Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Jones, Thomas (1618-1665)
JONES, THOMAS (1618–1665), civilian, born in 1618, was the son of Edward Jones of Nanteos, Cardiganshire, by his wife Margaret, daughter of James Lewis of Abernantbychan. He graduated B.A. from Oriel College, Oxford, 12 Feb. 1638–9, was the same year elected probationer fellow of Merton, proceeded M.A. 4 June 1644, and B.C.L. and D.C.L. on 18 May 1659. In 1647 he travelled in France and Italy as tutor to George, son of Sir Nathaniel Brent [q. v.], but returned ‘unfortunate as to his charge,’ and submitted to the parliamentary visitors on 6 Aug. 1649. In 1660–1 Jones unsuccessfully petitioned Charles II for confirmation in the professorship of laws which he held as deputy of Dr. Zouch, then recently dead. He urged that he had studied for several years at foreign universities, and his petition was supported by Brian Duppa, bishop of Winchester, and Dr. Thomas Clayton (Cal. State Papers, Dom. Charles II).
Jones is abused as a ‘knave and rogue’ by Wood, who was like himself a member of Merton College, for supporting the election of Dr. (afterwards Sir) Thomas Clayton [q. v.], ‘a stranger,’ as warden in 1661. According to Wood, Clayton when in office disappointed Jones of promised preferments, and his mind consequently gave way. In 1662–3 he retired to London to follow the profession of the law at Doctors' Commons, but being unsuccessful his mental derangement grew. He died of the plague in the autumn of 1665. Wood gloated over Jones's derangement, death, and unceremonious burial.
Jones was a good Greek and Hebrew scholar, and was the author of ‘Prolusiones Academicæ, seu recitationes solemnes in Titulum De Judiciis: Item theses de origine dominii et servitutis; cum oratione inaugurali,’ 3 parts, Oxford, 1660, 8vo.
[Bliss's Athenæ Oxon., Life of Wood, vol. i. pp. xlii–l, iii. 707–9; Brodrick's Memorials of Merton College, pp. 110–12, 288; Burrows's Reg. of Visitors, p. 83; Meyrick's Cardiganshire, p. 402; Cat. of Bodl. Libr. Oxford.]