I recently did extensive research into Theophilius Jones. The following research report was written based on this research.
I want to thank a distant cousin, Jill, who posted photos of Theophilius John Jones and his wife Harriet Chapman.
 |
| Theophilius John Jones |
 |
| Harriet Chapman |
Research Report
on Theophilius Jones
By Nicol Montero
11 May 2016
Research Objective:
The objective of this research is to confirm the parents of Theophilius Jones, and build his ancestry.
Background:
Theophilius Jones was born 15 March 1802 in London, England. He married Harriet Chapman about 1825 in London, England. Family Lore has that Theophilius’s parents are Theophilius Jones (born about 1770) and Mary Price from Carmarthenshire, Wales.
Theophilius Jones & Harriet Chapman
To begin, documents confirming the ancestral Theophilius Jones was searched in order to glean further information. This resulted in the baptismal record (document 1) or Theophilius Jones.1 He was born 15 March 1802 and was baptized 27 days later on 11 April 1802 in Holy Trinity in the Minories, London City, London, England. The Holy Trinity, Minories, was an Anglican parish church outside of the eastern boundaries of London.2 It was used from the 15th century to the end of the 19th century. It was later destroyed during World War II. His parents are listed as Theophilus and Sarah Jones. (To lesson confusion, the father, Theophilus Jones will be listed as senior for the remainder of this report).
A search for the marriage between Theophilius Jones and Harriet Chapman resulted in their marriage record (document 2).3 The marriage was preformed on 19 September 1825 after their banns were met. The banns were announcements made at church and the purpose was to enable anyone to raise concern before the marriage was performed. Theophilius and Harriet were married in the Christ Church Parish, London, England. It should be noted that one of the witnesses for this union was James Chapman which may or may not be Harriet's father. Further investigation would be needed to confirm this. Often records of the banns can be found showing the dates when the banns were read. A search was made but no result of their banns was found at this time.
While searching for the ancestral Theophilius Jones's baptism record, a result returned with a baptismal record (document 3) for his son, Theophilius Henry Jones.4 He was christened on 29 December 1847 in St. Mary's, Lambeth, Surrey, England. His parents are listed as Theophilius John Jones and Harriet. With the middle name of John for the ancestral Theophilius, this may help find other sources for him. This is an index of a record, future recommendations should include obtaining the microfilm and viewing the original record.
Theophilius Jones (Senior) and Sarah Childress
Knowing the names of Theophilius's parents based off his baptismal record, a search was made to find them in the marriage records. Theophilius Jones (Senior) married Sarah Childress on 25 March 1799 in Saint Leonard, Shoreditch, London, England (document 4).5 Both Theophilius (Senior) and Sarah Childress, who left her mark, are listed as being from the parish they married in. Also, one of the witnesses on the marriage record is a Sarah Jones which could be Theophilius's (Senior) mother.
With the given information that Theophilius (Senior) Jones was from Carmarthenshire, Wales, a search into baptism records was made to gain further information. Theophilius Jones (Senior) was baptized in Trelech a'r Betws, Carmarthenshire, Wales- 11 August 1769 and father is William Jones (document 5).6 No mother is listed. An additional search returned with the burial information for Theophilius Jones (Senior). He was buried on 21 April 1851 in Llanwinio, Carmarthenshire, Wales (document 6).7 He is listed as 82 years old, which confirms the birth year as 1769.
A similar search was performed for Sarah Childress in both Wales and England, but no results are found at this time.
Conclusion:
The parents of Theophilius John Jones are Theophilis Jones (Senior) and Sarah Childress as per Throphilius's baptismal record. Theophilius Jones (Senior) was born in 1769, being christened on 11 August in Trelech a'r Betws, Carmarthenshire, Wales. He was buried on 21 April 1851 in Llanwinio, Carmarthenshire, Wales. His parents are William Jones and probably Sarah based on a Sarah Jones being a witness at Theophilius Jones (Senior)'s wedding.
Recommendations:
- Obtain the microfilm and view the original baptism record for Theophilius Henry Jones, son of the ancestral Theophilius Jones to confirm information on the indexed record.
- Sarah Childress is said to be born in Wales with no information on who her family is. It is recommended to search for birth/christening records (years 1770 to 1780) in the London, England area since that is where she married and had Theophilius John Jones.
- No siblings are listed for Theophilius John Jones. It is recommended to search birth and christening records in London, England for children with the parents Theophilius (Senior) and Sarah Jones. With his parent's marriage in early 1799, Theophilius John Jones is likely the oldest children. Searches should begin in 1803. Searches should also include the Carmarthenshire, Wales area since the family moved back at some point.
- James Chapman is listed on Theophilius John Jones and Harriet Chapman's marriage record. This may be her father. Recommendations to search the London area about 1800 (+6 years/-20 years) for marriage records for James Chapman and baptism records about 1770 (+/- 20 years).
- Search the Carmarthenshire, Wales marriage records for William Jones and Sarah. Approximately 1745 to 1768. This should help confirm if Sarah is indeed Theophilius's (Senior) mother.
Documents:
 |
| Document 1-- Theophilius Jones (Jr.) Baptism Record |
 |
| Document 2- Marriage record for Theophilius Jones and Harriet Chapman |
 |
| Document 3- Baptism record for Theophilius Henry Jones, son of Theophilus John Jones and Harriet Chapman |
 |
| Document 4- marriage document for Theophilius Jones (Senior) and Sarah Childress |
 |
| Document 5- Baptism record for Theophilus Jones (Senior) son of William Jones |
 |
| Document 6- Burial Record for Theophilius Jones (Senior) |
Footnotes:
1. England, “Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975,” database, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com: accessed 11 May 2016), Entry for Theophilus Jones, 1802
2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Holy_Trinity,_Minories
3 England, “London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1921 ,” database, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com: accessed 11 May 2016), Entry for Thephilus Jones and Harriet Chapman, 1825
4 England, “England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975,” database, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com: accessed 11 May 2016), Theophilus John Jones in entry for Theophilus Henry Jones, 1847
5England, “England, Select Marriages, 1538–1973 ,” database, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com: accessed 11 May 2016), Entry for Theophilius Jones and Sarah Childress, 1799
6 Wales, “Carmarthen Baptisms Transcription,” database, Find My Past(www.findmypast.com: accessed 11 May 2016), Entry for Theophilius Jones, 1769
7 Wales, “Carmarthen Burial Transcription,” database, Find My Past(www.findmypast.com: accessed 11 May 2016), Entry for Theophilius Jones, 1851
No comments:
Post a Comment