honest industry, and prudent thrift, laid the foundation of that good name, and ample patrimony, which he bequeathed, in the year 1754, to the worthy triumvirate, commonly called the Pembertons of Philadelphia. His eldest son, the second ISRAEL, was a man whose natural eloquence, and habitual liberality early recommended him to public stations, which he occupied with integrity, and resigned without regret, devoting himself, in the latter part of his life, to the exercise of that benevolence to the poor, and hospitality to strangers, to which he had ever been inclined. The Indian natives were particular objects of his bounty, in remembrance of their hospitality to our ancestors, and their deputies on public business were often entertained by him at his ample mansion, at the corner of Chesnut and Third-Streets; where he died in 1779, aged sixty-three years. This house has been since taken down, and the Bank of the United States, and several other public and private buildings, now occupy the scite of its extensive gardens. Jons, the youngest of the three, was an eminent example of devotion, and self-denial, as a Gospel minister. He literally forsook all that he had, to follow HIM that had not where to lay his head; and this Christian pilgrim, who resided at home in affluence and ease, lies buried in a distant land (Pyrmont in Westphalia) where he laid down his life, with the meekness of a lamb, in consequence of a cold, caught by going many miles, on foot, through rain, in the sixty-seventh year of his age, to deliver a Gospel message to a people of a strange speech, and of a hard language, whose words he could not understand [Ezek. iii. 5,6]. JAMES, the immediate subject of this brief memorial of departed worth, was one of the last members of his religious Society who sat in the Legislative bodies of their country, with the approbation of their brethren; who, after the long period of peaceful prosperity which had been enjoyed under their government had been interrupted by that called the French war (1754 to 1763, discouraged their members from accepting public stations, as having become incompatible with a strict adherence to their religious profession. At a critical period of the late Revolution (September 1777) he was one of those, together with both his brothers, and about twenty more of the principal Friends of Philadelphia who reluctantly resigned their attachment to the mother country) that were imprisoned, under a general warrant, by the vigilant precaution of the then Executive Council; and, upon their refusal to confine themselves to their own houses, banished, without a hearing, notwithstanding their spirited remonstrances, (published in Town's Evening Post) to Winchester, in Virginia: whence they were finally liberated, without trial or accusation; and permitted to return to their homes (then in possession of the British army) without any other security than that of their well-known character for upright intention, and peaceable demeanour. In 1790 he succeeded Dr. Franklin, as President of the Society for the Abolition of Slavery; a station which he relinquished in the year 1800; when he gradually withdrew from the various duties that he had so long performed, in Civil, as well as Réligious Society: preparing, with cheerfulness, for that awful change, for which he, in his last moments, declared himself ready: as one who had nothing to do but to die; and, through the mercy of God in Christ, receive an admission into the mansions of rest. His only son (Phineas) died unmarried, in the twenty-fifth year of his age, and this ancient Family is now nearly extinct, in the male line: but the name of PEMBERTON will ever be intermingled with the peaceful recollections of the golden age of Pennsyl vania. FOR THE PORT FOLIO. OBITUARY NOTICE OF MR. RICHARD C. JONES. We substitute, in the place of a brief Biographical Sketch, which we had prepared of the late MR. RICHARD C. JONES, the following Tribute of respect paid to his memory by the Welch Society of this city, at their late anniversary meeting. In the active and faithful discharge of the duties of this benevolent Institution, the worth of our deceased Friend was conspicuously displayed; and the warmth of affection, with which they have recorded his merits, is an Eulogy at once honourable and decisive. Extract from the Minutes of the Welch Society. * The Committee appointed for the purpose of preparing a Testimonial of the sense entertained by the Society, of the merits of their lately deceased Secretary, and of the regret excited by his death, beg leave to report the following remarks, and submit, that they be preserved on the Records, as an expression of the sentiments and feelings of the Society on this mournful occasion: SINCE the last meeting of the Welch Society, its members have been called to mourn the departure of