Samuel Jones

Portrait of Samuel Jones (ca. 1800), New York Society Library. Samuel Jones (July 26, 1734 – November 25, 1819) was an American lawyer and politician. In 1788, he played a key role in convincing the State of New York to ratify the Constitution of the United States.

Early life Jones was born on July 26, 1734, in Oyster Bay in what was then the Province of New York. He was the son of William Jones (1708–1779) and Phoebe (née Jackson) Jones (1715–1800).

Thomas Jones, who was also a Record of New York City, was Jones's first cousin as both were grandchildren of Major Thomas Jones who emigrated to Rhode Island from Strabane, in Ireland and became influential figure on Long Island.

Career In 1760, Jones was working in the law office of William Smith, and was admitted in October of that year to practice before the New York Bar. That was also the year of the greatest and most historical thing he ever did: at the New York convention in Poughkeepsie to consider ratifying the United States Constitution, he broke the impasse about whether a Bill of Rights had to be added. In 1794, Jones ran for Congress. On February 17, 1797, the office of New York State Comptroller was created by the New York State Legislature to succeed to the State Auditor, Peter T. Curtenius; on March 15 of that year, Jones was appointed by the Council of Appointment as the first holder of the office. Three years later, the state legislature reduced his salary, and the legislature also moved from New York City to Albany; for some combination of those reasons he resigned and returned to his home on Long Island. In 1768, he married Cornelia Haring, a daughter of Elizabeth Haring. Together, Samuel and Cornelia were the parents of Samuel Jones (1769–1853), who also served as Recorder of New York City and the Chancellor of New York.

Jones died on November 25, 1819. He left a widow and five sons.

Legacy Great Jones Street in New York City's NoHo district was named after Samuel Jones.