original and rare c. 1846-1847 iron pontiled bright teal porter shaped mineral water bottle manufactured for philadelphia bottler cornelius jones. the front body is embossed "jones's / mineral water / phil. a" with a large space and raised end-letter 'a' in the city. the reverse is embossed with a single large "j". low, steep shoulders taper into a long neck finished with a wide applied tapered collar that exhibits some slop. the base has a deep kickup with residue from the iron pontil. cornelius jones was a tavern owner who bottled mineral water. jones was born about 1813 according to the philadelphia census records. he immigrated to the us from england and arrived in philadelphia in 1839. immediately, jones set up a tailoring business at 485 north second street. during 1841 he took over the operatioons of a tavern at 25 strawberry street from john lochary jr. during 1843 he moved to 26 franklin place and during 1845 he took over the tavern run by christopher harper, calling it the rainbow hotel. at some time about 1843 jones was in a partnership with a schoch to start a soda water business. this likely operated out of the basement of the franklin place tavern. it was short lived and jones had control of business about 1844. jones did little to advertise his mineral water or his hotel. he continued to operate the tavern and mineral water business until 1850. it is possible that he over-extended himself in opening a second location at 3 carter's alley and had to give up on both businesses. jones then returned to the tailoring business and eventually sold hosiery and trimmings on south second street, partnering with his son william w as c. jones & son. jones likely died during 1883.