John William Jones

Biography

John William Jones was born in 1806 and emerged as a devoted clergyman whose sermons blended spiritual care with careful attention to the unfolding history around him. As a historian he gathered narratives of the pioneers and settlers of the South, ensuring their stories would not be lost.

He encouraged congregations to look beyond their own parishes, supported educational efforts for young people, and wrote with a historian's eye while never losing the pastor's compassion; his labors are commemorated in Oakland Cemetery.