... Alexander Jones graduated at Brown University, Providence, R. I., in 1782. In the Spring of 1783 he went to New York as a clerk. In 1784 he went to England as clerk. In 1786 returned home, and kept a school through the Winter of 1786 and 1787. In the latter year he went to Charleston, S. C, and was clerk and bookkeeper until December, when he went into business. Continued it with success, married in 1790, and lived in Charleston until 1805, when he removed with his family to Providence. There he became a cotton merchant, and sold the first bale of cotton to the first manufacturer in this country, Samuel Slater.
In 1813 he bought the mansion on Angell Street, about a half mile from the centre of the town, which he named "Bellevue."
In 1827 he retired from business, which he had carried on successfully for 22 years in Providence, being (what was called in those days) a rich man.
Eight years afterwards my mother died at the age of 62, and four years and six months from the time of her death he followed her, entering into "the rest that remaineth to the people of God," March 19th, 1840, aged 76 years, 7 months and 11 days.
The husband and wife lived together 45 years, and they both left a record and a memory ever to be valued by their children and grandchildren. ...
THE LIFE OF ALEXANDER JONES.
As written by himself on his 70th birthday; Providence, R.I., August 8th, 1834.
It having pleased Almighty God to prolong the life of Alexander Jones to the great age of " threescore years and ten," he would, on this anniversary of his birth, pour out his heart in gratitude and thanksgiving to Him for His long forbearance and tender mercies to one so unworthy of His favors, and express his determination to devote himself anew to the service of his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ during the short remnant of his days.
I write this biographical sketch of my unprofitable life for my own gratification and for the information of my dear children and grandchildren, having been father of eleven of the former, of whom, blessed be God, nine are now living, and fifty of the latter, of whom thirty-eight are now alive.
I was born in the town of Mendon, in that portion called Mill River Precinct, now the town of Milford, county of Worcester, Massachusetts, on the 8th of August, 1 76-4. When a boy, my father being a farmer, I did light work on the farm until about 12 years old, when, as I was more fond of books than labor, not robust and being very small, and the oldest and favorite son of a too indulgent father, h6 placed me under the tuition of the Rev. Amariah Frost, the minister of the parish, who prepared me for college.
I stop here to relate a wonderful preservation of my life when about six years of age. I went into the barn (about ten rods from the house), on Sunday to look for eggs and to play. I fell from the great beams, about twenty feet, to the threshing floor, striking against the plank of a scaffold, cutting a large hole in the upper part of my forehead. My brother David ran to the house saying that I was dead. My mother ran and found me, as she supposed, dead, carried me into the house, and laying me on her lap, she perceived that I breathed, and then made a little moaning noise. Dr. Scammell was sent for and I recovered. " Oh ! how good and gracious the Lord is ! Let this casualty be a solemn warning to my children and grandchildren not to desecrate God's holy Sabbath day."
I will relate a second preservation. In the year 1775, in Summer, when Washington and the American army were encamped in Cambridge and Roxbury, the British holding Boston, my father and mother drove to the camp to visit Major Alexander Scamniell, who named me. I sat in a little chair (being very small, indeed), before them in the chaise. In going over a small ditch in Cambridge, I was pitched out and fell under the wheel, which stopped against my neck and soiled my collar. Two inches further and I must have died. This was a second remarkable preservation. I return to the narrative :
In September, 1778, I entered Cambridge College as Freshman. It being during the Revolutionary war that I was admitted, and my father, finding the expense there very heavy, he concluded to place me to board and under the tuition of Rev. Mr. Ustick, of Grafton, one of the professors of the Rhode Island College, at about half the expense, to pursue the studies of the first year, with the understanding that I should enter the Sophomore class the next year, which was accordingly done. In Providence I boarded at Mr. Wm. Holroyd's, down town, for a long time, and then at Capt. Paine's, and lastly at Ralph Earle's in Weybosset Street. Our little class consisted of Joseph Jencks, Obadiah Brown, William McClellan and self, under the direction of and at Dr. Manning's house, the first president, and now occupied by Dr. Francis Wayland. In the year 1781, Brown, McClellan and self studied mathematics with Mr. Ustick, in Grafton (as Dr. Manning did not teach that branch), and Jencks studied with Dr. West. The first Wednesday in September, 1782, we passed a private examination in the chapel, and took private degrees. We went "through college" without residing in the building, as it was occupied a part of the time as a hospital for the French army. John Greene, Samuel Snow and Dr. Levi Wheaton (who had regular standings in college before the war), received their degrees at the same time.
