Salts in the day time, and ten or twelve drops of
Laudanum at night repeating when necessary and bathe your feet at
night in warm water.

I shall at the request of Mr. McAllister enclose his letter to you
which is, he says, to request your attention to some business for him.
You will, no doubt, if your health permits, attend to it.

I am in a state of progressive convalescence but the confusedness
of head continues, altho' not quite as great as when you left me. The bad
weather has prevented my intended ride to Screven County. It is probable
I may go tomorrow or the next day. Altho' I feel sensibly the loss of you
all who are very dear to me and the vivacity of Sally particularly, as my
head is so uncivil as to prevent my eyes from business, instruction, or

The Jones Family Papers 63

amusement for which they were intended, but have been never very faith-
ful yet if your Mother & yourself improve your health, I shall be
rewarded for the temporary sacrifice and I sincerely hope that Sally will
by a change of air & scene which she may have the unlimited enjoyment
of, return by & by with her cough overcome & in perfect health. A
change so favorable would give me much happiness. We have accounts
of the arrival in the City of Washington of Mr. Rose,'' and perhaps may
soon hear whether his embassy shall result in [illeg.] war. God bless
you Sarah & Harriet join with me in requesting to be affectionately
remembered to your Mother & Sally & a kiss for Miller. ^^

I am. Your most affectionate

Father,

Geo. Jones

P.S. I wrote to your Mother on Saturday last.

*Edward Campbell

My dear Father, Harvard University 26 March 1 808

With much anxiety have I attended the arrivals of the mails for some
time past & noted the return of vessels from the Southward without the
gratification of a line from any of my friends, which rendered my
situation not a little unpleasant.

From the revolutionary & disorganizing disposition of many of the
Students since the commencement of the term, I was apprehensive
another rebellion was concerted, in celebration of the anniversary of
anarchy & confusion which at this time last year, like an electric shock so
sensibly affected the system of our Alma Mater. From the private ad-
monition, through the different grades of suspension, degredation &
restriction, to the more humiliating censure of a public expulsion, the
steps of the government have been more than once traced, in the short
interval of only five weeks.

Among the fair candidates for such distinction the President's son
was favored with a suspension of three months. To avoid running the
gauntlet at so critical a period, & to steer clear of so many impending
difficulties, which on every side beset us; I assure you required the most
scrutinizing observance of good discipline under the wise direction of any
experienced pilot, to moor us safely in the haven of safety.

I wrote you some time in January last, rendering a statement of
expenditures, at the same time requesting, if convenient, that you would
remit me some money for the payment of some bills which I was
solicitous of discharging; but finding my creditors very importunate in

64 The Jones Family Papers

their demands & my Quarter bills at College having become due, I was
necessitated to draw on Mr. Whitney for an amount, which in now
accounting for, I hope will meet with your approbation.

Received of Mr. Whitney at sundry times $225

Paid my Quarter bills $92.93

Excursion to Middleton last vacation $45.75

Bought Stockings $10.00

1 pr. Gloves $1 .25

1 Hat $7.50

Visiting the Theater in vacation $5.32

Letters $2.25

Paid for Boots & Shoes $35.50

Books $7.50

Passage to Boston $2.25

Paid for bringing up wood $3.75

Sundries for eating $1 .50

Paid theme-bearer $1,50

Money in hand $8.00

$225.00

You will not be a little surprised when I inform you that our friend
Mr. Belcher, having met with some severe losses in consequence of the
failure of a house in Portland in which he was particularly concerned, as
likewise under the influence of the Embargo," having experienced a very
unhappy disappointment in the shipment of some cotton which was
disposed of to a very great disadvantage in Liverpool, he has been so
much oppressed that on Friday week his failure was currently announced
for the sum of forty thousand dollars, to which amount Mr. Wm.
Parsons, a merchant in Boston, has endorsed for him, having previously
secured the remainder of Mr. B's. property to prevent any seizure. This
truly unfortunate occurrence, I am very sorry to say, is attended with its
whole train of dismal calamities, as from extreme depression of spirits he
is now reduced so low that I am very apprehensive in a few weeks his
death will be the unhappy result.

Since writing the above I have been favored with two letters, one
from Mr. KoUock & the other from Martha & likewise a bundle of shirts.
I am sorry to hear you have been so much of an invalid, but I hope ere
this your health is again perfectly established. Mr. Whitney left this a few
days since for the Southward, with an intention I believe of visiting

The Jones Family Papers 65

Savannah. Remember me affectionately to my Mother & other
Relations. Do write me soon. Adieu.

