MR. ROBERT MORRIS JONES, PROSPECT, ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

ROBERT M. JONES was born in the parish of Llanarmon Eifionydd, in Carnarvonshire, North Wales, in 1783. It is recorded in the book of baptisms in the register of Llanarmon parish church that on "June 24, 1783, was baptized Robert Morris, son of Morris Prichard by Anne, his wife."

In boyhood he received fair educational advantages for the time, and at the age of sixteen he was apprenticed to the millwright trade in the neighboring shire of Merioneth. However, before the expiration of his term of apprenticeship his father decided to emigrate with his family to America, so bought from the master the unexpired time of the apprenticeship, that he might bring the son to this country with him. Here he completed his trade, following the vocation and that of building for many years. He was the first in this section to build by what is known as "square rule." Thitherto framed structures in these parts were built exclusively by what was termed "scribe rule," or the method of "cut and try."

He came here in 1801, and in early manhood purchased a farm, and subsequently other parcels of land, and engaged extensively in farming and dairying in addition to mill-construction and building. In 1839 he purchased the mills and water privilege in Remsen village, where in 1850-1852 he replaced the Piatt mills by new ones. In July, 1807, he married Jane, born in 1785, daughter of Rev. Richard Jones. He died December 3rd, 1873, aged ninety years; and his wife died May 3rd, 1850, aged sixty-five years.

Their children were Elizabeth, born December 4, 1808, married Hugh J. Hughes and died in August, 1868. Children: John H.; Jane, who married Matthew Jones; Cornelius; Lewis; Lydia, who married Evan Thomas; Dr. Robert H,, who married Martha Lewis; and Ellen.

Cornelius R. was born in Trenton township October 27, 1809. He attended school at Remsen, and when a youth worked at the mill-wright and carpenter trades with his father. When about eighteen he went to Johnstown, N. Y., where he assisted at carpenter work for a time, and thence went to Albany. Returning to his home, he remained here until his time was his own, when he left again, in the spring of 1831, with the intention of journeying to Ohio, then the Eldorado of the west. He walked to Rome, and from there followed the tow-path of the Erie canal to Syracuse, where he met a friend who secured work for him at the Lodi dry-dock. He remained in Syracuse, where he later began to take mill-work and building contracts on his own account.

In December, 1831, he married Phoebe, daughter of Zimri and Elizabeth Barber, of Canton, N. Y. Their children were Nelson 0., who married Celestia Root; George W., who married Elizabeth Piatt; Elizabeth, who married Frederick Gardner; Loren, who married first, Ellen Hymes, and second Gertrude (Bedel) Smith; Charles H., unmarried, who served in Company C, 185th Regiment, N. Y. volunteers, and died June 17, 1872.

In the winter of 1849-1850, Mr. Jones returned to Remsen, where he resided until 1855, during which time he rebuilt the Platt Mills, now known as the Remsen Mills. He died at Syracuse April 3, 1898.

Morris R. was born in the township of Trenton, February 16, 1812. He learned the trade of mill-wright, and at an early age located at Syracuse where he was engaged in mill-wright and contract work, boat-building, largely. He was of an inventive mind and devised many useful inventions, among which was a gate paddle, which came into general use on canal-lock gates throughout the country. On August 16, 1837, he married Elizabeth, born August 22, 1819. daughter of Alfred and Orpha (Winchell) Little. Their children were Orpha J., born November 8, 1839, married Augustus Platt February 22, 1865, to whom was born February 15, 1866 a son, Charles T., who married Lulu Parks September 5, 1893. Allen M., born December 15, 1844, married Anna M. Hitchcock February 25, 1874, by whom he has one daughter, Myrtie Elizabeth, born December 25, 1875, and who married Myron Terpening November 20, 1902. Mr. Jones died October 9, 1874; and his widow July 13, 1903.

Mary A., born January 25, 1814, died April 5, 1893; married Isaac W. Roberts in April, 1834. Children: Jefferson W., died March 7, 1862; L Newton, served in Company E., 1st. Regiment of Illinois Light Artillery, married Barbara Louise Sayers, died May 16, 1872; Lydia A.; George W., who served in Company B., 149th Reg't., N. Y. S. Vol's.; died January 27, 1888; Frank C, married Ellie Copeland, of Canton, N. Y., to whom were born two children, Frank Marcy, and Clayton who died in infancy; Frank C. died November 19, 1886; Marietta E., who married Edward R. Walsh, of Chicago, to whom was born one daughter, Annie M.; Mrs. Walsh died September 1, 1909; Clinton M., who died September 26, 1905; and Millard F., who married Agnes L. Gay, of Syracuse, N. Y., October 7, 1886.

Hannah, born June 7, 1816, died in January 1871, married Griffith W. Jones. Children: Gordon G.; Eliza J., who married Edward J. Utley; and Robert M., who died at the age of fourteen years.

Jane, born February 17, 1820, married Griffith W. Wheldon, Children: Jane E., who married Lewis Richards; Elnora, who died at the age of nineteen; William; Mary E., who married Dr. B. Frank Haskins; Rachel, who died in infancy; and Leah A., who married William H. Jones. Mrs Wheldon died October 4, 1881.

Leah, born January 17, 1823, married Evan P. Owens by whom she had two children, Ann Jane, and Robert Lloyd, both of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Owens died March 26, 1852.

Rachel E., born August 23, 1825, married Elias R. Jones. Children: Jane M., who married William M. Jones, and has one daughter, R. Emily, who married Chauncey H. Williams; Catherine L., who married John L. Jones; and R. Fremont, who married Lydia, daughter of Thomas Evans. They have one son, Russell. Mrs. Rachel E. Jones died in November, 1858.

Richard R., born April 20, 1830, married Mary A., daughter of John and Elizabeth Jones. Their children were Lida, who married William T. Murty; Robert M., and Nellie F. Mr. Jones died December 8, 1866.

A narrative history of Remsen, New York.