Henry Berkely JONES. Born 10 January 1813, probably overseas but possibly in Anglesey.
Parents: Robert Edward JONES, christened Llanfaes 14 May 1779 (2nd son of
John Hampton Jones, of Henllys); and Susannah Dorothea WILLIAMS, christened
09 April 1787 (daughter of John WILLIAMS and Gaynor THOMAS, of Peniarth
Ucha). Married Beaumaris 22 January 1812.
Portrait painted on porcelain tile.
There is a beautiful, vibrantly coloured portrait of Henry, aged 13, dated 17 July 1826,
painted
on a porcelain tile approximately 3'' x 4", glazed, mounted in a gilded
frame. The
artist's name could be W. Corwen or Cowan or Gordon, or similar.
Might it be a tradition known in the region for a portrait to be painted on
a tile in such a fashion? Was there a regional artist at that period of
some such name? I have photographs of the tile, which cannot be attached here.
We would like to know what became of young Henry. Maybe he was sent back to
the family in Anglesey or to boarding school in about 1826, from Mauritius, for his
education or, a little later, say about 1830, for a career. His father, a military and
civil chaplain posted to Mauritius until his death in 1837, had a BA from Wadham College
Oxford but there is no record of Henry attending there.
Around 1830 is, I think, too early for shipping records to search.
Cordially,
Bill.