Sir Thomas Jones, MP

http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1509-1558/member/jo...

JONES, Thomas (by 1492-1558/59), of Abermarlais, Carm. and Haroldston, Pemb.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1509-1558, ed. S.T. Bindoff, 1982.
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Family and Education

b. by 1492, 1st s. of John ap Thomas ap Gruffydd of Abermarlais by Eleanor, da. of Thomas Vaughan of Brodorddyn, Carm.

m. (1) Elizabeth, da. of Sir Edward Done of Kidwelly, Carm., 2da.;

(2) by 1532, Mary, da. of James Berkeley of Thornbury, Glos., wid. of Thomas Perrot (d.1531) of Haroldston, Pemb., at least 3s. inc. Henry Jones I and Richard 2da. Kntd. ?16 Jan. 1542.1

Offices Held

Groom of the chamber in 1513, gent. usher in 1532; jt. constable, Llandovery castle, Carm. and steward and receiver of the lordship 1527; commr. lands of Rhys ap Gruffydd 1531, sewers, Card., Carm. 1540, subsidy, Pemb. 1544, relief, Brec., Card., Carm., Glam., Pemb., Salop and Haverfordwest 1550, goods of churches and fraternities, Card., Carm. 1553; steward and receiver, Abermarlais and Newcastle Emlyn, Carm., constable, Emlyn castle 1532; steward, Haverfordwest, Pemb. and Laugharne, Carm. 1532, Llansadwrn, Carm. 1539; member, town council, Haverfordwest by 1539-46 or later; sheriff, Pemb. 1540-1, 1548-9, Carm. 1542-3, Card. 1543-4; feodary, Pemb. c.1546; gov., surveyor and receiver, castle and lordship of Narberth, Pemb. 1543; constable, Tenby castle and steward, lordship of Coedrath, Pemb. 1543; burgess, Cardigan, Card. by 1553; j.p. Carm., Glos., Herefs., Salop and Worcs. 1555.2

Biography

Thomas Jones’s father was a younger brother of Henry VII’s supporter at Bosworth, Sir Rhys ap Thomas. Of the father’s part in the Tudor cause little is recorded; he was almost certainly the man granted an annuity of 10 marks out of the exchequer at Carmarthen in 1487, perhaps as a reward for service two years before. It was his son who was to establish the family in the position of strength which it enjoyed during the 16th century. Of Thomas Jones’s early years nothing is known; he is first glimpsed in the expedition which took Tournai in 1513. During the next dozen years he seems to have divided his time between court and country.3

After the arrest in 1531 of his kinsman, Rhys ap Gruffydd, Jones was one of four commissioners appointed to inquire into the traitor’s lands and to seize his goods. Jones was the most active of the commissioners, and it was he who was to derive the greatest benefit from the escheat. Among the forfeited estates were Abermarlais and Llansadwrn: it was at Abermarlais that he first established himself in the house built by his uncle and visited by Leland. Jones also had a house at Haroldston in Pembrokeshire and was described as of that place on his return to Parliament for Pembrokeshire in 1541. His connexion with the shire began with his marriage to the widow of Thomas Perrot of Haroldston, near Haverfordwest. Here Jones became a leading figure; he was lessee of the lordship and manor of Haverfordwest, of the castle, lordship and manor of Laugharne, and of the manor of Castle Walwyn, Carmarthenshire, all part of the inheritance of his stepson John Perrot, whose wardship he purchased in 1533, and for many years he was a prominent member of Haverfordwest town council. Although a frequent attender at court, Jones emerged as one of the leading figures in South Wales at the Union: he was sheriff of each of the counties of Cardigan, Carmarthen and Pembroke between 1540 and 1544.4

Jones is known to have sat in three Parliaments, twice for Pembrokeshire and once for Carmarthenshire: he may also have been re-elected for Pembrokeshire to the Parliament of March 1553, in which his son Henry sat for the first time for Carmarthenshire, although he perhaps stood aside in favour of his stepson John Perrot. During his first Membership Jones is said to have secured the transfer of several lordships, including his own of Laugharne, to Carmarthenshire from Pembrokeshire: the motive appears to have been his wish to consolidate his estates in one county. It was also doubtless he who secured a privileged position for Haverfordwest, including its enfranchisement as a parliamentary seat. He was probably one of those summoned to the Parliament Chamber and there knighted on the opening of Parliament, and it was while serving as a Member that he was twice pricked sheriff, first for Carmarthenshire and then for Cardiganshire. During the second session he presumably delivered the writ for the by-election following the death of the knight for Cardiganshire as he was present at the election of Thomas Eynns as replacement.5