I remain your affect. Son,
E. Campbell

[Citizens resolutions on neutral rights and Spanish spoliations]^**

The Citizens of Savannah in public meeting assembled, feeling alive
to the reiterated insults and unparalled injuries which have been heaped
upon our government and its citizens, by both Great Belligerents of
Europe, but which a love of peace, and an abhorrence of war, have
heretofore induced our beloved Country, to submit to, in vain hope, that
those nations would return to an observance of such fundamental
principles of national and natural Law, as ought ever to obtain between
Civilized Countries; and knowing that our government has been unjustly
and artfully defeated by those belligerents in the pacific and honorable
attempts which it has repeatedly made to have its multiplied wrongs
redressed are desirous of expressing to the constitutional Represen-
tatives of the Republic their solemn and deliberate determination to unite
in all such measures as may be necessary in support of the honor, rights,
and sovereignty of the nation.

Therefore Resolved, that the nation has abundant cause of war
against both belligerents. But it is demanded against Great Britain by the
present crisis to the end, that we may transmit unimpaired to posterity
those rights, and that independence achieved by the efforts of the
revolution and unless our injuries are immediately redressed by France
(which are now the subject of negotiations) the scale of injustice is equal,
and we recommend hostiUties against her also.

Resolved, that the virtuous intentions and pacific temper of the
General Administration, having led to further and additional acts of
outrage and perfidy; forbearance, if longer continued, would prostrate
the dignity of the Government, and render contemptible this the only free
nation upon earth. This meeting therefore highly approves the defensive
attitude which has been adopted by our government, and will at the
hazard of their lives and fortunes cheerfully support it in such measures
as are or may be adopted for the defense of these United States, their
territories, citizens, and flag.

Resolved, that it is the opinion of this meeting, it would be wise, and
prudent if the government of the United States, from the present
disorganized state of East Florida to hold possession of that province,
and by the aid of a competent force to obtain its early surrender, not only
as a measure of precaution against foreign occupancy, and for the still
more important consideration, because the safety of our southern

66 The Jones Family Papers

frontier on an absolute dominion by the United States over that province
to be held subject to ulterior negotiation.

And whereas we have an extensive and exposed seacoast, with a
southern and western frontier equally exposed: Resolved, that our
Representatives in both Houses of Congress be requested to apply to the
General Government for adequate naval and military force to aid in the
protection of our cities, harbors, seaboard, and frontier generally.

Resolved, that the erection of works at Fort Wayne, adjoining
Savannah, by the General Government, on the ground lately purchased
by them, are highly and immediately necessary for the safety of the
citizens and their famihes, and that our Senators and Representatives be
requested earnestly to represent the same to the Executive of the United
States.

Resolved, that these resolutions be published, and that copies be
transmitted by the Chairman to the President of the United States, and
our delegation in Congress.

By the Committee,
Geo. Jones, Chairman

My dear son, London? August 1810

I wrote you from Gottenburg by way of New York. I was then
undetermined whether to travel in Sweden, or to come at once to
England. A severe cold having occasioned a recurrence of pain in the
head, & fever, made me conclude upon the latter course accordingly on
the 20th ult. I left Gottenburg in a British Packet, & arrived in Harwich
on the 1st instant, after a boisterous passage of eleven days, nine of
which I suffered much from a severe headache, cough & fever. Since then
I have been convalescent, & free from pain except the day I came from
Harwich, having travelled 72 miles in eleven hours. I had a severe
headache which was relieved by a serene night's rest. The procurement of
Passports to travel, and permission to reside in London is attended with
much trouble.

Mr. C. Bolton had wrote by the Packet which sailed several days
before me, requesting his correspondents to have a Passport at Harwich
for me. None was there, but there is a daily mail. I wrote to them, & to
Mr. Nicholls they both applied & answered that the principal was
absent from the City, but that he was expected that evening & that
Passports should be sent on the third day they were received at the
Alien Office in Harwich, when my baggage detained at the Custom house
was delivered to me after a strict search, & my Passport directed me to
proceed direct to the Alien Office, Crown Street, Westminister.