I went home to my father's, a young and dwarfish stripling of 18 years. My father having sold his farm for paper money, which became almost worthless, and becoming embarrassed in trade, found it difficult to pay for my education. I had nothing but a little learning, and did not know what course to pursue. My father procured me the place of captain's clerk on board a privateer, but while my fond mother was preparing my clothes, wetting them with her tears, news came that a preliminary treaty of peace was signed. A kind Providence smiled upon me in this respect.
The Winter following, I kept school in Hopkinton, and had male and female scholars older and stronger than myself. I boarded at Mr. John Hayden's, and while in this kind family, was taken very sick with bilious colic — was taken home in a sleigh, covered with a blanket — and after ten days of extreme suffering, in which I lost twenty pounds of flesh, I recovered from this dangerous disease. In this third preservation, I now see the kind forbearance of my Heavenly Father to his erring, sinful child in his 19th year.
In the Spring of 1783, I went to New York and resided in the family of Captain Goldsbury, corner of Beekman and Water Streets. A part of the time I was clerk to Mr. Livesey, in his grocery in Beekman Street, and a part was clerk to Levi Thayer and Mr. Lyman. Every afternoon I Avent to a slaughter-house in Whitehall, to take receipts from the midshipmen of the British fleet, for quarters of fresh beef. Prince William Henry, now King William the Fourth, was then a midshipman on board Admiral Grave's fleet.
I boarded part of this time at the Bullshead and Plough and Harrow Inns, in the Bowery. While in Captain Goldsbury's family (he was a Loyalist, and had fought against his country), I was dangerously ill of bilious or yellow fever, and at one time my life was despaired of, so much so that Captain G. spoke to a friend of his for a place for me in a vault in St. Paul's churchyard. To the goodness and mercy of God, and His blessing on a skillful physician's prescriptions, and the kind, affectionate and untiring attention and good nursing of Mrs. Goldsbury (who placed me in her own bed), and that of her three excellent daughters, Betsey, Priscilla and Sally, who watched with me alternately (and if I had been a son or brother, more kindness could not have been shown me), I recovered. I was deranged and not conscious of my danger, neither did I, when convalescent, feel the least gratitude to God for this, fourth preservation from the grave. Oh ! the hardness and impenitency of the sinner's heart ! How vile ! and yet how unfeeling !
In 1783, a little before the evacuation of New York by the British, I returned home, and in December I sailed with Captain Connell in a schooner for Shelburne, Nova Scotia, and had charge of about $1,000 in fresh beef, furnished by Captain Bullen, of Medway. I arrived safely after a cold winter passage, boarded again in Captain G.'s fine family in a log house. At the breaking up of winter I took passage in a sloop for Marblehead with the proceeds in guineas, and walked from thence to Boston, Medway (where I paid over the money) and to Milford.
In the Spring of 1784, I took passage again in the sloop _____ , Captain Cornell, as supercargo of a cargo of unslacked lime in the hold, and twelve heavy live oxen on deck. In a dreadful gale of wind (in which we could carry no sail), the oxen falling on deck, made it leak, and the seas breaking continually over us, being on or near a shoal of George's Bank, we could not scud before the wind, and the lime beginning to smoke, the Captain ordered the decks cleared, which was done with great difficulty. The oxen perished and the gale soon abated. We all survived and arrived in safety. We were in imminent danger. I prayed for mercy, from a sense of fear, probably, for the first time in my life, but soon forgot all and kept on sinning. In this fifth preservation from death I see the finger of God, and would "call upon my soul and all that is within me to bless and praise His great and glorious name."
Early in August, 1784, I sailed in a brig. Captain Collins, from Shelburne for England, as a clerk for Levi Thayer and Philip Jarvis. Arrived at Dover and went by land to London, where I remained in furnished lodgings in Salisbury Court, Fleet Street, until November, when we all sailed in the ship Good Hope (same captain ), and after a boisterous passage arrived in Shelburne and opened a ship chandlery store for Thayer & Jarvis. I was a clerk for some time in Robertson & Rigby's dry goods store and boarded with Mr. Rigby. Thayer & Jarvis failed in 1785, and ran away in 1786. I got a passage to the United States in a fishing schooner, and again went to my own home in Milford, poor and destitute.
My father and the family then resided in Noah Wiswall's house at twelve dollars a year rent, for he had lost money and become poor. In the Winter of 1786 and '87, the time of Shay's insurrection, I again kept school at Chestnut Hill, Mendon, at six dollars per month and boarded at Colonel Reed's and Major Taft's.
