Jones, Arthur E.

• Arthur E. Jones, S.J.

Arthur Edward Jones, S.J. was born in Brockville, Ontario on November 17, 1838, and was the son of Lucy Catherine Macdonnell and Henry Jones. After completing his studies at Collège Sainte-Marie in Montreal, he entered the Jesuit novitiate in Angers, France in 1857, at the age of 19. Three years later, he made his first vows in St. Acheul, Amiens, where he also made his juniorate. While residing in France, Jones dedicated himself to nurturing his artistic abilities, capturing the essence of various scenes through his meticulous sketching endeavours. He then completed a first year of philosophy in Vals before returning to Montreal in 1861 where he taught preparatory classes at Collège Sainte-Marie for one year.

In 1862, he went to Boston College for his second year of philosophy, then completed his third year at St. John’s College, in Fordham, New York, where he remained and taught literature, history, and rhetoric from 1864 to 1870. In 1870, he began theology studies at Woodstock College in Maryland and was ordained to the priesthood on July 2, 1873. Arthur E. Jones continued his studies in humanities at St. Francis Xavier College in New York, where he also became professor from 1874 to 1875. Back in Montreal, he followed his tertianship at Sault-au-Récollet. Between 1876 and 1881, Father Jones served as instructor at Collège Sainte-Marie, delivered Sunday evening sermons at the Gesù church, and provided ministerial duties in Guelph, Ontario until 1882.

In 1882, Father Jones assumed the role of archivist at the Archives du Collèges Sainte-Marie, succeeding Félix Martin, S.J. He held this position from 1882 to 1901, and again from 1904 to 1918. Following the establishment of Loyola College in Montreal in 1896, Father Jones assumed responsibility for its administration, serving as president from June 23, 1901, to August 3, 1904. In his role as archivist, Father Jones not only carried forward the legacy initiated by Félix Martin S.J. in curating the archives concerning the history of the Jesuits in New France during their suppression and re-establishment, but also significantly expanded their scope. While also serving as editor of The Canadian Messenger from 1892 to 1896, he identified, documented, and translated manuscripts, as well as added new documents related to the Society of Jesus, resulting in the enrichment of the Jesuits’ archives. This will be evidenced on the edited publication, Rare or unpublished documents II. The Aulneau Collection 1734-1745, which was published by the Archives du Collège Sainte-Marie in 1893. Additionally, during his tenure as archivist, Father Jones collaborated with Reuben Gold Thwaites (1853-1913), secretary of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin and editor of the Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents (73 vols., 1896-1901). Father Jones’s knowledge of the Jesuits’ history also led him into the political realm following the enactment of the Jesuits’ Estates Act by the Quebec Legislative Assembly in 1888 and further debates in 1889. Other endeavours tied to Jones’s role as archivist of Collège Sainte-Marie led to him winning the Grand Prize and a Gold Medal for his exhibit in the Historical Section of the Jesuit Exhibits at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition (or St. Louis World’s Fair) in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1904.

Father Jones’s scholarly interests expanded to include archaeological and historical inquiries focusing on the Jesuits martyrs. He dedicated himself to locating and identifying sites associated with these martyrs while simultaneously pursuing his research into archaeology, history, and languages of the Huron-Wendat and Tionontati (or Petun) peoples. Access to archival sources, manuscripts, and cartographic materials from the Archive du Collège Sainte-Marie, along with expeditions conducted in 1902, aided Father Jones in compiling information. The outcome of his research resulted in a published article, “Identification of St. Ignace II and Ekarenniondi,” in the 1902 Annual Archaeological Report, as well as the publication of his major work, “8endake Ehen or Old Huronia,” by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, included in the Fifth Report of the Bureau of Archives for the Province of Ontario in 1908 and 1909. Despite encountering dissent regarding his report and reference work, particularly among members from archaeological and historical societies, Father Jones was granted an honorary degree of LLD from the University of Toronto in 1913. Throughout his final years, he persisted in his investigations into the Jesuit missions among the Huron-Wendat, undertaking the compilation of an unpublished manuscript on the Wyandots in 1912. During his lifelong dedication and career journey, Father Jones was a member of prominent historical societies and held membership in the Royal Society of Canada. He passed away in Montreal on January 19, 1918.

François Danserau, senior archivist, 2021; Maria E. Osorio Oliveros, practicum student, 2024.

Fay, Terence J. “Jones, Arthur E.” In Dictionary of Jesuit Biography: Ministry to English Canada, 1842-1987. Toronto, Ontario: Canadian Institute of Jesuit Studies, 1991.