In 1544 Jones went with the King on the French campaign. Two years later he obtained a lease of the capital messuage of Abermarlais, where he had been steward since 1532, and also the lordship of Llansadwrn, Carmarthenshire; until this time he had been described as of Haroldston or Llanegwad, but thereafter he was to be always of Abermarlais. In 1543 he had also acquired the site of Talley abbey, together with several rectories in Carmarthenshire. An ally of the Herbert family and of the 1st Earl of Pembroke, Jones married his son Henry to a niece of the earl and was to name as overseer of his will (Sir) George Herbert, Pembroke’s elder brother. He sued out a general pardon at the accession of Queen Mary and seems to have passed the greater part of her reign in local activity while his sons took his place at Westminster. In 1558, however, he was elected again to Parliament. He made his will on 27 Jan., a week after the assembly. As it included provision for a priest in the parish church of Llansadwrn to pray for him for three years after his death he presumably did not share the religious sympathies of his son Richard. The date of probate, 26 June 1559, leaves it uncertain whether Jones survived to attend the second session of the Parliament in November 1558, but the omission of his name from the list of Members probably relating to that session implies that he did not. His heir was his son Henry.6

Ref Volumes: 1509-1558 Author: P. S. Edwards Notes

1. Date of birth estimated from first reference. Dwnn, Vis. Wales, i. 189, 222.

2. LP Hen. VIII, i, iv v, xiv, xv, xviii; CPR, 1553, pp. 358, 364, 404, 419; 1553-4, pp. 19-20, 23, 25; 1554-5, p. 62; Wards 9/187/7; C219/21/215; Cal. Haverfordwest Recs. (Univ. Wales Bd. of Celtic Studies, Hist. and Law ser. xxiv), 19-21; Req.2/12/82, 8/170; SP11/5/6.

3. CPR, 1485-94, p. 168; 1554-5, p. 62; LP Hen. VIII, i.

4. LP Hen. VIII, v, vi, xiii, xiv; Leland, Itin. ed. Smith, iii. 113; Arch. Camb. cxvi. 168-70, 175-7; Wards 9/187/7.

5. Description of Pemb. (Cymmrod. rec. ser. i), iii. 113-14; C219/18B/117.

6. LP Hen. VIII, xviii, xix; Req.2/8/170, 12/82; APC, ii. 293; iii. 202; PCC 30 Chaynay; CPR, 1553-4, p. 444; Wm. Salt Lib. SMS 264

• http://www.thepeerage.com/p39435.htm#i394347
• 'Sir Thomas Jones1
• M, #394347
• Last Edited=10 Aug 2009
• Child of Sir Thomas Jones
  • 1.Elinor Jones+2
• Citations
• 1.[S37] Charles Mosley, editor, Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes (Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A.: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 2003), volume 1, page 1255. Hereinafter cited as Burke's Peerage and Baronetage, 107th edition.
• 2.[S37] Charles Mosley, Burke's Peerage and Baronetage, 107th edition.
• _________________
• History of Parliament Online

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◦KINSHIP: Eldest son.

OFFICE: Sheriff of Pembroke 1540 (Sir Thomas Jones, Knight, of Harroldston). (Nicholas, Annals and Antiquities of the Counties and County Families of Wales, vol. 2 p. 882)

OFFICE: Sheriff of Carmarthen 1541 (Sir Thomas Johnes, Knight, of Abermales). (Nicholas, Annals and Antiquities of the Counties and County Families of Wales, vol. 1 p. 273)

OFFICE: Sheriff of Cardigan 1543 (Sir Thomas Jones, Knight, of Abermarlais, co. Carmarthen). (Nicholas, Annals and Antiquities of the Counties and County Families of Wales, vol. 1 p. 180)

OFFICE: 1st Knight of the Shire for Pembroke. (Rowland, Pedigree of the Ancient Family of Dolau Cothi, p. 15)

OFFICE: Member of Parliament for Haverfordwest.

HONOURS: Knighted. (Evans, British Genealogist, book 8 p. H67)
LIVING: 1525.

