Jones, John Winston, 1791-1848

JONES, JOHN WINSTON, a Representative from Virginia; born near Amelia Court House, Amelia County, Va., November 22, 1791; attended private schools; was graduated from the law department of the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Va., in 1813; was admitted to the bar the same year and commenced practice in Chesterfield County, Va.; prosecuting attorney for the fifth Virginia circuit in 1818; member of the State constitutional convention in 1829 and 1830; elected as a Jacksonian to the Twenty-fourth Congress and reelected as a Democrat to the four succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1835-March 3, 1845); chairman, Committee on Ways and Means (Twenty-sixth Congress); Speaker of the House of Representatives (Twenty-eighth Congress); declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1844; resumed the practice of law and also engaged in agricultural pursuits; member of the State house of delegates in 1846 and served as speaker; reelected in 1847 but resigned on account of ill health; died at his residence, ``Dellwood,'' in Chesterfield County, Virginia, January 29, 1848; interment in the family cemetery on his estate, ``Dellwood,'' northwest of Petersburg, Va.

<p>John Winston Jones (November 22, 1791 – January 29, 1848) was an American politician and lawyer.</p>

<p>Born November 22, 1791 in Amelia County, Virginia, he graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1813. He practiced law in Chesterfield County, Virginia before being appointed Prosecuting Attorney for Virginia's 5th Judicial Circuit in 1818. He was a delegate to the 1829–30 state constitutional convention.</p>

<p>Jones was elected as a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives in 1835, and served five terms. He was Speaker of the House during the 28th Congress (1843–45).</p>

<p>Jones declined nomination for a sixth term in Congress and returned to Virginia in 1845. The following year he was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates and was chosen as Speaker. He was elected to a second term in 1847, but did not attend the session due to illness. He resigned his seat on December 17.</p>

<p>Jones married Harriet Boisseau and together they had three children: Mary Winston, James Boisseau and Alexander. He is also an ancestor of early 20th century photographer O. Winston Link.</p>

<p>Jones died on January 29, 1848. He is buried in the family cemetery at his Dellwood Plantation northwest of Petersburg, Virginia.</p>