Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Jones, William Arthur
JONES, WILLIAM ARTHUR (1818–1873), unitarian minister, born 1 May 1818 at Carmarthen, was the youngest son of William Jones, corn merchant, of Carmarthen. He was educated at Carmarthen College and at Glasgow University, where he graduated M.A. with honours in 1841. He entered the unitarian ministry, and was first settled at Northampton, where he remained from 1842 to 1849. He became an intimate friend of George Baker (1781–1851) [q. v.], the Northamptonshire antiquary. In 1849 he removed to Bridgwater, Somerset, and in 1852 became minister to the unitarian congregation meeting in the Mary Street Chapel at Taunton. He soon afterwards became honorary secretary of the Somerset Archæological and Natural History Society, and held the office until his death, contributing to its ‘Proceedings’ many papers on the geology, archæology, and history of the county. He also succeeded in establishing at Taunton a successful school of science and art, to which he was honorary secretary. His energy led to the opening of the grammar school to those of all religious denominations. In politics he was a liberal. In 1866 he resigned the unitarian pulpit, and after a residence of two years on the continent definitively gave up the ministry, although continuing a member of the community. He thenceforth devoted himself exclusively to the affairs of Taunton, and to literary and scientific studies. He became a fellow of the Geological Society, and compiled, with the Rev. Wadham P. Williams, vicar of Bishop's-Hull, a ‘Glossary of the Somersetshire Dialect.’ He died on 23 April 1873. A monument was erected to his memory in the grounds of Taunton Castle.
Jones married, first, Mary, sister of William Fitchett Cuff, esq., of Merriott, Somerset, who died within a year of marriage without issue; and, secondly, Margaret, sister of William Blake, J.P., of South Petherton, Somerset, who died before him, leaving issue.
[Personal knowledge.]