Jones, Anson, 1798-1858

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President of Texas (Republic), physician, and a public official of Texas (Republic).

From the description of Grant of Anson Jones, 1845. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79423856

Anson Jones (1798-1858) was a doctor, congressman, diplomatic minister, and President of the Republic of Texas. Son of Solomon and Sarah (Strong) Jones, he was born in Massachusetts and practiced medicine in New York and Pennsylvania. Jones practiced medicine in Venezuela from 1824 to 1826 to raise money for medical school. The next year he returned to Pennsylvannia to earn an M.D. from Jefferson Medical College and became a Freemason. In 1832, he traveled to New Orleans as a commission merchant, moving a year later to Brazoria, Texas. He fought during the Texas Revolution in Robert Calder's company at the Battle of San Jacinto. Jones served as a member of the Second Texas Congress and in 1838 was appointed by President Sam Houston as minister to the United States. After President Mirabeau Lamar recalled Jones, he served as a Texas senator following the death of William H. Wharton. In 1841, President Houston appointed Jones secretary of state, where he helped develop Texas's foreign policy. In 1844, Jones became the fourth and last President of the Republic of Texas. During his term, he actively sought options for independence as well as annexation by the U.S. When Mexico formally recognized Texas as independent, the people were angered that Jones had not solely pursued annexation. The Texas Congress rejected the peace treaty and limited Jones’ official duties. When the U.S. annexed Texas in 1846, he retired to his plantation near Washington-on-the-Brazos and worked on his book, Republic of Texas (New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1859).

In 1840, Anson Jones married Mary (Mrs. Hugh) McCrory, née Smith (1819-1907), first President of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and the couple had four children: Charles Elliot, who died during the Civil War; Samuel Edward, a doctor; Cromwell Anson (1850-1888), a lawyer who controlled most of his father's estate lands; and Sarah Sophia (Sallie) Jones. Sallie married R.G. Ashe, and they had several children, including Willie G., Charles E., and Myra, wife of Clayton Scott.

Sources:

Anson Jones Papers, 1809-1910, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.

Gambrell, Herbert. Jones, Anson. Handbook of Texas Online, http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/JJ/fjo42.html (accessed May 10, 2010).

Himmel, Richard L. Jones, Mary Smith. Handbook of Texas Online, http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/JJ/fjo42.html (accessed May 18, 2010).

Mary (Mrs. Anson) Jones Letters, 1866-1882, the University of Houston Libraries' Special Collections.

Archives & Manuscripts, Texas State Library & Archives Commission. President Anson Jones. Texas State Library & Archives Commission. http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/exhibits/presidents/jones/intro.html (accessed June 15, 2010).

From the guide to the Jones, Anson, Papers 1930; 1934; 63-009; 65-025; 70-110., 1809-1910, (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin)

Anson Jones (1798-1858) was a doctor, congressman, diplomatic minister, and President of the Republic of Texas.

Son of Solomon and Sarah (Strong) Jones, he was born in Massachusetts and practiced medicine in New York and Pennsylvania. Jones practiced medicine in Venezuela from 1824 to 1826 to raise money for medical school. The next year he returned to Pennsylvannia to earn an M.D. from Jefferson Medical College and became a Freemason. In 1832, he traveled to New Orleans as a commission merchant, moving a year later to Brazoria, Texas. He fought during the Texas Revolution in Robert Calder's company at the Battle of San Jacinto. Jones served as a member of the Second Texas Congress and in 1838 was appointed by President Sam Houston as minister to the United States. After President Mirabeau Lamar recalled Jones, he served as a Texas senator following the death of William H. Wharton. In 1841, President Houston appointed Jones secretary of state, where he helped develop Texas's foreign policy. In 1844, Jones became the fourth and last President of the Republic of Texas. During his term, he actively sought options for independence as well as annexation by the U.S. When Mexico formally recognized Texas as independent, the people were angered that Jones had not solely pursued annexation. The Texas Congress rejected the peace treaty and limited Jones' official duties. When the U.S. annexed Texas in 1846, he retired to his plantation near Washington-on-the-Brazos and worked on his book, Republic of Texas (New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1859).

In 1840, Anson Jones married Mary (Mrs. Hugh) McCrory, née Smith (1819-1907), first President of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and the couple had four children: Charles Elliot, who died during the Civil War; Samuel Edward, a doctor; Cromwell Anson (1850-1888), a lawyer who controlled most of his father's estate lands; and Sarah Sophia (Sallie) Jones.

Sallie married R.G. Ashe, and they had several children, including Willie G., Charles E., and Myra, wife of Clayton Scott.

Sources:

Anson Jones Papers, 1809-1910, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.

Gambrell, Herbert. Jones, Anson.Handbook of Texas Online, http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/JJ/fjo42.html (accessed May 10, 2010).

Himmel, Richard L. Jones, Mary Smith.Handbook of Texas Online, http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/JJ/fjo42.html (accessed May 18, 2010).