RESIDENCE: Haroldston and Abermarlais. (Evans, British Genealogist, book 6 p. F10)

RESIDENCE: Abermarlais. (Dwnn, Heraldic Visitations of Wales, vol. 2 p. 27)

PROPERTY: "Alcwyn Evans MSS., vol. III., p. 338 - Sir Thos. Jones lived at Haroldston with his second wife. On 8th May, 1545, he petitioned Henry VIII. for the Lordship of Llansadwrn, its chief messuage called Abermarlais, and the woods and farms in Maenor Deilo, in the parish of Llandeilo Fawr, all of which had previously been the property of his cousin Rhys ap Griffith of Dinevor, attainted and executed. He obtained the Grant, and paid for it." (Buckley, Genealogies of the Carmarthenshire Sheriffs from 1539-1913, p. 6 fn.)

PROBATE: Will dated 27 Jan 1557, will prove 26 Jun 1559 (Carmarthen). (Buckley, Genealogies of the Carmarthenshire Sheriffs from 1539-1913, p. 6 fn.)
(Research) KINSHIP: Investigate> Thomas' 'Golden Grove MS' book 2 page A180 states "According to Sir Harford Jone's pedigree inserted in V: q. of the Encyclopaedia Londinensis p. 765 Sir Thomas Jones of Abermarlais had a younger brother Griffith Jones who was of Trewern in Radnorshire & Sh of that county in 1553 and from whom the 4th in descent was Griffith Jones".
(Research) KINSHIP: Conflict/Error> Dwnn's 'Heraldic Visitations of Wales' volume 2 page 30 omits two generations between Thomas and Gruffudd, namely John ap Thomas and Thomas ap Gruffudd.

(Research) KINSHIP: Conflict/Error> Dwnn's 'Heraldic Visitations of Wales' volume 2 page 58 inserts two extra generations between Thomas and John called Harry Johnes and Thomas Johnes, thus repeating the two previous generations.

(Research) KINSHIP: Conflict/Error> Evan's 'British Genealogist' book 1 page 46 gives him a daughter Mary who was married to Rhydderch Gwynne. She is actually the daughter of his grandson Thomas Johnes and Jane Puleston.

Sources:

1.[S2410] #1105 Genealogies of the Carmarthenshire Sheriffs from 1539-1913 (1910-1913), Buckley, James, (2 volumes. Carmarthen: W. Spurrell, 1910-1913), FHL book 942.98 D2b., p. 6, 34.

2.[S2436] #4569 Welsh Genealogies AD 1400-1500 (1983), Bartrum, Peter C. (Peter Clement), (18 volumes, with supplements containing additions and corrections. Aberystwyth: National Library of Wales, 1983), FHL book 942.9 D2bw., vol. 1 p. 58; vol. 4 p. 639, 647*, 648; vol. 7 p. 1193; vol. 9 p. 1455; vol. 10 p. 1615.

3.[S2434] #2105 Heraldic Visitations of Wales and Part of the Marches Between the Years 1586 and 1613 by Lewys Dwnn (1846), Dwnn, Lewys; transcribed and edited with notes by Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick, (2 volumes. Llandovery: William Rees, 1846), FHL book 942.9 D23d; FHL microfilm 176,668., vol. 1 p. 20, 89, 98*, 134, 165, 189*, 191, 211, 222, 333; vol. 2 p. 26*, 27, 30, 58*, 151.

4.[S2411] #11915 British Genealogy (filmed 1950), Evans, Alcwyn Caryni, (Books A to H. National Library of Wales MSS 12359-12360D. Manuscript filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1950), FHL microfilms 104,355 and 104,390 item 2., book 1 p. 4a, 7a*, 13, 37, 46*, 49, 86, 107, 156*, 261; book 2 p. B3, 23*; book 3 p. C118; book 4 p. D62; book 6 p. F10; book 8 p. H67.

5.[S2420] #11886 The Golden Grove books of pedigrees (filmed 1970), (Manuscript, National Library of Wales manuscript number Castell Gorfod 7. Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1950), FHL microfilms 104,349-104,351., book 2 p. A140, 142*, 175; book 5 p. C662; book 6 p. D778; book 9 p. G1163; book 20 p. 92, 101*, 102*; book 21 p. 124, 161, 180.

6.[S2435] #1875 Annals and Antiquities of the Counties and County Families of Wales: Containig a Record of All Ranks of the Gentry, Their Lineage, Alliances ... (1875), Nicholas, Thomas, (2 volumes. London: Longmans, Green, Reeder, 1875.), FHL microfilm 454,040 item 1., vol. 1 p. 180, 273; vol. 2 p. 882.

7.[S4923] Pedigree of the Ancient Family of Dolau Cothi, Rowland, John, (Microreproduction of original published: Carermarthen : William Spurrell, 1877. vi. 23 p. Salt Lake City, Utah : Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1982), FHL BRITISH Fiche [6024300]., p. 14*, 15, 18, 19.

