Samuel Jones papers (MS.1E.2)

This collection consists primarily of letters received from 1760 to 1794. There are also copies of the Rhode Island College (Brown University) charter, college subscription books, and subscription receipts and promissory notes. The bulk of the letters are from James Manning, who was President of the college from 1764 to 1791. Jones and Manning became acquainted in the 1750's. Both attended Hopewell Academy and were affiliated with the Philadelphia Baptist Association. Subjects related to the Philadelphia Baptist Association are referred to throughout the collection. Manning's letters are concerned with religious studies and his preparation for the ministry, the placement of Baptist clergy in various churches, the refusal by Baptists in Northhampton, Massachusetts, to pay ministerial taxes in 1774, and various topics related to Rhode Island College. Jones was a longtime supporter of Rhode Island College and instrumental in writing its charter.

Of the three copies of the Charter in the collection: one copy is a corrected manuscript dated 1763 Aug 1; and two are printed copies dated 1764 Feb 27, one having marginalia. One copy was printed by Samuel Hall in Newport; the other was reprinted in London for Blyth and Beevor.