Elbert Floyd-Jones (February 7, 1817 – February 17, 1901) was an American politician who served in the New York State Assembly in 1845 and again from 1876 to 1878.
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Early life
A descendant of an old Long Island family, he was born at the family mansion on the Fort Neck estate in South Oyster Bay, New York (then Queens, now Nassau County). He was the youngest son of Brig.-Gen. Thomas Floyd-Jones (1788–1851) and Cornelia Haring (née Jones) Floyd-Jones (1796–1839). Among his siblings were Lt.-Gov. of New York David R. Floyd-Jones, merchant William Floyd-Jones, and Sarah Maria Floyd-Jones (wife of Coleman Williams).
His paternal grandparents were David Richard Floyd-Jones and Sarah (née Onderdonk) Floyd-Jones and his maternal grandfather was Maj. William Jones. Among his extended family was his uncle, New York State Senator Henry Floyd-Jones, and first cousin, Col. DeLancey Floyd-Jones. He was a descendant of William Floyd, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and Maj. Thomas Jones who owned what is known today as Jones Beach.
Floyd-Jones devoted his early years to "agricultural pursuits and the raising of fine trotting horses."
Career
In 1845, Floyd-Jones served as a Democratic member of the New York State Assembly, representing all of Queens County, which extended from the East River to Suffolk County, during the 68th New York State Legislature. During the U.S. Civil War, Floyd-Jones was an ardent supporter of the Union, and was a "candidate for the Vice Presidency of the United States."
He was again a member of the Assembly in the years 1877 and 1878 in the 100th and 101st New York State Legislatures. By this time, Queens County was split into two districts and he represented District 1. Following the death of Benjamin D. Silliman on January 24, 1901, Floyd-Jones became the oldest living former-member of the Assembly.
Personal life
During his lifetime, Floyd-Jones was married four times. His first marriage was on June 5, 1838 to Emily Glentworth (1815–1845), daughter of Dr. Plunket Fleeson Glentworth and Harriet Straker (née Budden) Glentworth. Together, they were the parents of:
Cornelia Floyd-Jones (1839–1890), who married Richard Van Wyck Thorne.
Thomas Floyd-Jones (1841–1919), who married Julia Haines.
George Floyd-Jones (1842–1927), who married Antoinette Wood, a daughter of Royal and Charlotte (née Kortright) Wood, in 1868.
Emily Glentworth Floyd-Jones (1845–1923), who married Howard Malcolm Giles in 1869.
His second marriage was on January 25, 1848 to Mary Caroline Wigham (1828–1867), a daughter of Isaac Wigham and Mary (née Seaman) Wigham of New York City. Together, they were the parents of:
William Floyd-Jones (1851–1857), who died young.
Mary Wigham Floyd-Jones (1853–1855), who died young.
Elizabeth Underhill Floyd-Jones (b. 1858)
Edward Pearsall Floyd-Jones (b. 1860)
Arthur Floyd-Jones
Elbert Floyd-Jones (b. 1867).
He married thirdly on October 21, 1869 to Martha A. Thorne (1836–1870), daughter of Mr. Thorne and Sarah (née Townsend) Thorne. Together, they were the parents of:
Sarah Thorne Floyd-Jones (1870–1870), who died young.