Surnames: Jefferies, Withrington, Case, Sawyer
James Withrington Jefferies of English lineage and a highly respected citizen of Brownsville, the second son of Evan Jefferies and Rebecca Withrington Jefferies, was born in the city of Bristol, England, August 29, 1806.Evan Jefferies was a native of the city of Cambridge, Glamorganshire, Wales, born February 2, 1766 and was a son of Evans Jefferies of a family of the ancient Briton fathers. He married Miss Rebecca Withrington of London, the latter born June 2nd, 1787.
James Withrington Jefferies was reared in Bristol, England, receiving a good education in the schools of that city. He studied at the Mechanical Institute and learned the trade of general painter. In March, 1832, he came to the United States. He first located in New York City, but remained only four months there on account of the prevalence of the cholera and then removed to Pittsburgh. He remained eight years in the latter city in the successful prosecution of his trade. In 1840 he removed to Brownsville and until he retired from active business in 1874 was successfully engaged in painting.
On October 12, 1828, he was married in St James Church, Bristol, England, to Miss Sarah Case, daughter of John Case and Sarah Sawyer Case. Unto this union were born ten children: Ellen Jefferies; Mary Jefferies, deceased; Maria Jefferies; Anna Jefferies; Caroline Jefferies; Isabella Jefferies; George Jefferies, deceased; Nelson Jefferies; Charles Jefferies; and Frank Jefferies.
Since twelve years of age Mr Jefferies has been a consistent member of the Protestant Episcopal church. He has been a vestryman of Christ's church, Brownsville, for over forty seven years.
For half a century he has been a prominent member of St George's Society, also of the orders of A Y M. At eighty four years of age, Mr Jefferies is now as active in mind and body as most men of sixty. He has always been an upright and successful businessman and an exemplary citizen, worthy of the esteem and respect which he enjoys.