their beloved brother and highly valued Secretary, Richard C. Jones. To the present members of this association, it would be unnecessary to present a view of the character and worth of their deceased friend. They have witnessed his excellence, and they justly feel and lament his loss. But, to the future members of the Society it may be useful that a portion of our Records should be devoted to preserve the remembrance of one whose deportment presents so fair and favourable a model of capacity, fidelity, and zeal, as a member and officer of this institution. At the revival of this Society, under its present arrangements, in the year 1798, Richard C. Jones became a member, and was one of the Stewards first appointed by the Society. The uniform conduct of Mr. Jones, from the day of his admission, as a member, to his death, indicates, with certainty, that his motives in joining the Society, were benevolent, and his principle of action a desire to relieve from suffering and distress. In accordance with this primary impulse, his career was run, with undeviating 'tenor; and an unfaultering course. He felt not the influence of coldness, or insensibility; but a genial warmth impelled his charities, and a sound prudence directed them to the proper objects. As a member of the acting committee, he was called on various interesting occasions, to a zealous service in the cause of the distressed. One memorable instance, is within the recollection of many survivors; and cannot but be remembered, with feeling and interest, as long as the great objects of this association are dear to its members. On the occasion referred to, Mr. Jones bore a conspicuous part; and his indefatigable exertions, in concert with his associates of the committee, to alleviate the miseries of a numerous body of emigrants from Wales, were followed by effects upon his health; which he never entirely surmounted. The prevalence of a violent and infectious fever among these emigrants, caused them to be placed at the hospital on Schuylkill; and rendered extremely perilous the discharge of the offices of humanity towards them. Fearless of the danger, and regardless of fatigue, Mr. Jones devoted himself to an unre mitting service, for the relief of these afflicted strangers from the multiplied distress, with which they were surrounded. Early and late, he attended the Hospital, administering to the wants of the necessitous, and imparting comfort and consolation to the distressed. The widow and the orphan, were peculiar objects of his solicitude and attention, and this numerous family of sick and comfortless strangers experienced that fellowship and humanity, which our association professes to promote. The exertions of Mr. Jones, amid this scene of sickness and distress, were followed by an attack of the fever, from which, after a painful illness, he recovered; but, as it is apprehended, with a constitution so impaired by its ravages, as never to regain its pristine vigour. In consequence of the mortality, which prevailed among the Welch emigrants beforementioned, the appointment of an orphan committee became necessary, to accomplish the purposes of the Society. Mr. Jones was appointed on this committee, and discharged the duty with a fatherly and friendly care, congenial with the benevolence of his own heart, and in happy fulfilment of the charitable views of the Institution. For upwards of six years, Mr. Jones filled, with perfect acceptation to all, the office of Secretary to the Society. His accuracy and fidelity as an officer, coupled with a lively interest in the concerns of the Institution, cause his loss to be felt and sincerely deplored. In the social and joyous scenes of the Society, as well as in the severest path of duty, our friend was accustomed to display qualities, which endeared him to all, and which will ever be remembered by those who have witnessed his generosity of feeling and complacency of manners. The last illness of Mr. Jones was short, and his career of usefulness closed, on the 9th of January, 1809. It is no detraction from living worth to say, that as an active and faithful officer, and as a zealous, and useful member of the Welch Society, Richard C. Jones has left behind him no superior. - [In the course of the evening of the anniversary of the Society, the following lines, written for the occasion, were sung to the plaintive air of "Burns's Adieu."] LINES TO THE MEMORY OF MR. RICHARD G. JONES, Late Secretary of the Welch Society, STILL be the sounds of joy and mirth, The man, whose heart should give them birth, When last we met, he graced this board, To Honour's dictates proudly true, He practised all the good he knew, But, though, he low and silent lies, And tells his jocund tale no more; And as the annual toast shall pass, Shade of the man we loved so well! Thy mem'ry shall forever dwell B. |