Rees Jones1

M, #5741, b. 31 August 1792, d. 4 April 1883
Rees Jones 1792-1883
Relationship3rd great-grandfather of Keith Graham Bassett
ChartsAncestors of Keith Graham Bassett
Last Edited24 Apr 2021
Birth*31 August 1792 Mantman, Radnorshire, Wales2 
Enlistment*1 April 1809 Radnor, Radnorshire, Wales3 
Discharge*11 January 1824 Albany Barracks, Isle of Wight;
HIS MAJESTY’S
Forty Third Regt. of Foot
Whereof General Lord Howden G.C.B. K.C. is Colonel,
THESE ARE TO CERTIFY
THAT Private Reece Jones born in the Parish of Nantman in or near the Town of Radnor in the County of Radnor was enlisted for the aforesaid Regiment at Radnor in the County of Radnor on the First Day of April 1809 at the Age of Eighteen for Unlimited Service
THAT he hath served in the Army for the space of Fourteen Years and 337 Days after the Age of Eighteen, according to the subjoined
STATEMENT OF SERVICE
IN WHAT CORPS: 43rd Foot
PERIOD IF SERVICE: Fro 1st April 1809 To 2 March 1824
Corporal: 1 Yr 237 Days
Private: 13 Yrs 100 Days
Total Service: 14 Yrs 337 Days
THAT by Authority of the Commander in Chief dated Horse Guards 27th Decr 1823 HE IS HEREBY DISCHARGED in consequence of loss of vision of left Eye & slight opacity of the Right cornea from Ophthalmia
THAT he is not to my knowledge, incapacitated by the Sentence of a General Court Martial, from receiving Pension.
THAT his general Conduct as a Soldier has been Very Good
THAT he has received all just Demands of Pay, Clothing, &c. from his Entry into the Service to the date of this Discharge, as appears by his Receipt underneath.
I Private Reece Jones do hereby acknowledge that I have received all my Clothing, Pay, Arrears of Pay, and all just Demands whatsoever, from the time of my Entry into the Service to the time of this Discharge.
Certified by W Kersteman Capt 43rd Regt Signature of Soldier Rees Jones
To prevent any improper use being made of this Discharge, by its falling into other Hands, the following is a Description of the said Private Reece Jones
He is about Thirty Three Years of Age, is Five Feet Eight Inches in height, Dark Brown Hair, Blue Eyes, Dark Complexion, and by Trade or Occupation a Labourer
Under my hand, and the Seal of the Depot, at Albany Barracks this 11th Day of January 1824
Signature of Commanding Officer, W Kersteman Capt. Comdg. Depot 43rd Regt3 
Note*3 March 1824 
Examination of Invalid Soldiers on Wednesday the 3rd of March 1824
Regiments: 43rd Foot, Lord Kewden
Names: Rees Jones, O P from 1 April 1840, Private
Age: 33
Corporal: 1 year 8 months
Private: 13 years 3 months
Total Service: 14 years 11 months
Rate per Day: 1s
Complaint: Loss of Vision of left Eye & Slight Opacity of the right cornea from Ophthalmia
Where born: Nantman, Radnor
Trade or Occupation: Laborer
Height: 5 ft 8 in
Hair: D brown
Eyes: blue
Complexion: dark4 
Note 
Name: Jones, Rees
Size at enlistment: 5 ft 5 in
Size at 24 years of Age: 5 ft 8 in
Age at Enlistment: 18
Complexion: dark
Eyes: Blue
Hair: dark Brown
Form of Visage, Marks, &c.: Long
