The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-07-27

by John Paul during his residence
here, which was nearly two years, as
his lodging quarters 1t was also dur
ing his citizenship here that he re-
ccived his appointment from the
Colonial Congress as lieutenant in the
navy. 1t was here, too, that he added
Jones to his patronymic, which it is
said was in token of the friendly act
of Col. Willie Jones of North Carolina,
who became his bondsnan for $500
when he administered on his brothers
estate
Helped Paul Secure His Commission.
80 ii seems that Willie Jones gave
young John Paul material succor as
well as aid in securing his commits
sion. Cyrus Townsend Brady, in his
fine history, Commodore Paul Jones'"
speaks at length on this subject. He
wrote to my father and myself and
obtained some data in regard to it. He
says that young John Paul. before
coming to America. was in quite strin
gent circumstances and was said 10
have lived for nearly two years on
the small sum of ESQ. Brady says: ut
is probable that his poverty was due
to his inability to realize on his
brothers estate, and the difficulty In
getting a return of his West Indian
settled conditions In regard to his
name Brady says: at is claimed by
the descendants of the Jones family of
North Carolina that while in Freder-
icksburg, the young mariner made the
acquaintance of the celebrated Willie
pronounced Wylie) Jones, one of the
leading attorneys and politicians of
North Carolina Jones and his broth
er Allen were people of great prom
inf in n
II was Jones influence, by the way
which in later years postponed the
ratification Of the proposed cOnStitu
ton of the United States by North
Carolina. Willie Jones seems to have
attended to the legal side of Pauls
claims to his deceased brothers. estate,
and warm friendship sprang up be-
tween the two men so dsSim'ar in
birth and breeding, which led to an
invitation to young Paul to witt Jones
and mis- brother on their plantations.
The lonely friendleSs little Scotsman
gratefully accepted the invitation
the society of gentle people always de-
lighted him. He never loved to mingle
with great people throughout his life
Grove" in Niorthanton COUNTY. the
residence of Willie M. and Mount
Gallant" the home of Allen, in Hall
fax county
A Man of Refinement.
The Jones brothers were men of
culture and refinement. They were
Elton boys. and had completed their
education by travel and observation in
Europe. That they should have be-
come so attached to the young sailor
as to have made him their guest for
long periods and cherished the highest
regard for him subsequently, is an
evidence of the character and quality
of the man. 1t is not improbable, also
that in the society in which he found
himself aud it must be remembered
that North Carolina was no less fer
wildly patriotic, no less DESTROYS of in
dependence than Massachusetts-it
was at Mecklenburg that the first
.jctlaration tclok place-the intense
love of personal liberty and independ-
ence in his character which had made
him abandon the slave trade was
further developed and that during this
period, he finally determined to be-
come a resident of the new land; a
resolution that made him cast his lot
with the other colonists when the in
evitable came about.
1t is stated that in view of this de-
termination on his part to begin life
anew in this country, and as mark
of the affection and gratitude he en-
factors. he assumed the name of Jones.
Did Not Change Name as Disguise.
He did not assume the name OF
Jones, however, out of any disregard
to his family or from any desire to
disguise himself from them, for al
though he last saw them in 1771, he
ever continued in correspondence with
them, and found means, whatever his
circumstances. to make them frequent
remittances of money during his busy
life. To them he left all his property
at his death. 1t is certain, therefore
that for no reason for which he had
cause to be ashamed did he affix the
name of Jones to his birth name.
One other incident of this period is
noteworthy. During his visit to North
Carolina he was introduced by the
Jones brothers to Joseph Hewes, OF
Edenton, one of the delegates from
North Carolina to the First and Second
Provincial Congress and a signer Of
the great Declaration of Independ-
oncc. In Congress HeweS was prom
inent member of the Committee on
Naval Affairs, upon which davolved
the work of beginning and carrying or
the navy Of the Revolution. When
the war broke out Paul Jones was
still living In retirement. But when
steps were taken to organize navy
for the revolted colonies, attracted by
the opportunities presented in that
field of action in which he was q mas
ter, he formally rendered his services
to his adopted country. The influence
of Willie Jones and Joseph Hewes was
secured, and Dec. Z, 1775. Jones was
appointed lieutenant in the new Con
tinental navy.
COMING BALL AT MECKLENBURG.