JONES, Charles (1822-1904) and (first wife) Sarah A. (c. 1824-1882) and (second wife) Jane Cordelia (1831-1910)

A Millerite in his youth and a carpenter by trade, Charles Jones moved to Monterey, Michigan, in 1853, with his wife, Sarah. In 1854 they became Sabbathkeeping Adventists under the preaching of M. E. Cornell. Jones subsequently served as elder of the Monterey church for 40 years. In 1862 the Monterey church “voted that Bro. Charles Jones take the oversight of the building of the new meeting house.”1EGWLM 852.4

Among the Monterey members was the aged Joseph Bates, who spent his last 12 years in Monterey. Before Bates's death in 1872 Ellen White entrusted Charles Jones with ensuring that Bates did not overtax his strength by traveling and preaching. There is evidence that Jones held the visions of Ellen White in high regard. When, in 1860, her “Testimony for Monterey” included some straight counsel to the Jones family on the upbringing of their son, Charles's response, recorded in the Monterey church minutes, was that he “believed evry [sic] word of the testimony.” Later, in the mid-1870s, when W. H. Littlejohn created serious division among the churches in Monterey and vicinity by accusations against Ellen White, Charles Jones was among her firm supporters.1EGWLM 852.5

See: 1860 U.S. Federal Census, “Charles Jones,” Michigan, Allegan County, Monterey, p. 140; 1900 U.S. Federal Census, “Charles Jones,” Michigan, Allegan County, Monterey, p. 15A; obituary: “Charles Jones,” Review, Mar. 24, 1904, p. 23; obituary: “Sarah A. Jones,” Review, May 2, 1882, p. 286; obituary: “Jane Cordelia Jones,” Review, Dec. 29, 1910, p. 23; “Records of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Monterey, Michigan [1860-1880],” minutes for Jan. 6, 1861, and Jan. 5, 1862 (Berrien Springs, Mich.: Center for Adventist Research, Andrews University, n.d.), pp. 7, 26; Ellen G. White, Lt 2, 1872 (Feb. 12); Ms 4, 1860 (Dec.); Lt 16, 1875 (June 6).1EGWLM 852.6