John Jones was born in 1800, in a gipsy tent on the side of the main road to Dolgellau.
In 1824 the Breconshire Society for Welsh Minstrelsy was formed 'for the encouragement of performers on the Welsh Harp, and Instruction of poor Blind Boys on that Instrument', and it was John Jones who was appointed instructor.
In 1826 he won the highest award of the silver harp at the Brecon Eisteddfod, the one said to be the first eisteddfod attended by Lady Llanofer, when she was simple Mrs. Hall. The Halls were no doubt impressed by his skill on the instrument, and he was later appointed their family harper.

John Jones
(sketch by Lady Llanofer)

John Jones died at the comparatively young age of 44 years, and was buried in St. Bartholomew's churchyard, Llanofer, where his grave can still be seen, his impeccable lineage as a Welsh harper engraved on the headstone, together with a depiction of a harp, radiating its sweet cadences to the surrounding countryside; a fine monument to a fine harper.

Here lies John Jones, domestic harper to Sir B. Hall, of Llanover, Bart., and formerly of Dolgellau, Merioneth, who died December 12th,1844, aged 44. He excelled on the triple harp, and gained the silver harp at the Brecon Eisteddfod of 1826; and performed on the harp with applause before Her Majesty Queen Victoria, at the royal palace in 1843. He was a pupil of Richard Roberts, of Caernarvon; whose tutor was William Williams, of Penmorfa; whose tutor was John Parry, of Rhuabon, the original of Gray’s Bard;  whose tutor was Robert Parry, of Llanllyfni, in Arfon, who derived his art from the ancient harpers of Wales.

The Grave of John Jones

Ffyddlawn, moeslawn, addfwyn aeth
Trwy'r fydol daith orfodol sy;
A mudo neud oddyma wnaeth
At gor y telynorion fry.

Y beddfaen hwn a gyfodwyd gan ei weddw Ellen Jones

Faithful, courteous, gentle he went
Through the worldly course compelling;
And moved from here verily
To the choir of harpers above.

This tombstone was erected by his widow Ellen Jones

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