Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Jones, Basset
JONES, BASSET (fl. 1634–1659), physician and grammarian, born about 1616, was son of Richard Jones of Michaelston-super-Ely, Glamorganshire, by Jane, daughter of Thomas Basset of Miskin in the same county. He apparently entered Jesus College, Oxford, in 1634. Afterwards he travelled on the continent, studied physic and chemistry, and probably took a medical degree, as he is generally described as ‘doctor.’ After his return he published a Latin treatise entitled ‘Lapis Chymicus Philosophorum Examini subjectus,’ Oxford, 1648, 8vo. A shield with his arms and motto (‘Duw ar fy rhan’) appears on the title-page. He seems to have retired to Glamorganshire, for in 1650 he is mentioned in certain articles exhibited against Colonel Phillip Jones [q. v.] as being prepared to supply evidence against him. In 1653 he acted on behalf of his father as lessee of a part of the manor of Wrinston in the county of Glamorgan, and petitioned Oliver Cromwell for its recovery from Colonel Jones. A statement of the case was subsequently published under the title of ‘The Copy of a Petition …,’ London, 1654, 4to. Jones owned land in Breconshire also, being lord of a part of the manor of Penkelly (Harleian MS. 6108, fol. 51). While in retirement he wrote a work on grammar, recommended as containing ‘much rationality’ by William Dugard [q. v.], head-master of the Merchant Taylors' School. Its title is ‘Hermæologium; or an Essay at the Rationality of the Art of Speaking, as a supplement to Lillie's Grammar, Philosophically, Mythologically, and Emblematically offered by B. J.,’ London, 1659, 8vo. In a Latin address at the end, signed ‘Basset Joanesius,’ the volume is dedicated to the master and professors of the university of Franeker in Holland, where probably he had previously been a student. He seems to have been author of an ‘englyn’ inscribed on a mural monument in the church of Michaelston-super-Ely to the memory of his father, who died 21 April 1658 (Archæologia Cambrensis for 1889, pp. 198–213).
[Wood's Athenæ Oxon. iii. 491; Clark's Genealogies of Glamorgan, p. 120; Grant-Francis's Charters of Swansea, pp. 171, 181; copy of Petition, ut supra.]