DR. EDWARD JONES. MERION. MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Dr. Edward Jones may be termed one of the principal founders of Lower Merion Township, for it was he and John ap Thomas who organised the little Company of Adventurers that first planted Merioneth Town in the Welsh Tract, and it was Edward Jones who personally led the first Welsh settlers to Pennsylvania in August 1682, and selected the location of their purchases.Edward Jones was born probably in Merionethshire in or about the year 1645. He was "of ancient and honorable family," and connected with the gentry of Wales, and was bred a physician and surgeon. He seems to have followed the latter calling chiefly in his native country, and in 1682 is described as "of Bala in the County of Merionethshire, Chirurgion."
He arrived in Pennsylvia in the fall of 1682, before Penn's coming, and had a part of his land surveyed to him near the Schuylkill, northward of the present Montgomery Avenue, and near the Falls. "His original purchase was 306 1/4 acres, of which he kept only half to himself." Dr. Jones became a very prominent man in the township, and indeed in the Province. He was a Justice of the Peace and a member of the Provincial Assembly.
He died in Merion the 26th of the 12th month, 1737, and was buried in thr ground of the Merion Meeting.
The children of Dr. Edward Jones and Mary, his wife, daughter of Dr. Thomas Wynne, as named in his will, were Martha, Jonathan, Edward, Thomas, Evan, John, Elizabeth and Mary.
Merion in the Welsh Tract.
DR. EDWARD JONES. MERION. MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Edward Jones, Chirurgeon, of Wynnewood, born in Wales, died at Merion 12 Mo. 26, 1737, aged 92.Will proved in Philadelphia, Aug. 2, 1738. Signed 3 Mo. 27, 1732-3.
Edward Jones was the associate of John ap Thomas, and one of the "first Purchasers" in Merion, leader of the company who came over in the "Ship Lyon". His wife was Mary, daughter of Dr. Thomas Wynne, friend and physician of William Penn, and first Speaker of the first Pennsylvania Legislature.
The children of Edward and Mary Jones were, Jonathan, born in Wales 1680; Martha, who married John Cadwallader, Schoolmaster, son of Cadwallader ap Thomas (brother of John ap Thomas); Edward, Jr. who settled in Blockley and died 1732; John; Eliz.; Thomas; Mary; Evan an early medical practitioner.