8.[S2420] #11886 The Golden Grove books of pedigrees (filmed 1970), (Manuscript, National Library of Wales manuscript number Castell Gorfod 7. Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1950), FHL microfilms 104,349-104,351., book 5 p. C662.

9.[S2434] #2105 Heraldic Visitations of Wales and Part of the Marches Between the Years 1586 and 1613 by Lewys Dwnn (1846), Dwnn, Lewys; transcribed and edited with notes by Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick, (2 volumes. Llandovery: William Rees, 1846), FHL book 942.9 D23d; FHL microfilm 176,668., vol. 2 p. 30.

10.[S2434] #2105 Heraldic Visitations of Wales and Part of the Marches Between the Years 1586 and 1613 by Lewys Dwnn (1846), Dwnn, Lewys; transcribed and edited with notes by Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick, (2 volumes. Llandovery: William Rees, 1846), FHL book 942.9 D23d; FHL microfilm 176,668., vol. 2 p. 26.

11.[S2434] #2105 Heraldic Visitations of Wales and Part of the Marches Between the Years 1586 and 1613 by Lewys Dwnn (1846), Dwnn, Lewys; transcribed and edited with notes by Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick, (2 volumes. Llandovery: William Rees, 1846), FHL book 942.9 D23d; FHL microfilm 176,668., vol. 2 p. 58.

12.[S2436] #4569 Welsh Genealogies AD 1400-1500 (1983), Bartrum, Peter C. (Peter Clement), (18 volumes, with supplements containing additions and corrections. Aberystwyth: National Library of Wales, 1983), FHL book 942.9 D2bw., vol. 4 p. 647.

13.[S2411] #11915 British Genealogy (filmed 1950), Evans, Alcwyn Caryni, (Books A to H. National Library of Wales MSS 12359-12360D. Manuscript filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1950), FHL microfilms 104,355 and 104,390 item 2., book 1 p. 13, 49, 96; book 2 p. B23; book 8 p. H67.

14.[S2420] #11886 The Golden Grove books of pedigrees (filmed 1970), (Manuscript, National Library of Wales manuscript number Castell Gorfod 7. Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1950), FHL microfilms 104,349-104,351., book 21 p. 180.

15.[S2434] #2105 Heraldic Visitations of Wales and Part of the Marches Between the Years 1586 and 1613 by Lewys Dwnn (1846), Dwnn, Lewys; transcribed and edited with notes by Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick, (2 volumes. Llandovery: William Rees, 1846), FHL book 942.9 D23d; FHL microfilm 176,668., vol. 2 p. 27.

16.[S2434] #2105 Heraldic Visitations of Wales and Part of the Marches Between the Years 1586 and 1613 by Lewys Dwnn (1846), Dwnn, Lewys; transcribed and edited with notes by Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick, (2 volumes. Llandovery: William Rees, 1846), FHL book 942.9 D23d; FHL microfilm 176,668., vol. 1 p. 333.

17.[S2420] #11886 The Golden Grove books of pedigrees (filmed 1970), (Manuscript, National Library of Wales manuscript number Castell Gorfod 7. Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1950), FHL microfilms 104,349-104,351., book 2 p. A175; book 9 p. G1163.

18.[S2410] #1105 Genealogies of the Carmarthenshire Sheriffs from 1539-1913 (1910-1913), Buckley, James, (2 volumes. Carmarthen: W. Spurrell, 1910-1913), FHL book 942.98 D2b., p. 6.

19.[S2420] #11886 The Golden Grove books of pedigrees (filmed 1970), (Manuscript, National Library of Wales manuscript number Castell Gorfod 7. Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1950), FHL microfilms 104,349-104,351., book 2 p. A140, 142.

20.[S2434] #2105 Heraldic Visitations of Wales and Part of the Marches Between the Years 1586 and 1613 by Lewys Dwnn (1846), Dwnn, Lewys; transcribed and edited with notes by Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick, (2 volumes. Llandovery: William Rees, 1846), FHL book 942.9 D23d; FHL microfilm 176,668., vol. 1 p. 89, 98, 134, 165, 189, 191, 211, 222.

21.[S2436] #4569 Welsh Genealogies AD 1400-1500 (1983), Bartrum, Peter C. (Peter Clement), (18 volumes, with supplements containing additions and corrections. Aberystwyth: National Library of Wales, 1983), FHL book 942.9 D2bw., vol. 4 p. 647.