Jones, Solomon

  • DICTIONARY OF CANADIAN BIOGRAPHY ARTICLE: Dennis Carter-Edwards, “JONES, SOLOMON,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 6, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003–. https://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/jones_solomon_6E.html
  • DCB profile:
    • Physician, office holder, politician, jp, judge, and militia officer; b. c. 1756 in New Jersey, youngest son of – Jones and Sarah Dunham; m. Mary Tunnicliffe, daughter of a prominent New York landholder, and they had three daughters and four sons; d. 21 Sept. 1822 in what is now Maitland, Ont.
    • When Solomon Jones was a child the family moved from New Jersey to the Hudson River, settling near Fort Edward, N.Y., at the conclusion of the Seven Years’ War. While his brothers were developing their prosperous farms, Solomon was studying medicine at Albany. The Joneses were ardent tories and, early in the American revolution, they joined with other loyalists in offering their services to the British commander at Crown Point, N.Y.
    • Solomon became a surgeon’s mate in his brother Jonathan’s company of the King’s Loyal Americans, later called Jessup’s Rangers. The Jones family took an active part in John Burgoyne’s Saratoga campaign and were thus forced to flee north to British lines after the defeat in 1777. During the remainder of the war, Solomon was able to improve his medical skills by treating the loyalists at the various refugee camps as well as by serving in the field. He was also able to obtain further medical training at Montreal.
    • At the end of the war, the loyalist corps were disbanded and given grants of land. Jones obtained 1,000 acres in Township No.7 (Augusta), in what was then western Quebec.  However, his medical skill, unstinting generosity to those in need, and loyalty to the crown soon brought him recognition. In 1788 he was appointed surgeon to the local militia and by 1794 had become clerk to the district land board.
    • He was made a justice of the peace in 1796 and the same year was elected to the Upper Canadian House of Assembly for the riding of Leeds and Frontenac. At the end of his term as an assemblyman, he faced a turning-point in his career. In 1799 he applied, unsuccessfully, for the position of hospital mate at Kingston. However, later that year he was appointed a justice of the peace for the recently created Johnstown District and in 1800 he was sent a commission making him a judge of the District Court. He thereafter committed his talents and energies entirely to the needs of the region.
  • United Empire Loyalist listed in Loyalist Directory: https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=4314
  • Find a GRAVE: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/42493466/solomon-jones