Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Jones, Theophilus (1758-1812)
JONES, THEOPHILUS (1758–1812), historian of Brecknockshire, born on 18 Oct. 1758, was son of Hugh Jones, successively vicar of Llangammarch and Llywell, Brecknockshire, and a prebendary of the collegiate church of Brecon. For many years he practised as a solicitor in Brecon, but upon being appointed deputy-registrar of the archdeaconry of Brecon, he disposed of his business that he might have the requisite leisure for the compilation of his ‘History of the County of Brecknock,’ 2 vols. 4to, Brecknock, 1805–1809, a model of its kind. He also published a few antiquarian communications to magazines, and two papers in the ‘Cambrian Register.’ It was his intention, had health permitted, to write a history of Radnorshire, and he began a translation of Ellis Wynn's romance, ‘Gweledigaethau y Bardd Cwsg,’ or ‘Visions of the Sleeping Bard.’ A letter by him on the Donne family appears in ‘Notes and Queries,’ 2nd ser. p. 241. He died on 15 Jan. 1812, and was buried in the church of Llangammarch.
[Williams's Eminent Welshmen, 1852, p. 261.]