Where Born: Nantman near Reyther, Radnor
Trade or Occupation: Laborer
Attestation Place: Bexhile
Attestation Date: 1st April 1809
For what Period of Service: Seven years, re-enlisted for Life at Bapaunor
By whom enlisted: Lieutt. Bevan5 
Marriage*19 May 1826 St Padarn, Llanbadarn Fawr, Radnorshire, Wales;
Rees Jones of the Parish of Llanbadarn Vawr
and Jane Vaughan of the Parish of Llandegley
were married in this Church by Banns with Consent of Parents this 19th day of May in the Year One Thousand eight hundred and Twenty Six
By me L. P. Jones Curate
This Marriage was solemnized between us:
Rees Jones
Jane Vaughan by Mark
In the Presence of:
Edwd Morgan
John Rogers;Bride=Jane Vaughan6 
News-Arct*11 September 1839 "The Morning Chronicle", London;
FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA and PORT PHILIP, calling at Plymouth to embark passengers, (under engagement with her Majesty’s Colonisation Commissioners to sail 5th October), the fine fast-sailing teak-built ship RAJASTHAN, A 1, coppered and copper-fastened, DUNCAN RITCHIE, Commander, 700 tons register, lying in St. Katharine’s Dock. Parties proceeding to either of the above colonies are invited to inspect the superior poop and intermediate cabins of this splendid and favourite passenger ship; will carry an experienced surgeon.-For freight or passage apply to Henry Roxby. 46, Lime-street; H. J. Blaksley, 2, New City chambers; or to Tinkler and Hancock, at the South Australian Agency office, 17, St. Dunstan’s-hill, Tower-street.;Principal=Jane Vaughan7 
Immigration*6 February 1840 "Rajasthan", Port Adelaide, SA, Australia;
The RAJASTHAN left London Oct 27, 1839 via The Downs with Captain Duncan Ritchie, and arrived Port Adelaide on February 6th, 1840
JONES, Rees, wife and children, Penybont, Radnorshire, Ag. lab
males 46, 12, 4, 1
females 40, 8, 4;Immigrant=Jane Vaughan, Immigrant=John Jones, Immigrant=Mary Jones, Immigrant=Enoch Jones, Immigrant=Elinor Jones8 
Note5 April 1852 Adelaide, SA, Australia;
JONES Rees consigned 11 oz ogf gold which arrived by escort 2 on 5-5-18529 
News-Arct24 February 1859 "The South Australian Advertiser", Adelaide, SA, Australia;
HINDMARSH.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21.
Present-Messrs. L. Scammell (Chairman), J. Pickering, W. Langman, P. Dungey, and John Maley.
Rees Jones was appointed Poundkeeper, and recommended for auctioneer's licence.10 
News-Arct11 April 1860 "The South Australian Advertiser", Adelaide, SA, Australia;
CLEARED.
Tuesday, April 10-Omeo, steamer, 1,000 tons, John McLean, master, for Melbourne. Passengers …. Enoch Jones, Rees Jones, ….;Principal=Enoch Jones11 
News-Arct13 April 1860 "The South Australian Advertiser", Adelaide, SA, Australia;
DISTRICT COUNCILS.
HINDMARSH.
MONDAY, APRIL 9.
Present-J. Pickering (Chairman), W. Langman, J. Copley, and Thomas Stanford.
Mr. Adolphus Valentine Wyatt was appointed poundkeeper, in place of Rees Jones, resigned.12 
News-Arct29 December 1871 Town Hall, Adelaide, SA, Australia;
OLD COLONISTS' BANQUET.