In the Summer of 1787, Moses Smith, who owed my father money, proposed going to Charleston, South Carolina, and said he would pay for my passage. I had nothing but character, clothing not very good, and a little money ; and well knowing how sickly the Southern climate was, there seemed to be no other course for me to take but this desperate one. I proceeded to New York and there, on the 4th of July, falling into respectable company with some dissipated acquaintances, I spent nearly all the money I had — about four dollars. Oh ! let my children who read this, caution their children to beware of dissipated companions, however respectable their standing. I was ashamed and confounded, and made solemn resolutions, which I kept firmly afterwards.
I proceeded on in the sloop, Captain Elliott, to Charleston, Commodore Chauncey, then the cabin boy, where I arrived on the 19th. I ought here to relate a sixth preservation. Our vessel got aground on a shoal in the bar and in the breakers, and we were in such danger as to prepare to swim ashore if it was possible. We, however, at last thumped over the shoals into deep water and all was well.
When I landed in Charleston I had only eighteen coppers in my pocket, but a number of letters of introduction to Mr. Russell, Mr. Crafts, and several to Thayer, Bartlett & Co. These I had procured from my friends in Providence and Boston, and by them I hoped to procure a situation as clerk in a store, or as teacher in an academy or private family. On my passage (afterwards a remarkable coincidence), I became acquainted with Mr. Samuel Brenton (uncle to my son-in-law Rev. Samuel Brenton Shaw), who had a little property with him. He formed a friendship for me, and said he would divide with me while what he had lasted. We went to board at Mr. Hall's in the Bay at four dollars per week.
A very important era of my life was now about to take place. I lost no time in delivering my letters, but after being received with much politeness by all, none gave me encouragement as to employment. I had seen Mr. Williams Thayer several times (his partners being in Providence), and fortunately for me all his clerks except William Dabney (who afterwards married my sister Hannah), and he was in want of some one to bring up the books and accounts and make out bills and collect the amounts. And besides it appeared that he was pleased with me," for," said he, "I suppose you have not a great deal of money and you had better come and stay with me and I will see what can be done for you. In the meantime, if you have a mind to do some waiting, it is very well." I accepted his offer with avidity, entered into his business with spirit, made out bills, collected money and brought up the books. Soon after this he said: "Well, Jones, you shall not work for nothing. I will allow you ten dollars a month." About this time he gave me a suit of clothes (of brown cassimere), which I very much wanted, as I had a poor wardrobe. Business increased, I worked hard, my heart as light as a feather and I was happy, but not worth a dollar. In the Autumn both partners returned with three or four clerks and I was not wanted. My best friend said : "We will not turn you adrift." I was still a favorite.
Now comes one of the most important occurrences of my whole life — commencement of business. An old gentleman named Henry Caldwell, Sr., wished for an active young partner to commence the retail grocery business and to board with him, a bachelor. This business was much overdone, and the currency was paper money at 17 1/2 per cent, discount and a flood of copper coin. We tried the experiment, and opened a small grocery store in a small building of one story in Church, a little south of Tradd Street, under the firm of Caldwell & Jones; Thayer, Bartlett & Co. turning out and loaning me West India goods to the amount of £100 sterling for my part of the capital, Caldwell putting in the same amount in cash. This was in December, 1787. I commenced sales at retail by myself at cheap prices, early and late, and principally to blacks. Business increased and I extended it by running into debt. This so alarmed my partner that in two months we dissolved, and Thayer, Bartlett & Co. paid him off and took his place. The firm was then Alexander Jones, in the books Alexander Jones & Co.
My business increased rapidly, and my credit was undoubted in this year, 1788. I was active and delighted to have property at command to assist my father's family, who were quite poor. I went upon the plan of selling cheap and therefore had a great run of business. My store was too small, and my friends Thayer, Bartlett & Co. hired a lot next door at the corner of Longitude lane and employed some Northern carpenters to put a large cheap store, a small kitchen and a stable for their horse. A small shed room was put up for me, large enough for a cot bed, a pine table, two chairs, a trunk and an iron chest. In this small room I kept "bachelor's hall" and lived happily and contentedly. My brother Joseph was a very good and active clerk, and afterwards my brother Nathaniel. James C. Green and Robert Maxwell were also in my employ.
About this time my Aunt Sumner died, but being without heirs-at-law, the half of my grandfather Joseph Jones' farm, which he had previously given to her, reverted back to him, and he gave it to my father, and he deeded the same to me. Here was now a pleasant home for my father's family.
