Fred M. Jones

The Jones family came to Portland, Jamaica, in 1842 with the Rev. 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. In 1923, Fred married Gladys Smith , a Quaker missionary from Oskaloosa, Iowa. 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, amongst them were the writer Evan and the politician Kenneth. == Fred M. Jones Estates (FMJ) ==

In the early 1900s, Fred M. and Henry Morgan Jones grew coconuts and bananas on their father's land. At its height, FMJ covered 10,000 acres across Portland and St 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. == Public service and philanthropy ==

In a 1965 article in The Daily Gleaner, it was written that "the Jones family has been a friend of the people over the years"; and, in 1971, that Jones himself was "one of [Portland's] most active and public spirited sons". 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 the 1930s and 1940s, Jones served extensively as a justice of the peace. However, Jones was perhaps most active as the holder of civic and agricultural board positions. During his life he was named: • Director of the Portland Parochial Board; • President of the Portland Citizen's Association; • Chairman of the Banana Board; • Vice-chairman of the Agricultural Development Corporation; • Director of the All-Island Banana Growers Association; • Director of the Banana Industry Insurance; • Chairman of the Happy Grove School Board; • Chairman of the Friends' Education Council; • Member of the Anglican Diocesan Council; • Member of the Diocesan Finance Council. == Honours ==

• Jones was dubbed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in Elizabeth II's 1963 New Year Honours, "[f]or voluntary public services". • 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. == Personal life and death ==

Fred M. Jones was the first person to own a Rolls-Royce automobile in Jamaica and was a member of the Royal Jamaican Yacht Club. He died at the age of 81 in Nuttall Memorial Hospital in Kingston. == References ==