Thursday, the 28th December, 1871, will be marked in future as the day on which the largest number of old South Australian colonists perhaps that ever assembled at the same time met at the Town Hall, Adelaide. The occasion was a banquet given by Mr. Emanuel Solomon, who, to use his own words, felt desirous, as one of the pioneers of South Australia, once more to meet some of his old associates. He therefore requested all colonists who dated their arrival before 1841 to forward their names to him in order that he might have the pleasure of issuing an invitation to them to be present at the banquet he intended giving. It may be remarked that although a large number would be well known, there were others who might since the early days have been widely separated, and whom recollection would not serve to identify. The character of the gathering which took place demonstrated how truly the idea had been carried out, for never did a company more representative of all classes, and we might add the best classes of the community— those who have laboured hard, and borne the heat and burden of the day — sit down together. The feelings with which the kindness and munificence of the generous host were regarded are testified in the speeches recorded below, the sentiments of which will doubtless be echoed in many hearts beyond the persons who were actually present. There were over 520 invitations issued, and very nearly that number assembled in the hall, where the doors were opened at precisely 8 o'clock, and the guests sat down to tables bountifully and elegantly spread by Mr. Aldridge in his best style. The Host, Mr. Emanuel Solomon, presided. He was flanked on the right by Sir John Morphett, the Hons. A. Blyth, C. Mann, H. Ayers, T. Hogarth, J. Crozier, W. Parkin, Messrs. J. H. Barrow, M.P., Jno. Brown, and His Worship the Mayor (Mr. A. H. F. Bartels); on the left by Sir G. S. Kingston, the Hons. W. Milne, J. Hart, M.P., T. Reynolds, M. P., Messrs. J. Solomon, E. W. Andrews, J. Formby, P. Santo, C. S. Hare, Benjamin Wickham, Messrs. Judah Moss Solomon, and John Hindmarsh, of Encounter Bay, acting as croupiers. The other tables, six in number, were presided over by the Revs. A. T. Boas, J. C. Woods, Robt. Haining, and Messrs. W. Duffield, W. Harcus, J. Stow, W. K. Simms, M.P., A. G. Downer, J. New man, W. H. Formby, and M. MacDermott. An efficient band, under Mr. Chapman, discoursed lively music at appropriate times during the evening.
As the record may be interesting and valuable in future years, we append the names of those who were invited to the banquet. It will be seen that they are not exclusively those who can claim to be colonists from the year named, but most of those who are entitled to that distinction will be found included in the list : —
R. Jones

13
Rees Jones - courtesy State Library of South Australia - B 47769/4A
Death*4 April 1883 Hindmarsh, SA, Australia;
When Died: 4 April 1883
Name and Surname: Rees Jones
Sex: Male
Age: 91 yrs
Rank or Profession: Gardener
Usual residence: Hindmarsh
Birthplace and Length of Residence in Commonwealth:
Age at Marriage or Re-marriage:
Number of Issue Living M/F:
Number of Issue Deceased M/F:
Cause of Death: Prostate disease
Place where Death Occurred: Hindmarsh
Signature, Description and Residence of Informant: Thomas Elliott, Undertaker, Bowden14 
News-Arct*5 April 1883 "The South Australian Register", Adelaide, SA, Australia;
THE Friends of the late Mr. REES JONES are respectfully informed that his Remains will be Removed from his late Residence, Port-road, Hindmarsh, on Friday, April 6, at 2.30, for Hindmarsh Cemetery.
THOS. ELLIOTT, Undertaker.15 
News-Arct5 April 1883 "The Evening Journal", Adelaide, SA, Australia;
DUKE OF SUSSEX LODGE, G.U.O.O.F.—Members of the above Lodge and Order are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of their late Brother REES JONES, whose REMAINS will he conveyed from his late RESIDENCE, near Hope Inn, Hindmarsh, To-morrow (Friday), 6th inst., at half-past 2 o'clock p.m., for Interment in the Hindmarsh Cemetery.
JAMES NOTTAGE, Finance Secretary.16 
Obituary14 April 1883 "The South Australian Weekly Chronicle", Adelaide, SA, Australia;
DEATH OF A VETERAN.