Mary (Mrs. Anson) Jones Letters, 1866-1882, the University of Houston Libraries' Special Collections.

Archives & Manuscripts, Texas State Library & Archives Commission. President Anson Jones. Texas State Library & Archives Commission. http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/exhibits/presidents/jones/intro.html (accessed June 15, 2010).

From the description of Jones, Anson, Papers, 1809-1910 (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 777011683

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Texas. Secretary of State. General correspondence of the Department of State, Republic of Texas, 1822-1859, undated, bulk 1835-1846. Texas State Library & Archives Commission
referencedIn Goodman, H. H. Essay, 1918 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
referencedIn William G. Ritch Collection, 1539-1901, bulk 1845-1882 The Huntington Library
referencedIn Champe Carter family papers MC030. 48381624, 48381357, 48381361, 48381390., 1809-1941, (Bulk: 1866-1886) Albert and Ethel Herzstein Library,
creatorOf Ward, Thomas William, 1807-1872. Thomas William Ward correspondence, 1841-1844. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Goodman, H. H., d. 1937. Goodman, H. H., Essay, 1918 University of Texas Libraries
creatorOf Jones, Anson, 1798-1858. Memoranda and accounts of Anson Jones, 1856-7. University of North Texas Library, UNT
referencedIn Department of State diplomatic correspondence, 1831-1832, 1835-1846, undated Texas State Archives
referencedIn Sam Houston Hearne Collection 21794369., 1820-1929 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
referencedIn Houston Endowment Texana collection MC042. 48149722., 1805-1936, (Bulk: 1839-1848) Albert and Ethel Herzstein Library,
creatorOf Jones, Anson, Papers 1930; 1934; 63-009; 65-025; 70-110., 1809-1910 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
referencedIn Ward, Thomas, 1807-1873. Ward, Thomas William, papers, 1825-1885. University of Texas Libraries
creatorOf Texas. President (1844-1847 : Jones). Texas Republic. President (Jones) to Joel Wilkinson regarding land grant, 1864. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Jones, Mary Smith McCrory, 1819-1907. Family papers, 1827-1922, (bulk 1866-1907). University of North Texas Library, UNT
creatorOf Texas. [Certificate of election] : DS, 1845 March 10, Washington [on the Brazos, Texas]. University of North Texas Library, UNT
referencedIn Van Zandt, Isaac, 1813-1847. Van Zandt, Isaac, papers, 1835-1865, 1948 University of Texas Libraries
referencedIn Campbell, John, fl. 1837-1898. John Campbell personal papers, ca. 1820-1906. Rice University, Fondren Library
referencedIn Eleazer Louis Ripley Wheelock Papes 1912, 1913, 1925, 1931, 1935., 1814-1935 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
referencedIn Houston, Sam, 1793-1863. Houston, Sam, papers, 1814-1957. University of Texas Libraries
referencedIn Richard Bachman Collection, about 1820-1983, undated, bulk 1840-1920 Texas State Archives
creatorOf Jones, Anson, 1798-1858. Jones, Anson, Papers, 1809-1910 University of Texas Libraries
referencedIn Birkey family. Papers, 1824-1918. Bucks County Historical Society
referencedIn Philosophical Society of Texas Records 99-042; 2000-030; 2003-074; 2006-260., 1838, 1935-1998 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
referencedIn John Campbell Personal papers MS 329., 1820-1906 Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University
creatorOf Jones, Anson, 1798-1858. Grant of Anson Jones, 1845. Library of Congress
referencedIn Biography -- Jones, Anson. Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library
referencedIn Papers, 1832-1889, (bulk 1832-1869) University of Texas at Austin. General Libraries
referencedIn Wheelock, Eleazer Louis Ripley. Eleazer Louis Ripley Wheelock Papes, 1814-1935 University of Texas Libraries
referencedIn Fanthorp Inn. Fanthorp Inn Records, 1832-1888 University of Texas Libraries
referencedIn Texas. Congress. Joint Resolution tendering to General Andrew Jackson the Tribute of a Nation's Gratitude, 1845 Jun 21. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Johnson, Moses, 1808-1853. Johnson, Moses, Papers, 1832-1890 University of Texas Libraries
creatorOf Texas. General Land Office. [Land grant] : Austin, [Tex.], 1845 July 31. University of North Texas Library, UNT
creatorOf Texas. Secretary of State. Secretary of State consular correspondence, 1836-1850, 1873-1875 (bulk 1836-1846). Texas State Library & Archives Commission
referencedIn Eberstadt Collection AR 76-62., 1699-1959 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
creatorOf Texas (Republic). Dept. of State. Department of State diplomatic correspondence, 1831-1832, 1835-1846, undated. Texas State Library & Archives Commission
referencedIn Houston, Sam, 1793-1863. Hearne, Sam Houston, collection, 1820-1929. University of Texas Libraries
creatorOf Rogers, John A. ALS, 1844 December 17 : Washington City (i.e. D.C.) to John A. Rogers. Haverford College Library