The Jones Family Papers 67

I left Harwich in a Stage Coach, at 6 o'clock on Saturday morning,
and arrived here at 5 P.M. Yesterday, accompanied by Mr. Nicholls I
waited upon the American Consul, who gave me a letter to the Alien
Office requesting permission to visit the watering places. Upon
presenting my Passport from Harwich, a half sheet of printed questions
were presented, which I had to answer & subscribe in writing. I was then
informed that the Consul's request was only of consequence, as regarded
the residence of Captains, Crews, & Supercargoes but that gentlemen
must obtain a note from the American Minister requesting these favors. I
was therefore necessitated to wait upon Mr. Pinckney^'* who received me
politely & favored me immediately with a note to Mr. Reeves, the
principal in the Alien Office, which I left out at the office, and am
promised the permits tomorrow,

I should advise any of my friends who visit any part of Europe come
prepared with a letter from the Secretary of State to the Minister
Resident, it would avoid vexation & trouble. I shall write today to Mr.
Alex. Mein'*"of Liverpool to forward any letters he may have received
from America for me, and I hope he may be enabled to gratify me. I am
very anxious to hear from you all. Mr. Davison of the house of Davison
& Simms has arrived this morning from Liverpool he says . . . saw Mr.
Mackay there & all his family that ... he intends to return to Georgia
in Capt. Stoke's ship, when it will sail about the tenth of the next month.
I have not yet received any medical advice, but the voyage & change of
air have produced so slight a change that I am almost inclined to go at
once to Liverpool & prepare to return in September. Mr. Davison advises
me to consult a physician & to remain a Winter in England. I do not
think that I shall persuade myself to remain from you all so long.

But at any rate, I must beg you to provide the clothing & shoes for
the Negroes in time also the cotton bagging & what may be necessary
for the plantations. Whatever may be necessary to pay the Bank, I must
also beg you will do. Pray render all the service in your power to your
Grand Mother, remember me most affectionately to her, to Sally & all
my children and kiss my Grand children for me. My prayers are
constantly offered to the Supreme Being for the health & prosperity of
you all. With utmost sincerity I remain.

Your most affectionate Father,
Geo. Jones

68 The Jones Family Papers

NOTES

1 . The following seven letters are copies of now non-extant originals (excluding that of

July 24, 1760) written by Noble Jones to his son, Noble Wimberly Jones, during the
French and Indian War. The younger Jones was then stationed with a small militia
garrison at Fort St. John located in St. John's Parish to the south of Savannah in what
is today Liberty County.

2. Colonel Archibald Montgomery was a British army officer who commanded two

regiments on the Carolina frontier, the 77th Royal Scots and his own Highlanders.
Edward McCrady, The History of South Carolina Under the Royal Governors, 1719-
1776 (New York: Macmillan, 1899), p. 342.

3. Major General Jeffery Amherst was commander of all British troops in North America

after 1758.

4. Located on the Little Tennessee River near the mouth of the Tellico River in the present

state of Tennessee, Fort Loudoun (as it was more commonly spelled) had been con-
structed in 1757 by J.G.W. DeBrahm to block possible French expansion and to
provide a British presence among the Over Hill Cherokees. Mack Prichard, "Ten-
nessee Prehistory," Tennessee Valley Historical Review, II (Summer, 1972), 49-50.

5. Fort Prince George was situated on the Keowee River on the South Carolina frontier. It

was authorized by the Crown in 1748 shortly after King George's War and was con-
structed in 1753. M. Eugene Sirmans, Colonial South Carolina (Chapel Hill:
University of North Carolina Press, 1966), pp. 175, 189.

6. There was relative peace along the Georgia-Carolina frontier until 1759, when several

younger leaders of the normally friendly Cherokees, influenced by French agents,
turned against the English colonists. The older chiefs then opened communications
with the British civil authorities in Savannah and Charleston, and a peace settlement
was eventually arranged, but not until considerable loss of life on both sides.
McCrady, History of South Carolina, pp. 321-352.

7. Mrs. Nicholas Rigby was the former Sarah Milledge, an original Savannah settler.

8. Rev. Bartholomew Zouberbuhler was minister of Christ Church in Savannah.

9. Captain James Edward Powell commanded the ranger troop at Fort St. John. He was

also a member of the Governor's Council of the Georgia colony.

10. Dr. Lewis Johnson [Johnston] was a member of the Commons House representing
Savannah.

11. Alexander Wylly, a member of the Commons House representing St. George's parish
later became its Speaker during the Stamp Act crisis and was an early patriot leader.

12. Gray Elliott was Speaker of the Commons House.

13. Henry Yonge represented Skidaway, Wilmington, and Green Islands in the Commons
House. He was also one of the Surveyors of the Province of Georgia.

14. Captain George DeVeaux, a member of the prominent Charleston DeVeaux family,
was a militia officer. He failed to gain an assembly seat.

1 5 . Joseph Ottolenghe was elected to represent Savannah in the Commons House.

16. Joseph Gibbons represented Christ Church parish in the Commons House.

17. Sister of the recipient.

18. Fort Argyle had been founded a few months after Savannah by Oglethorpe on the
Greater Ogeechee River at a ford customarily used by the Indians for raids into the
Carolina country. It was the second settlement of whites in the colony. Lawton B.
Evans, A History of Georgia (New York: American Book Company, 1898), p. 20.