Our Hindmarsh correspondent sends us the following: — Whilst the names of the Duke of Wellington and Napoleon the first are fresh in our memories, the names of those under their command who so nobly fought and fell in defence of their respective countries have perished. One of the latter has just passed away in the person of Mr. Rees Jones, a Waterloo veteran, who died at his late residence, Hindmarsh, on Wednesday, April 4, at the advanced age of 91 years and 7 months. Mr. Jones is justly entitled to be called a veteran of Waterloo, although he did not actually take part in the engagement. He, however, served through the Peninsular war under Wellington, and proved himself to be a valiant soldier. Mr. Jones was born in the village of Mantman, Radnor, Wales, August 31, 1792. In early life he followed the profession of gardening, but having a liking for military pursuits, joined the militia, in which he served but a short time, and subsequently enlisted in the 43rd Regiment of foot. At the time that he joined the regulars his age was about eighteen years, his manly appearance favoring his acceptance. He served in the army as a private for a period of thirteen years and three months, and as a corporal one year and eight months, his total service being fourteen years and eleven months. In that period he went through a large amount of active service. He went with an expedition to America, and was also one of the ill-fated Walcheren expedition, which was sent off the coast of the Netherlands under the command of the Earl of Chatham. He likewise took part in the following battles: — Cuidad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, Rivelle [sic], and Toulouse, for each of which he received a silver clasp and a silver medal for general service. Altogether he had taken part in eight general engagements and a number of skirmishes, but through some inadvertence of the imperial department was only credited with six engagements. His regiment came up too late to take part in the memorable battle of Waterloo, but was present at the capitulation of Paris. After faithfully serving his king and country for nearly fifteen years he was discharged from the army on pension owing to blindness of the left eye, which was attributable to one of the engagements in which he took a part. The recital of battle scenes that he played a part in, and his hair-breadth escapes, were themes on which he delighted to talk about. On one occasion when out reconnoitering early one morning he and his comrades suddenly became aware that they were targets for the enemy. Two of them were shot down, and but for the protection that a sapling afforded him Jones himself would have been killed. Behind that tree he stood for a considerable time, whilst the bullets were flying like hail. He by some means found an opportunity for escape and ran towards his companions— who were not so far advanced as he was— who, supposing him to be one of the enemy, treated him with a volley before he could make himself known. Fortunately he escaped injury, but a portion of his clothes was torn by some of the shots. On another occasion his knapsack was torn from his back by a cannon shot. Numerous incidents similar to the foregoing could be related of him in connection with the encounters in which he took a part, the result of which left honorable scars about his body. Mr. Jones was first allowed a pension on March 3, 1824, and was in receipt of such up to the end of June of the present year, the custom of the department being to pay quarterly in advance. The authority for his pension was dated at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, so far back as 1839; but the date on which his pension commenced was five years later. He has however, been in receipt of such for a period of sixty years, which is a most unusual thing. Mr. Joseph Clarke, paymaster of Imperial pensions and allowances, by whose courtesy much information respecting the veteran has been received, says that Mr. Jones was the most remarkable man, considering his age, that he had seen. The last time he called at the office for his pension he informed Mr. Clarke that he had walked from his residence, Hindmarsh, to Walkerville, and from that place to the office, and prided himself on the performance of such a feat, and with true soldierly bearing straightened himself and marched out of the office as sprightly as a young recruit. On looking over the recorded list of pensioners who were in receipt of pension in 1850, Mr Clarke finds that there are only two left. The one being Mr. John Coles, of Penwortham, late of the Royal Regiment of Sappers and Miners, commanded by the Master-General of Ordnance, Sir Geo. Murray, in which he (Coles) served seven years and eleven months, and who was pensioned in 1843, and whose age now is sixty years. The other. Mr. Joseph Smith, of Redbanks, late of the Royal navy, in which he served twenty-one years and seven months, and was allowed a pension in July, 1843, his age now being eighty-six years. The only Waterloo veteran now living in the Australian colonies is Mr. William Smith, who served in the 14th Regiment of foot. His age is eighty-five years, and strange to say it is only within the last few years that he has been in receipt of a pension. But