William Jones

William Jones (October 8, 1753 – April 9, 1822) was the eighth governor of Rhode Island from 1811 to 1817. He was a Federalist.

Early life Jones was born in Newport in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, into a family of Welsh origin. His grandfather Thomas Jones (1691–1740) was born in Wales and settled in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. His parents were William and Elizabeth (Pearce) Jones. William was the fourth of five children.

Military service In January 1776, at age 23, Jones was commissioned as Lieutenant in Babcock's/Lippitt's Regiment, which was raised in Rhode Island. By September he was promoted to captain.

The regiment joined General George Washington's Main Army at Harlem Heights in October, just after the battle; then fought in the Battle of White Plains; the Battle of the Assunpink Creek and the Battle of Princeton. In February 1777 he returned to Rhode Island.

After the war, he became a justice of the peace. Jones was a Federalist and won the gubernatorial election against incumbent James Fenner in 1811 by just a few hundred votes. Jones opposed the War of 1812, considering the war unjust, and asserted his authority in using the state militia amid concerns about the defense of the coastline. Originally balking at the requirement of sending 500 troops for federal service, he nonetheless relented, and the troops served as part of the 25th Regiment, U.S. Infantry. He was re-elected five times, but having been defeated when seeking a seventh term, he retired from the public life.

He was buried at Swan Point Cemetery in Providence, Rhode Island.