Eliza Grew Jones (1803-1838) Missionary to Siam

Biography by Austin House Eliza Coltman Grew was born on 30 March 1803, in Providence, Rhode Island. She was the eldest child of Rev. Henry and Susan Grew. Before marrying , Eliza served as a teacher and showed a propensity for learning languages Eliza Jones’ literary work was extensive: through her study of Greek without a tutor. For a time, Eliza wrestled with her faith and the grace of a. Within a year, she had copied and developed a God. In January 1827, she confessed to being a Siamese-English dictionary (most likely from the follower of Christ. work of Gutzlaff and Tomlin). A copy of this manuscript is at the British Museum Library. On 14 July 1830, she married Rev. Dr. John b. She worked on a romanized script for Siamese. Taylor Jones of the American Baptist Missionary c. Developed a large school-book in Siamese. Union. On 2 August, the newlyweds departed Boston d . S h e w r o t e t h e h i s t o r i e s o f J o s e p h , for Burma. After a short stay at the Nebuchadnezzar, Moses, and the exodus of Israel Mission, they arrived in Amherst, Burma, on 17 from Egypt to Canaan. February, where they would serve as missionaries for e. Composed several hymns using Siamese poetry almost two years. At Amherst, they joined Mr. and and meter. Mrs. Bennett, Mr. and Mrs. Kincaid, and Mrs. Mason. Soon they were called upon to assist in On 28 March 1838, Eliza Jones died of maintaining the mission post in , where they cholera, after an illness of only twelve hours. Upon met . After about a week, Judson her death, she joined her son and daughter, who had left for Moulmein, which made them the sole ABMU also died in the mission field. She left behind two missionaries in Yangon from July 1831 to February children and a devoted husband. In a letter by her 1832. husband, he wrote:

In September 1832, the Jones family was “With zeal, piety, intelligence, and energy of appointed to take on a new assignment in Siam. In no ordinary character, Mrs. Jones undertook much, March 1833, the Jones family arrived in prayed much, accomplished much; how much, after making stops in Malacca and Singapore. In eternity alone will reveal. Some saved from Bangkok, the Jones family found many Chinese heathenism no doubt through her instrumentality, residing inside the city and many Peguans and have already gone to heaven. Others, who profess to Burmans living on the outskirts. After arriving in be disciples of Christ through her teaching, yet Bangkok, Eliza would often visit the Burma villages remain, and many are they who will not soon forget nearby. She did effective work, her warnings and expostulations. Amid continual particularly among Burman women, whom two she weakness and suffering she persevered, and witnessed to two becoming converts. During her accomplished what she undertook. I must not enlarge service, she helped establish a day school where she upon her character; she has fulfilled her course, and taught two-three times a week alongside other gone to glory.” missionaries.

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Sources for Further Study:

• Dana Lee Robert, American Women in Mission: A Social History of their Thought and Practice, Mercer University Press (1997).

• Eliza G. Jones, Memoir of Mrs. Eliza G. Jones, Missionary to Burmah and Siam.American Baptist Publication Society. (1838)

• Sigourney, Lydia Howard. 1851. Letters to My Pupils: With Narrative and Biographical Sketches. (Her former teacher wrote of her on pp. 294–302.)

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