Fred M. Jones

Frederick McDonald Jones (29 January 1890 – 31 December 1971), commonly known as Fred M. Jones, was a Jamaican planter and public figure who served as Portland's custos rotulorum from 1965 until his death. He was one of the largest individual landowners in Jamaica. He devoted much of his life to public service and philanthropy.

Early life and family The Jones family came to Portland, Jamaica, in 1842 with the Reverend Evan Jones, a Welsh clergyman who built St Thomas Anglican Church in Manchioneal. The Reverend's son, Morgan Newton Jones , was the proprietor of the in ruinate sugar plantation Williamsfield Estate, which he leased. his second wife was Rosa Elizabeth (née McDonald), Fred M. Jones's mother, whom he married the year of Jones's birth.

Jones was educated at Tichfield Upper School, returning to Williamsfield in the evenings to work for his father, swiftly being transferred to the No. 2 Construction Battalion. He was discharged in 1919, having attained the rank of sergeant.

Jones's wife was Gladys (née Smith) , a Quaker missionary from Oskaloosa, Iowa whom he married in 1923. Gladys's mission focused on education, transforming Happy Grove School in Portland from a vocational to an academic institution. Although an Anglican, Jones took an active hand in Quaker affairs and worked alongside his wife. They had seven children, among them were the politician Kenneth and the writer Evan. At its height, FMJ covered 10,000 acres across Portland and Saint Thomas, with the majority of villagers from settlements such as Duckenfield working on the property.

As of 2019, FMJ is managed by Nicholas Jones, Jones's grandson; encompassing 5,000 acres and employing 220 people. FMJ transitioned from primarily producing sugarcane to cassava, which is sold to Desnoes & Geddes and used in the brewing of Red Stripe. Another recent addition to FMJ is the Holland Crocodile Sanctuary. and, in 1971, that Jones himself was "one of [Portland's] most active and public spirited sons". Upon Gladys's death, Jones donated sufficient musical instruments to Happy Grove School to furnish the pupils with an orchestra. He also donated a medical clinic to the town of Manchioneal; and, in 1965, donated FMJ land for the building of Amity Hall Primary School. In 1965, Jones was appointed Custos Rotulorum of Portland by the governor-general, Sir Clifford Campbell, on the advice of Prime Minister Sir Alexander Bustamante. He replaced F. V. Grossett, who died in office. Until his appointment, it had been customary to resign the position at the age of 75, yet Jones was 75 when he took up the office. He died at the age of 81 in Nuttall Memorial Hospital in Kingston. Jones is depicted in his son Evan's roman à clef, Stone Haven (1993). In the novel, the character of Stanley Newton bears a strong resemblance to Jones.