Jones, Lewis (b. 1748)

Journeyman printer.

Educated at St. Paul’s School. Sent to Philadelphia by his father, the London printer Griffith Jones, who hoped he might serve as Franklin’s apprentice (1763).

Franklin reassigned him to James Parker, in Woodbridge, New Jersey. After his apprenticeship, he was employed first by James and Alexander Robertson, and then by the New York printer, Hugh Gaine (c. 1768).

Arrested and indicted on three counts of issuing counterfeit New Jersey bills of credit—a hanging offense. At his trial, Parker testified as his character witness, and Jones was acquitted. With Parker’s financial help, he went to Charleston, South Carolina, but eventually returned to New York, where he continued to earn a living as a journeyman printer. In 1786, he was in New York, responsible for the management of the New-York Morning Post.

Son of Griffith Jones. Married in 1769 to Mary Bennett; six children.

Later spelling of the name: Louis Jones.