The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-07-27
Re ason Why the Name
was Thus Changed.
SENSE OF GRATITUDE
John Paul Felt Grateful to the Jones
Family of North Carolina. Inc.
dents in The Admiral's Life
Recalled by Mrs. A. T..
Robertson.
Savannah Morning News.)


Washington, d. c., July 22.-The
bringing of the body of John Paul
Jones to the United States for inter-
mcnt revives the story of his name and
something of his history. Mrs. A. l.
Robertson, of Columbia, S. c., de-
scendant of the famous Jones family,
of North Carolina, tells the story as
ii is known in her family, giving an
account that is of deep interest John
Paul added the name Jones to his
own out of gratitude for kindnesSes
shown him by the wealthy Jones
family, Mrs. Robertson says. This is
the account given by her:
1t seems Strane that while no Re-
evolutionary biography can boast more
public events of vivid and intense in
terest than that of John Paul Jones'
none is so bare and meager in per-
sonal detail. He has immortalized q
name which was his only by selection
and adoption. and yet this fact is
slurred over in history with the calm
statement that 'he changed his name
for unknown reasons AS the rea~
sons were unknown and, although diff
ficult to obtain later were then easily
accessible, it appears to have been
more a lack of intelligent investigation
than of any suppression of evidence.
Became Jones Out Of Gratitude.
AS a matter of historical fact the
Scotch sailor. John Paul, took the
name of Jones from two of the most
famous patriots of the Revolution
Allen and Willie Jones. l am the
great granddaughter of Allen
Jones and daughter of Col. CadWal-
lader, who died in 1898, aged Sc years.
l have often heard my father speak
of the we'll known circumstance of
John Paufs adopting the name Of his
great grandfather, which he had
heard of from his great-aunt. Mrs.
Willie Jones. In family genealogical
history which he wrote occurs the fol-
lowing:
A recent sketch of the hlife of Paul
Jones in the Century has revived the
memory of his gallant achievements,
and rekindled public interest in this
famous hero. There is much inquiry
as to his reason for adopting the name
of Jones. 1t is not little remarka BILE
that such an incident in the life of one
SO renowned should so soon be forgot
ten. Let me tell you what l know
about this man and how l know it. The
public mind needs to be refreshed.
When John Paul came to Virginia,
some three years before the war of the
Revolution, looking after an estate left
him by his brother, he visited Halifax
n. c., at that time a place of consid-
cradle repute. Here he made the ac-
quaintance of those two grand old pa
triots Allen and Willie Jones. He was
a young man. but an old tar, with a
bold. frank sailor bearing that attract
ed their attention. He became a fire.
quent visitor to their homes, where he
was always welcome. He soon grew
fond of them and, as a mark of his eS-
TEEN and admiration. he adopted their
name. VIII John Paul became John
Paul Jones-it was his fancy
The Jones Brothers,
The two brothers. Willie and Allen
Jones, were both leaders il their day
and wise and honored in their genera
ton. Allen Jone. was an orator, and
slver-tongued. Willie Jones. the fore
most man of his State, and one of the
most reinarkab BILE of his time. E:S
lie ne, '"The Grove near HalifSY vas
not only the resort of the cultivated
and refined, but the home of the
homeless Mrs. Jones having some,
times twenty orphan girls under her
charge. 1t was here that the young
adventurer, John Paul. was first
touched by those gentlcr and purer in
tiuences which changed not only his
name, but himself. from the rough
ed man of society, the companion Of
kings and the lion and pet of Paris
ian salons, John Paul was thrown
more with Mr.. and Mrs. Willie Jones,
/ think, than with Allen, as he was
more at 1.-The Grove" the residence of
Willie Jones, than at Mount Gallant"
the residence of Allen Jones, though
great deal At both places.
These statements which / heard
nv a
by the history of North Carolina.
Offered His Services to Congress.
Wheeler, in his "reminiscences of
North Carolina, says: THE daring and
celebrated John Paul Jones. whose
real name was John Paul. when quite
young. visited Mr. Willie Jones at
Halifax and became so fascinated with
him and his charming wife that he
adopted their family name. Under this
name, John Paul Jones' he offered his
services to Congress and was made q
lieutenant Dec. II. ITS, on the rec
concentration of Willie Jones The
commission was obtained by Joseph
Hines, one of the signers of the De-
olaration, through letters from Willie
and Allen Jones, who were intimate
friends of his and who had both been
in the First Congress. In the Second
Congress Hewes was the head of the
committee in charge of naval affairs.
and was virtually the first Secretary of
the Navy. / have an exact facSimila
of this commission. The correspondent
of the Charlotte Observer for Novem-
Der, 1899, says:
Fredericksburg, Va, No. 49,
The announcement that the re-
mains of that distinguished naval
hero John Paul Jones, have been To-
Gated in Paris. brings to light that the
deceased was once a resident of this
city. According to the records of the
County Court, he came here in III.
to administer on the records of his
brother William Paul VINO lived here
in 1872. William Paul came here in
1860, and shortly afterwards entered
the mercantile business, in which he
vas engaged up to the time of his
DEATH The store occupied by him IS
on the corner of Main and Market
streets, and is the same building in
which Georges Washington was made
o Mason Tradition also says that one
of the rooms in the building was used