In the course of this year I became acquainted with Mary Farquhar, daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth (Farquhar) Christian, and was pleased with her. In 1789, I paid her more particular attention, and became attached to her, and at length was engaged. After a short courtship I was made happy by being married to her by the Rev. Thomas Frost on the 28th of January, 1790. Mrs. Christian then resided in Elliott Street and we boarded with her until July. This I consider the most important epoch of my life. At twenty-five (nearly) I married the lady of my choice, aged sixteen. Neither of us had property (or myself but very little), but I had health, activity and a good run of business. I took this important step after obtaining the approbation of my best friend, Williams Thayer.
I ought here to mention another important subject. For about two years I had a seat in Mr. Thayer's pew, in the Baptist Church, and sat under the close and excellent preaching of Rev. Mr. Furman. I, however, frequently attended St. Philip's Church, and being of a light and thoughtless disposition, I preferred Mr. Frost's preaching, as it did not alarm my conscience. I was pleased, too, with the Episcopal service, and especially with the music, and chanting of the choir of singing boys. I became an Episcopalian, and hired a pew in the south gallery, in Mrs. Christian's name. I afterwards purchased a pew in the centre of the Church, and paid for it £150 sterling.
In July of the above year, we commenced housekeeping, having purchased a little furniture, and hired a chamber and garret room, for £18, in Capt. Brown's house, near my store. About this time, my friends (T. B. & Co.), after clearing away my shed-room, and their stable, built on the store lot, in Longitude lane, a small brick house, 36 feet in length, of two stories, and only four rooms. In this house we lived happily and contentedly, about eight years. God prospered and blessed us with four fine children : Harriet F., Eliza E., Mary M. and Alexander.
I might have before stated, that in 1792 we visited our friends in Milford, with our only daughter, Harriet, and " Minty," nurse. I purchased my father's half of the farm. We returned by way of New York and Philadelphia. In the following year I dissolved with Thayer, B. & Co., and paid them £1,000 sterling for their part of the profits. I had used up my part, and had but little active capital left. My credit being good, however, I went on in my business successfully.
About 1795 or '96 I began to discount notes and bills of exchange, which was a very lucrative business, and about this time sold my stock of groceries to Mr. Lauderdale, and gave up that business. I set up my brother Nathaniel in the grocery business, who was successful, and paid me in two years about $2,000 profit. I also set up James C. Green, and was a dormant partner, by which I sustained a loss of about $15,000.
In May, 1798, I purchased a large three-story house of "Mr. Wright, at the corner of Tradd and Orange Streets, and removed there. I laid out about $4,000 in repairs and additions. We were blessed with health and lived happily in this pleasant situation seven years, and had three more children : Joseph, Caroline F. and Jane S.
My father died in my house, of yellow fever, on the 22d of August, 1799.
In 1800 I went to the North, to assist my mother in settling my father's insolvent estates, and to see my poor, sick sister, Betsey, before she died, which was in November. I purchased while there the other half of "The Dale Farm."
In 1802 there was a great change in my constitution, or habit, as to perspiration. Before this time, I had sweat profusely, and could bear the heat of the climate very well. In an unaccountable manner, the pores of my skin became closed, so that I could not perspire at all (perceptibly), except on the right hip (a place about as large as a silver dollar), and on the right side of my neck. This habit has continued until this time. My sufferings from the heat in South Carolina were extreme, and have been equally great in very hot weather at the North. On this account I passed the Summers of 1803 and 1801 in my native air at the North, and for the same reason I removed my family to Providence, R.I., in June, 1805, after selling my mansion-house, garden, etc., in Charleston.
Now commences another important epoch of my life. I became an inhabitant of Providence, R. I. We first resided in T. Foster's house, in Westminster Street, now owned by S. Tillinghast. Our daughter, Frances N., was born in this house, in January, 1806. In this year we removed to Billings' house, now Wm. J King's, Union Street. I also began to sell a little cotton. In 1807 we removed to Capt. Packard's house, in Westminster Street, and afterwards to " the Power House," corner of South Main and Transit Streets, in December, 1809. George F. was born here in February, 1811, and Ellen M. in June, 1812. In 1813 I purchased (by exchange of Dr. Moser) the mansion house in Angell Street, which I called " Bellevue." Our youngest daughter, Emily ]M., was born here in August, 1814, and here we continue to reside. I carried on a heavy and successful business in cotton, from 1809 to 1819, by commission and importation, notwithstanding that I made heavy losses by bad debts and otherwise. I continued, after 1819, to do a small business in the same line until 1827.
