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Cultural Research Project. By Sadie Jo Boring FDREL 261-04. Thomas E. Jones “How Much I Have Labored..”. A biography written about his life by his family in 1975. ‘How Much I Have Labored…”. A Biolgraphy of Thomas E. Jones By Robert E Jones
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Cultural Research Project By Sadie Jo Boring FDREL 261-04
Thomas E. Jones“How Much I Have Labored..” A biography written about his life by his family in 1975
‘How Much I Have Labored…” A Biolgraphy of Thomas E. Jones By Robert E Jones Copy given to DelOra Jones by her father, Melvin Shaw Jones
Thomas E. Jones was born April, 1811in Bishops Frome, England (a village and civil parish in eastern Herefordshire, England) He was kind of a mystery to us these days, due to a history that was never written down. No one for a few generations wrote anything down. Most of what is known is from word of mouth passed down through the family and friends. There have been a few people who have done history work and written these stories down and they have been complied into this book. Since not much has been written down, it was hard to verify some things, but were able to verify and figure out some of the other things that were missing based on the history of the world and of England at that time, but also based on what the other extended family had said in their written accounts. Thomas E. Jones
Thomas only has two written pieces from history. He left behind two poems. “The fact that Thomas in his old age wrote a rather impressive poem of five verses is an indication of a find mind and a sensitive spirit, but it is not necessarily an indication of formal schooling. He could have composed the verses and had others write them down and correct them for him.” (page 26) “Thomas summarized in poetic form the experience and wisdom of his life. He reduced to writing an expression of his faith in God, his testimony of the divinity of the restored gospel and his love for his children. More priceless than lands or gold, this legacy in verse has survived the years and becomes more priceless with the passing of time.
My sons and my daughters, how much I have laboredTo Teach you the ways of the Lord in your youth;That when you grow old you still may be favoredWith the spirit of God to Guide you in truth. My sons and my daughters now gather around me, My footsteps are feeble, my locks now are gray, My form it is stooping, every feature is wrinkled, I’m waiting the summons, I’ll soon pass away. Think of your Father, I have labored to raise you-The pangs of your mother, who gave you your birth, Who dried up the tear and soothed you when crying-The richest of jewels that are known on the earth. Think of your Father, I crossed the wide ocean, And traveled the deserts and mountains so high, And caused that your birth-place should be here in Utah. Be kind to your Father I’ll soon pass away. Think of your father, ever fervent in spirit, How often I’ve called you to kneel by my chair, And prayed to the Father that you may inheritThe blessings of heaven, in answer to prayer. Think of your Father, ever jealous of evil, Who watched o’er your footsteps for fear they might stray, And loved to behold you in the path of your duty, Now watch o’er your Father, I’ll soon pass away. Think of your Father and walk in his footsteps-Continue the good work that he has begun, The Fathers are anxiously waiting the actionsOf their faithful children, that a work may be done. The keys of the Priesthood restored by ElijahTo Joseph the Prophet and Seer in my day, To unite the hearts of the Fathers and children, Do a work for the Fathers that have passed away. As poetry, it may not be of classic quality. As a declaration of faith it is superb.” (page 198-199)
“Thomas Jones, walking in the air of connubial bliss with his new bride, Mary Parsons, would soon face the dread prospect of life in the workhouse. Family legend struck when Thomas was 24 years of age and while he worked in the hop harvest….. September 1834….while working in the hop fields he suffered a wound to one of his legs. The wound became infected…As the infection spread and the pain increased it became evident that the young man’s life was in danger… When it was announced that to save the patient’s life a limb must come off there would have been weeping and deep sorrow. Thomas’ courage would have been sorely tested. At 24 to face the prospect of life with only one leg would have been terrible, especially for one untrained for work except hand labor in the fields.” Leg Amputation (pages 35-38)