to return to the late Mr. Jones. Nothing is known of him from the time he was discharged until his arrival in South Australia, February 8, 1840, when he settled at Hindmarsh. On the outbreak of the Victorian diggings he tried his luck there and was fairly successful; and even so late as the Snowy River diggings considered himself equal to the occasion, but only shared the misfortunes of others. Having been of frugal habits he saved a little money and judiciously put it out at interest, and that, with his pension (£18 5s. per annum), was the means of supporting himself and wife. He was a very unobtrusive man, and was highly esteemed by those with whom he came in contact. He has left a wife 86 years of age, two sons, one daughter, nineteen grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. The deceased was buried at the Hindmarsh Cemetery on Friday, April 6, with military honors.2 
Obituary14 April 1883 "South Australian Register";
DEATH OF A VETERAN. — As our obituary columns have intimated that on April 4 Mr. Rees Jones died suddenly at his residence, Port-road, Hindmarsh, at the advanced age of ninety-one. The deceased gentleman had seen a good deal of service with the Forty third Regiment of Foot, having clasps for service at Cuidad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, Nivelle, and Toulouse. He was also in the reserve forces at Waterloo, but the regiment did not reach the battlefield in time to take part in the action He was also in the expeditionary force that was sent to America, and on returning thence the regiment was ordered to Paris, and remained there some time after the capitulation of that city. Mr. Jones, who had been a colonist forty years, has not taken any active, part in public affairs in South Australia, but yet was well known and much respected. His funeral took place on Friday afternoon at Hindmarsh Cemetery, the service being conducted by Mr. Thomas Lees, pastor of the Christian Church, Hindmarsh-place, of which the deceased had been a member for several years. A firing party from the Hindmarsh G Company, L.V.F., fired a parting volley over the grave. The surviving widow is over eighty-five years of age, and is still very active. We may add that Mr. Jones was in the receipt of a well-earned pension from the War Office Department.17 

Family

Jane Vaughan b. c 1800, d. 20 Dec 1885
Children

Citations

  1. [S1239] South Australian Marriage Registrations 1842-1916, John Jones & Ann Madegin 1863.
  2. [S1565] Trove digitised newspapers, online http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/, "The South Australian Weekly Chronicle", Saturday, April 14, 1883.
  3. [S1680] Findmypast British Army Service Records 1760-1915, online http://www.findmypast.com/, Reece Jones discharge 1824.
  4. [S1681] Ancestry UK Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioner Admission and Discharges 1715-1925, online https://ancestry.com, Rees Jones 1824.
  5. [S1682] Ancestry Canada, British Regimental Registers of Service1756-1900, online https://ancestry.com, 43rd Foot Soldiers - Rees Jones.
  6. [S1645] Findmypast Radnorshire Marriages, online http://www.findmypast.com/, Rees Jones & Jane Vaughan 1826.
  7. [S1688] Findmypast British newspapers, online http://www.findmypast.com/, The Morning Chronicle, September 11, 1839.
  8. [S1705] The Rajasthan: the ship, her passengers and voyages to South Australia 1838 & 1839-40 by Helen Scarborough.
  9. [S1309] Family History South Australia.
  10. [S1565] Trove digitised newspapers, online http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/, The South Australian Advertiser, Thursday, February 24, 1859.
  11. [S1565] Trove digitised newspapers, online http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/, The South Australian Advertiser, Wednesday, April 11, 1860.
  12. [S1565] Trove digitised newspapers, online http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/, "The South Australian Advertiser", Friday, April 13, 1860.
  13. [S1565] Trove digitised newspapers, online http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/, The South Australian Register, Friday, December 29, 1871.
  14. [S1556] South Australian Death Registrations transcript (Keith Bassett), Rees Jones 1883.
  15. [S1565] Trove digitised newspapers, online http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/, The South Australian Register, Thursday, April 5, 1883.
  16. [S1565] Trove digitised newspapers, online http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/, The Evening Journal, Thursday, April 5, 1883.
  17. [S1470] NLA Australian Newspapers (Trove), online http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/
  18. [S1690] Findmypast Radnorshire Baptisms, online http://www.findmypast.com/, John Jones 1827.
  19. [S1690] Findmypast Radnorshire Baptisms, online http://www.findmypast.com/, Mary Jones 1831.
  20. [S1737] Ancestry England & Wales, Non-Conformist and Non-Parochial Registers, 1567-1970, online https://ancestry.com, baptism Noah Jones 1835.
  21. [S1737] Ancestry England & Wales, Non-Conformist and Non-Parochial Registers, 1567-1970, online https://ancestry.com, baptism Elinor Jones 1835.
  22. [S1690] Findmypast Radnorshire Baptisms, online http://www.findmypast.com/, Enoch Jones 1838.