19. Royal Governor Henry Ellis of Georgia.

20. Epherata [Epharata] was a plantation belonging to the Rev. George Whitfield located
near Wormsloe.

21 . The list names the newly-elected members to the Commons House.

22. Captain John Milledge, a brother of Mrs. Nicholas Rigby, was also an original
Savannah settler.

23. James Wright became Lieutenant Governor of Georgia as well as acting Governor in
1760 to replace Henry Ellis. In 1762 he was elevated to Governor.

24. William Bull was Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina.

The Jones Family Papers 69

25. Captain Paul Demere commanded the garrison at Loudoun.

26. Frederick the Great, Britain's ally in the Seven Years War (French and Indian War).

27. Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick commanded a joint Anglo-German army on the
continent.

28. Man-Killer was a Cherokee chieftan whose Indian name was Outacity. He proved
instrumental in ending hostilities with the English, and in 1761 traveled to England as a
guest of the Crown. Henry T. Malone, Cherokees of the Old South (Athens, Ga.,
University of Georgia Press, 1956), p. 4.

29. Mortar was a principal chief of the Upper Creeks.

30. The fort at Ninety-Six was located at a small settlement by that name on the Saluda
River in western South Carolina. McCrady, History of South Carolina, p. 139.

31. Jonathan Bryan served as a cavalry captain in the Georgia militia during the war and
held various political posts in the colonial and revolutionary governments of Georgia.

32. Lieutenant Colonel James Grant of the regular British army had recently replaced Ar-
chibald Montgomery as commander of the Carolina Region. The problems to which the
writer refers concern the alleged insubordination of militia troops within his command.
Eventually a duel was fought over this matter between Grant and the militia commander
Colonel Thomas Middleton in 1761. Neither man was injured. McCrady, History of
South Carolina, pp. 350-352.

33. The writer alludes to the defeat of Prince Ferdinand at the Battle of Kloster-Kamp on
October 16, 1760, at the hands of the French. This was followed by the second
engagement mentioned, the Battle of Torgau, which was King Frederick's last victory
of the Seven Years' War. With a numerically inferior force he defeated the Austrians
under Count L. J. von Daun in November, 1760.

34. King George II died October 25, 1760.

35. Governor George Handley, 1788-1789.

36. The writer refers to his father's request that he remove to Charleston temporarily to
assist him in medical practice.

37. Joseph Gibbons was the writer's brother-in-law.

38. Edward Telfair, 1735-1807, was a prominent patriot and politician in Georgia both
before and after the revolution. He was the state's second Governor and was married
to the writer's sister-in-law, Sallie Gibbons.

39. Edward Campbell, George Jones' stepson by his second marriage to Mrs. Macartan
(Sarah) Campbell of Charleston in 1795, and Noble Wimberly Jones.

40. Noble Wimberly Jones and his cousin George Glen have just been admitted to Prin-
ceton.

41. This probably refers to Margaret (Glen) Hunter, daughter of the younger Noble
Wimberly Jones' aunt Sarah (Jones) Glen. Margaret (Glen) Hunter was married to
William Hunter.

42. Alfred Cuthbert, the son of Seth John Cuthbert, was a classmate of Noble Wimberly
Jones' at Princeton and was graduated in 1803. He later acheived note as a Savannah
attorney and member of the United States House of Representatives.

43. William Gibbons was the brother of the writer's deceased wife. His sister Sallie was
married to Edward Telfair.

44. Ann probably refers to William Gibbons' daughter. Martha is apparently the
recipient's cousin Martha Hunter, and Harriet is his foster sister Harriet Tatnall
Campbell.

45. Mrs. Tattnall, a relative by marriage, was the wife of former Governor of Georgia
Josiah Tattnall. She died leaving a number of minor children.

46. Mrs. Kollock was the wife Rev. Henry Kollock, pastor of Savannah's Independent
Presbyterian Church.

47. This refers to Nathaniel Hall, married to Nancy Gibbons daughter of Joseph Gibbons.

48. Josiah Tattnall, revolutionary war patriot and Governor of Georgia from 1801 to 1802,
resigned from office in November 1802 due to ill health and removed to the Bahamas.

49. Sulphur Springs, Hot Springs, and Warm Springs were resorts located in what is today
the state of West Virginia.

50. Noble Wimberly Jones' landlady at Princeton.

70 The Jones Family Papers

51. Alfred Cuthbert's mother.

52. Joseph Clay, son of a prominent Savannah merchant bearing the same name, practiced
law in the city several years before undergoing a dramatic conversion and entering the
Baptist ministry.

