William Jones (March 20, 1624 - October 17, 1706) was an English lawyer who emigrated to the United Colonies of New England and became the twenty-fourth Deputy Governor of the Colony of Connecticut. He notably hosted at his home the regicides Whalley and Goffe, family members of Oliver Cromwell.
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Biography
Jones was born in London, Middlesex, England. He became a lawyer at Westminster and married Hannah Eaton, daughter of Governor Eaton, on July 4, 1659, in St. Andrew's Church, Holborn, by Reverend Joseph Rowe.
They arrived in Boston, Massachusetts, on July 27, 1660, in company with the regicides, judges Edward Whalley and William Goffe, both Generals and family members of Oliver Cromwell.
They moved to New Haven in August of the same year; took possession of the mansion of Governor Theophilus Eaton, and continued to live there until their deaths. His brothers-in-law were Capt. Thomas Yale and David Yale, stepsons of Gov. Eaton, while his nephew was Capt. Thomas Yale of Wallingford. Jones was made a freeman in 1661.
One of the most interesting facts in his life was his connection with the two judges, Whalley and Goffe. While they hid in New Haven in the Judges' Cave, Jones' house was their place of refuge for eleven days. Reverend John Davenport too aided in hiding them .