Isaac Jones (mayor)
Mayor of Philadelphia (1718–1773)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Isaac Jones, Esq.[1] (July 17, 1718 – October 18, 1773) was the 40th Mayor of Philadelphia, serving during the British colonial period.
Isaac Jones | |
|---|---|
| 40th Mayor of Philadelphia | |
| In office October 6, 1767 – October 3, 1769 | |
| Preceded by | John Lawrence |
| Succeeded by | Samuel Shoemaker |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 17, 1718 |
| Died | October 18, 1773 (aged 57) |
| Spouse | Frances Strettell |
| Children | At least one |
Early life and family
Jones was born on July 17, 1718, to Henry Jones, and was a merchant in his early years.[2] He married Frances Strettell (1717–1782)[3] on February 13, 1742, or 1743.[4] Strettell was the daughter of fellow Philadelphia mayor Robert Strettell.[2] They had at least one son, Robert Strettell Jones.[5] The family were members of the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia, for which Jones served as a lay delegate.[6]
Career
Jones became a common councilman in 1742 for Philadelphia, and became an alderman in 1764.[2] He was elected to its mayorship on October 6, 1767. His election, at the time, upset the Presbyterian community.[7] He was elected again for a second term on October 4, 1768.[1] Concurrent with his city council work, he was a judge for the court of common pleas.[8] From 1768 to 1773, he presided "almost continuously" as the presiding judge.[9]
In 1768, he was elected to a position in the American Philosophical Society. He was also a manager for the Pennsylvania Hospital and Trustee/Treasurer for the College of Philadelphia.[6] His managerial role was not continuous. He was elected in 1752, resigned in 1756, re-elected in 1760, resigned in 1762, and was re-elected in 1764 and continued there until his death[8] on October 18, 1773.[2]