referencedIn Cromwell Anson Jones Papers, 1837-1926 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
creatorOf Mark, V. T. V.T. Mark collection, 1822-1868. University of Texas at El Paso
referencedIn Houston, Sam, 1793-1863. Hearne, Madge Williams, collection, 1817-1853. University of Texas Libraries
referencedIn Secretary of State consular correspondence, 1836-1850, 1873-1875, bulk 1836-1846 Texas State Archives
referencedIn Oatts, Thomas C. Letters, 1844 Oct. 8-9. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Jones, C. Anson (Cromwell Anson),. Cromwell Anson Jones Papers, 1837-1926 University of Texas Libraries
creatorOf Jones, Anson, 1798-1858. Album 1840-1888. University of North Texas Library, UNT
referencedIn Grimes, Jesse, 1788-1866. Grimes, Jesse, Papers, 1834-1854 University of Texas Libraries
referencedIn Philosophical Society of Texas. Philosophical Society of Texas Records, 1838, 1935-1998 University of Texas Libraries
referencedIn Moses Johnson Papers 1926., 1832-1890 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
referencedIn Mary (Mrs. Anson) Jones Letters 1970-003., 1858-1900 Special Collections, University of Houston Libraries
referencedIn Sam Houston Papers, 1814-1957, and undated Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
referencedIn Fanthorp Inn Records 79-66., 1832-1888 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
referencedIn Irion, Robert Anderson, 1804-1861. Irion, Robert Anderson, papers, 1836-1857 1836-1841. University of Texas Libraries
referencedIn A. F. Miller collection MC158., 1847-1871 Albert and Ethel Herzstein Library,
referencedIn Van Zandt, Isaac Papers 82-106., 1835-1865, 1948 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
referencedIn Grimes, Jesse, Papers 1954., 1834-1854 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
referencedIn Campbell, John, fl. 1837-1898. Papers, ca. 1810-ca. 1910. Rice University, Fondren Library
creatorOf Anson Jones biographical sketch, 1880. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Eberstadt, Edward, 1883-1958. Eberstadt collection, 1699-1959. University of Texas Libraries
referencedIn Sam Houston papers Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University
referencedIn General correspondence of the Department of State, Republic of Texas, 1822-1859, undated, bulk 1835-1846 Texas State Archives
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith American Party (Tex.) corporateBody
associatedWith American Party (Tex.) corporateBody
associatedWith Ashe family. family
associatedWith Ashe family. family
correspondedWith Birkey family. family
correspondedWith Campbell, John, fl. 1837-1898. person
associatedWith Carter, Champe, 1840-1886 person
associatedWith Eberstadt, Edward, 1883-1958 person
associatedWith Fanthorp Inn corporateBody
associatedWith Fanthorp Inn corporateBody
associatedWith Goodman, H. H., d. 1937 person
associatedWith Grimes, Jesse, 1788-1866 person
associatedWith Hearne, Sam Houston person
associatedWith Houston Endowment Inc. corporateBody
associatedWith Houston, Sam, 1793-1863 person
correspondedWith Irion, Robert Anderson, 1804-1861. person
associatedWith Johnson, Moses, 1808-1853 person
associatedWith Jones, Anson, family family
associatedWith Jones, Anson, family family
associatedWith Jones, C. Anson (Cromwell Anson), person
associatedWith Jones, C. Anson (Cromwell Anson), b. 1850 person
associatedWith Jones, Cromwell Anson. person
associatedWith Jones family family
associatedWith Jones, Mary Smith person
associatedWith Jones, Mary Smith McCrory, 1819-1907 person
associatedWith Lamar, Mirabeau Buonaparte, 1798-1859 person
associatedWith Mark, V. T. person
associatedWith Miller, A. F. person
associatedWith Miller, W. D. (Washington D.), 1814-1866 person
associatedWith Oatts, Thomas C. person
associatedWith Philosophical Society of Texas corporateBody
associatedWith Riker, John C. person
associatedWith Ritch, William G. person
associatedWith Rogers, John A. person
associatedWith Texas. corporateBody
associatedWith Texas. Congress. corporateBody
associatedWith Texas. General Land Office. corporateBody
associatedWith Texas. President (1844-1847 : Jones) corporateBody
associatedWith Texas (Republic). Dept. of State. corporateBody
associatedWith Texas (Republic). Dept. of State. corporateBody
associatedWith Texas. Secretary of State. corporateBody
associatedWith Van Zandt, Isaac person
associatedWith Van Zandt, Isaac, 1813-1847. person
associatedWith Ward, Thomas, 1807-1873. person
associatedWith Ward, Thomas William, 1807-1872. person
associatedWith Wheelock, Eleazer Louis Ripley person
associatedWith Wheelock, Eleazer Louis Ripley person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Texas
Texas
Texas
Subject
Slavery
Slavery
Autograph albums
Land speculation
Land speculation
Occupation
Physicians
Presidents
Public officials
Activity

Person

Birth 1798-01-20

Death 1858-01-09

Information

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Ark ID: w6rx9z39

SNAC ID: 66798113