53. Colonel William Few was an early Georgia revolutionary patriot who subsequently
served in the state legislature and in the Continental Congress. He moved to New York
in 1799 to pursue a banking career.

54. Apparently Thomas and Alexander Telfair, sons of former Governor Telfair.

55. Bolton's Counting House, located on Old Market Square, was founded by Robert and
John Bolton in 1796.

56. The former Miss Margaret Glen.

57. Dr. James Glen was the writer's nephew, son of John and Sarah Glen.

58. Catherine Glen was the recipient's cousin, daughter of John and Sarah Glen.

59. Matthew Hall McAllister and Hannah McAllister were related to the Jones family via
the Gibbons branch. McAllister was a respected local politician and jurist.

60. Dr. James Glen.

61. This letter, translated from the original French, is from Francois Didier Petit de
Villers, an aristocratic French merchant who settled in Savannah in 1803 and entered
business as a commission factor. His friend, Mr. De Russy of New York is uniden-
tified.

62. This lengthy letter is addressed to Dr. John Grimes, Secretary of the Georgia Medical
Society, on the occasion of the death of Dr. Noble Wimberly Jones by his son Dr.
George Jones. It is a part of the John Grimes Papers in possession of the Georgia
Historical Society.

63. Dr. Noble Wimberly Jones had been president of the society.

64. Apparently an unidentified kinsman of Rev. Henry Kollock who had numerous
relations in the North.

65. Claudia Tattnall, daughter of Josiah Tattnall, died at age sixteen in Middleton,
Connecticut.

66. A Savannah mercantile house.

67. Noble Wimberly Jones' tutor in law.

68. Governor Jared Irwin, 1751-1818, served 1796-98 & 1806-09. George Jones had been
appointed Judge for the Eastern District of Georgia by Governor John Milledge in
1804 and continued to serve under Governor Irwin until 1807. At that time he was
appointed to fill a congressional post vacated by the untimely death of Abaraham
Baldwin. He served only a few months until a special election rendered the seat to
William H. Crawford. Biographical Dictionary of the American Congress
(Washington: Government Printing Office, 1950), p. 98.

69. Translated from the original French.

70. Thomas Telfair, son of former Governor Telfair, would graduate from Princeton,
enter the legal profession, and eventually serve in Congress from 1813-1817. William
Gumming is not identified.

71. Orphaned son of Josiah Tattnall.

72. This passage refers to the attack by the H.M.S. Leopard on the United States frigate
Chesapeake in June 1807 off the American coast. The Chesapeake surrendered and
was boarded. Four alleged deserters from the British navy were removed. The outrage
caused great popular excitement in the United States, and helped spur Congress to pass
the Embargo Act. of 1807.

73. Daughter of William and Margaret (Glen) Hunter.

74. Mrs. Belcher was the wife of William Belcher, a Savannah merchant who removed to
Boston in 1803.

75. George Henry Rose was Envoy Extraordinary dispatched to the United States by
Britain in the wake of the Chesapeake affair. His mission proved fruitless, and he
returned home after a short time. H. C. Allen, Great Britain and the United States: A
History of Anglo-American Relations (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1955), p. 310.

76. Miller Kollock, child of Dr. Lemuel Kollock of Savannah. Dr. Kollock was a cousin of
Rev. Henry Kollock and married to the writer's foster daughter, Maria Campbell.

The Jones Family Papers 71

77. The Embargo Act. of 1807, directed against both Great Britain and France, forbade
the export of all goods from the United States to any country in the world.

78. This undated resolution was apparently drawn up between 1807 and 1812.

79. William Pinckney, 1764-1822, replaced James Monroe as Minister to Great Britain in
October 1807. He tried in vain to get the Crown to revoke the Orders-in-Council
against United States shipping, but finally left England in 1811 convinced war would
soon follow, as it did the next year. Dumas Malone, ed., Diclionary of American
Biography, Vol. VII of 22 Vols. (New York: Scribners Sons, 1934), 626-627.

80. In 1798 two Scotsmen, Alexander and William Mein, formed a partnership with
Robert Mackay in Savannah. Their trading firm operated until 1801 when Alexander
Mein returned to England. William Mein and Robert Mackay thereupon became co-
partners and continued to do business as Mein and Mackay Company until 1816.
Walter C. Hartridge, ed.. The Letters of Robert Macltay to His Wife, (Athens:
University of Georgia Press, 1949), p. 252.

72 The Jones Family Papers

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