I must now go back a number of years, and refer to the most important subject, and the most important era of my whole protracted life, as it has reference to " the life that now is, and to that which is to come." I mean religion, and the conversion of myself, my wife, and several of my children. Laus Deo !
I hired a pew in old St. John's Church, in 1806, and purchased one in the new church, in 1810. About this time I began to be anxious as to my state, and to feel compunctions of conscience as to investing property in a church where the gospel was not preached in its spirituality. It pleased Almighty God, however, about the year 1814, to convert my minister, Dr. N. B. Crocker, and my son, Alexander (now a clergyman), and in that year my eldest daughter, Harriet, became pious, and joined the communion. (On the 14th of October, 1823, she departed and joined the church above.) Eliza R. and Alexander (three children) became communicants at this time.
In 1815 prayer meetings were established in St. John's Church, and were held at my son-in-law's, J. B. Wood's house, conducted by students of the college, Benjamin B. Smith (now bishop), Alexander J. Marshall, Cutler, etc. In the year 1815, 1 was convinced and convicted of sin, and shed floods of tears of contrition. I had imbibed the notion of natural inability and passivity — was of the opinion that salvation was all of grace — that the work of conversion was all of God, by the special operation of His Holy Spirit (which I now believe), and that, therefore, the sinner could do nothing but wait for the special operation of the Holy Ghost to compel the acceptance of proffered mercy. I became convinced that this was a great mistake, and found that religion was not to be obtained without effort, and in January and February, 1816, I began to pray, and to "work out my salvation with fear and trembling." God graciously heard my cry for mercy, pardoned my sins, and gave me "the witness of the Spirit" and the consolation of His promises, and the Saviour of sinners became precious to my soul. I believed on His name at the age of 51 years, and with my wife and my dear daughter Caroline (at the age of 14) joined the communion of St. John's, in March, 1816. In this year about 70 became members of our church. My wife had obtained hope in Christ before me, and waited to join the Holy Communion with me. I was baptized before a large congregation, and felt no reluctance to confess my blessed Lord before men. Oh ! what a precious rest to weary and heavy laden souls !
My dear daughters Mary M. and Frances Nelson joined the church a few years later, and since then two of my grandchildren, M. J. Alden and H. R. Wood, have become communicants in the Episcopal Church. "Oh ! how shall words express the gratitude I owe."
On the 16th of August, 1825, my honored mother departed this life in the 82d year of her age, having been a pious professor of religion nearly 50 years. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."
My son Joseph died in Tampico, Mexico, November 12th, 1831.
There are now six of us, brothers and sisters, Alexander, David, Hannah, Lucinda, Nancy and Wiswall, and all professors of religion.
On looking over the foregoing pages, and reviewing my long, protracted and checkered life, I can say, in the language of the holy Psalmist, "surely the goodness and mercy of God have followed me all the days of my life." To Him be honor and glory forever and ever. I can discover a protecting, superintending Providence, from my infancy to the age of 70 years, and especially in six remarkable preservations from death. My Heavenly Benefactor has prospered me in my temporal concerns, and enabled me to bring up and educate, and assist a family of eleven children. I have been highly favored, as to my health, not having been confined to a sick bed, probably, more than thirty days in seventy years. My health is as good now as at any former period. Above all, I glorify God's holy name for " Heavenly blessings in Christ Jesus," and for " a name and place among His people," and the evidence that my unworthy name is" written in heaven." Glory to God in the highest. Amen.
"My life's brief remnant all be Thine, And when Thy fixed decree Bids me this fleeting breath resign, Oil ! speed my soul to Thee."
Signed,
Alexander Jones.
The following was added afterwards :
A great calamity and distressing Providence came upon me suddenly! My beloved wife departed this life on the 5th of September, 1835, in the 62d year of her age. We had lived happily together more than 45 years. "The will of the Lord be done."
On the 16th of August, 1836, my beloved sister Hannah was called to the church in heaven.
On May 1st, 1837, I sold my estate at Bellevue to Mr. John Stimpson for about six thousand four hundred dollars, and on the 3d removed to Mr. Franklin's brick house on Westminster Street, opposite Grace Church. My daughter Ellen has kept my house since the departure of her mother to this time, January 30th, 1838.
On the 3d of April, 1838, I sold my farm in Milford, Massachusetts, to Hastings Daniels for four thousand eight hundred dollars. This farm had been in the Jones family since 1696.
On the 13th of July, 1838, I removed my family to Capt. Wilbur Kelley's house, No. 37 Benefit Street.
Signed,
Alexander Jones.
