Evan Phillips JONES (1858-1952)

Evan Phillips Jones (1858-1952) was the father of Juliet Sladden’s schoolfriend, Vera.

Evan Jones was born at Bettws Leiki, Cardiganshire, on 1st June 1858, the third of five children of John Jones, a farmer, and his wife, Elizabeth (née Phillips).  Evan’s father died when he was still a child; at the time of the 1871 census, Evan’s mother was looking after the farm, Trefran, in Bettws Leiki.

Evan became a Clergyman in the established church.  On 19th April 1898, he married Jane Evans-Cunningham at St John’s Church, Llanaber, Merionethshire.  Evan was described as a Clerk in Holy Orders living at Trevigan, Monington.  They had two children:  Vera Elizabeth Cunningham Jones (1899-1985) and Robert Cunningham Jones (1900-1972).  The family was still at Monington in 1911.  It is probable that Evan was also Vicar of the neighbouring parish of Moylgrove.

The Sladden family holidayed in the area in August 1914 and Kathleen Sladden described having tea at Moylgrove Vicarage.  The 1911 census reveals that he spoke both Welsh and English, but Kathleen Sladden, in a letter of 23rd August 1914, revealed that she struggled to understand his English.

Evan Jones’ wife died in 1933.  At the time of the 1939 register he was living at Cemaes, Pembrokeshire.  Aged 84, he married for a second time in 1943 to Rachel Elizabeth Johnson.

Evan Jones died on 7th March 1952, aged 93.  He was living at Glanywerydd, Parrog, Newport, at the time, and was buried at Newport.