William Martin Jones papers
Creator: Jones, Martin William, 1841-1906
Call Number: D.162
Dates: 1860-1902
Physical Description: 0.37 Cubic feet
Language(s): Materials are in English
Repository: Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Table of Contents:

Biographical/Historical Note
Scope and Content
Arrangement
Subject(s)
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Access
Use
Citation
Content List
Series I: Business correspondence
Series II: Personal correspondence
Subseries I: Correspondence, Gertrude Jones, 1871-1902
Subseries II: Correspondence, family and friends, 1886-undated
Series III: Photographs
Collection Overview
Title: William Martin Jones papers
Creator: Jones, Martin William, 1841-1906
Call Number: D.162
Dates: 1860-1902
Physical Description: 0.37 Cubic feet
Language(s): Materials are in English
Repository: Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Biographical/Historical Note
William Martin Jones was born in Manlius, New York, on July 24, 1841. His father, Thomas P. Jones, was a native of South Wales, and his mother, Lodoiska Butler, was born at Crown Point, New York. In his early years, Jones and his family moved to Knowlesville, New York, where he spent his childhood. When the Civil War began, Jones' intent to attend Yale College was disrupted by his meeting with Edwin D. Morgan, the war governor of New York, leading to the Jones' placement in a two-year position as Morgan's private secretary while he was United States senator. In 1864, Jones became the private secretary to William H. Seward, then Secretary of State, and to his son, Frederick W. Seward. His efficiency in this position led to his promotion to the position of chief clerk of the Consular Bureau in the State Department. During this time, Jones wrote extensively to United States consuls who were stationed all over the world in order to maintain the security of national affairs. In 1865, Jones was present in Ford's Theatre and sat near President Lincoln shortly before his assassination. After the war ended in 1866, Jones resigned from his position as US chief clerk and was placed by President Johnson as US consul at Clifton, Canada for five years. In 1871, Jones established himself as a lawyer in Rochester, New York, and soon after married Gertrude M. Nicholls (c. 1844-?) of Buffalo, New York, with whom he had three children; Abram, William Martin Jr., and Minnie. Jones was a member of the order of Good Templars and became the Grand Chief Templar of the State of New York in 1879. Jones supported the prohibition party, the implementation of the gold standard, and in 1889 ran for governor of New York. Jones died in Rochester on May 3, 1906.

Scope and Content
The William Martin Jones collection (1865-1902) consists of business correspondence and personal correspondence. The business correspondence mostly relates to consular affairs, written to William Martin Jones between 1865 and 1869. There are two signatures of William Henry Seward, President Lincoln's Secretary of State, included in the collection. One dates from May 13, 1873- June 28, 1875. The second dates from November 29, 1880- August 25, 1883. There are also two bound volumes of correspondence written by Jones. Correspondence in both the files and bound volumes include letters written to and from H. Sargent, George Smith, Sidney Barrett, and Edwin Dennison Morgan. Personal correspondence includes letters addressed to William Martin Jones' wife, Gertrude M. Nicholls of Buffalo, New York, with the exception of three letters written to Jones by family and friends.

Arrangement
Series I: Business correspondence: Arranged in chronological order

Series II: Personal correspondence: Arranged in chronological order

Subseries I: Gertrude Jones

Subseries II: Family and friends

Subject(s):
Diplomatic and consular service, American
Correspondence
Jones, Martin William, 1841-1906
Diplomats
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The correspondence in the William Martin Jones Papers was purchased at the Gansz Auction, Jones-Reber House, Canandaigua, New York, on July 12, 1981. The two bound volumes were made a gift by John Welles Brainard on June 7, 2014. Cabinet card acquired in 2020.Access
The William Martin Jones papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.Use
Reproductions are made upon request but can be subject to restrictions. Permission to publish materials from the collection must currently be requested. Please note that some materials may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the researcher's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections. For more information contact rarebks@library.rochester.eduCitation
[Item title, item date], William Martin Jones papers, D.162, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Administrative Information
Author: Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
Publisher: Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Address:
Rush Rhees Library
Second Floor, Room 225
Rochester, NY 14627-0055
rarebks@library.rochester.edu
URL:


Content List