The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-03-09
JOHN PAUL JONES.
An Outline of his Life--.why he Changed
his Name---His Naval Career.

Inc Daltlmore Sun prints letter
from a correspondent residing in
Buckingham county, Va, containing
some interesting statements connected
with the career of the naval hero of the
Revolution, John Paul Jones, and espe-
cially explaining the addition of the
name of Jones to his original name, John
Paul. The accuracy of the letter, the
So, says, is vouched for by Hon. E. W.
Hubbard, of Virginia, formerly men,
Der of the House of Representatives
from that State, and who, in 1874, made
an elaborate report in favor of paying
the balance of the outstanding Virginia
Revolutionary land bounty claims. In
the preparation of this report the claim
OF Commodore John Paul Jones came
under review, and was passed upon
formally. The investigation of this
claim necessarily required knowledge
of the history of Paul Jones, and all the
facts pertaining to it. Mr.. Hubbard
has also had information of Jones from
his South Carolina relations. The main
portion OF the communication, which he
indorses, is reproduced below:
The outline of his lie is briefly told.
John Paul, the son of gardener. was
land. At the age of twelve years he went
to sea. In 1773 the death of his brother,
in Virginia, whose heir he was, induced
him to settle in America. 1t was then
he added to his name and thenceforth
was known as Paul Jones This was
done In compliment to one of the most
noted statesmen of that day, and in the
love and gratitude it shadows forth is Il
scathing reproach and a touching exam
pie to people who could neglect i'll life
and forget i'll death.
1t appears that before p rmauently
settling i'll Virginia, moved by the rest
iessness of his old seafaring life, he
wandered about the country, finally
straying to North Carolina. There he
became acquainted with two brothers,
Willie aud Allan Jones. They were both
leaders in their day, and wise and hon
ored in their generation. Allen Jones
was an orator and silver-tongued; Willie
Jones, the foremost man of his State,
and one. Of the most remarkable of his
time. A short sketch of his public SER
vices will not be out of place. Educated
abroad, profound and eloquent scholar
he was thinker and actor rather than
speaker. Like Franklin and Jeffer-
sou, he, perhaps, owed his uncompro.
missing republicanism to the abuses of
royalty he had seen in the old world
He served as governor in 1776, refusing
compensation; was in the Continental
Congress of 17S0-81, and, in fact, filled
every office in the gift of the State. He
is especially memorable now for his re-,
fusal to act as delegate to the conven-
ton which framed the Constitution, and
for having caused the rejection of that
Constitution by North Carolina in 1888.
His home, "The Grove" near Hall
fax, was not only the resort of the Guilt
waited and refined, but the home of the
homeless, Mrs. Jones having sometimes
twenty orphan girls under her charge,
and it was here the young adventurer,
John Paul, was first touched by those
gentler and purer influences which not
only changed his name but also himself
from the rough and reckless mariner
into the polished man of society, who
was the companion of kings and the lion
and poet of Partisan saloons. The al
most worshiping love and reverence
awakened in his hitherto wild aid uu-
tanned nature by the generous kindness
of the brothers found expression in his
adoption of their name.
The truth of this account is not only
attested by the descendants of Willie
Jones, but by the nephew and represen-
tative OF Paul Jones, Mr.. London, OF
Oharlestown, s. G. This gentleman, in
1916, was in Washington awaiting the
passage of bill by Congress, awarding
him the land claim of his distinguished
uncle, Paul Jones, which had been al
lowedb by the executive OF Virginia. Hon.
E. W. Hubbard, then member of Con.
gress from Virginia, had in 1874 pre-.
pared report on Virginia land claims,
in which the committee indorsed that oi
Paul Jones. This naturally attracted
Mr.. London to him, and learning that
Mrs. HUBBARD was descendant of Willie
Jones, he repeated to both Col. Hubbard
and herself the cause of his uncle's change
of name, and added that among his pic
lures hung a portrait of Allan Jones.
Mr.. London was cultivated and highly
intelligent gentleman, but in exceeding
ly delicate health, and the suspense ant
anxiety of his long waiting on the action
OF Congress no doubt fastened hi
death, which occurred before he had re
ceived the reward of the splendid genius
which had made our arms as famous OF
sea as on land. He left one child, an in
teresting little girl.
But what of the Serapis of hundred
years ago. Let us see. The twenty
third of September, 1879, round Flam
borough Head, swept into sight his ma
jesty's an-of-war the Scraps. Newl,
built, thoroughly equipped, superbl!
manned, with reputation for unrivale(
speed, she moved majestically to tn
south with fleet of forty sail and con
voy. Awaiting her was battered In
diaman, owned by the king of France
commanded by man whose hands haC
been the first to raise our battle flag {
pine under which coils rattlesnake
with reared head ready to strike, ant
the motto, Don't tread on me"), who
in his first cruise of sixteen weeks a
captain, gained sixteen prizes who
afte.. weary delays in a ship "cranl
and Slow" had crossed the ocean, ant
firing the shipping of Whitehaven mad
his name terror to the British coast
and who now, still neglected by Con
gress, owed his vessel to Louis and hi
small squadron to the efforts of Franklin
OF this squadron but two were with him
OF these one put out to sea as soon as sh
had ascertained the force of the enemy
and the movements of the other wer
vacillating and uncertain.
But there was no uncertainty or hesi
fancy on board LIE Bon Homme Richard
where the men, fired by the dauntles
courage and invincible spirit of thei
leader, made ready for battle. Nigh
came on, and, glass in hand, Paul Jone