The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1914-09-10
AN HISTORIC SPOT In
THE Old NORTH STATE

Groves at Halifax, The Home of
Willie Jones, to Its Colonial Mag
nifICenCe.
The Elizabeth Montfort Ashe
Chapter Daughters of the American
Revolution of Halifax county, North
Carolina presents the following
statement and appeal for your con-
sideration Will you listen to a de-
scription Of an historic spot, in the
town of Halifax, and learn how
closely it is associated with disting-
uisned men and events of our own
Revolutionary times.
The Groves popularly called
The Grove House, was once the
proud home of Willie pronounced
Wiley) Jones, q Colonial and Revo-
iutionary Patriot. Educated abroad,
a profound scholar, leading attorney
and politician, Willie Jones filled
nearly every office IN the gift of the
State. A friend Of Jefferson, it has
been said, that he was to North
Carolina " hat Jefferson was to Vir-
ginia
Associated with this old Mansion
is another shining light. the bright
est jewel in Americas d;adem #
Masonry. For the wife Of Willie
Jones was a daughter of Joseph
Montfort, the first, last and only
Grand Master OF Masonry of ard
for America. He was an ardent
patriot and Colonel of Colonial
Troops; also the first Clerk OF the
Court of Halifax county; Treasurer
Of the Province of North Carolina:
aud Delegate to the Provincial Con
gress. Unfortunately he was spar
ed to his country only until 1776
1t was a sister Of Mrs. Jones for
whom our Chapter was named, Mrs.
Elizabeth Montfort Ashe, wife Of
John Baptista Ashe
! Mrs. Jones lived to great age,
and was visited by the Marquis de-
Lafayette at ''The Groves" in 1924.
1t was at this house in May, 1881
that the dashing Colonel Tariton, Of
the British Army, received a worse
defeat than the one at the battle of
Cowpens. During the possession Of
the place by the British, Tarlton
with some other officers called at
"The Groves" Mrs. Jones and her
, sister, Mrs. Ashe, reluctantly re-
ceived them. Very soon the conver-
sation drifted to the war, and 6
British officer made some sighting
remark about fhe American Army
and its officers.
MRS. JONES'" said Tarlton, "art
you acquainted with Colonel vii
liam Washington? Ihave heard hin
I spoken Of so often that | WoulC
like to see him." =
''You should havsasooked behin(
you at the battle Of Cowpens, re
piled the spirited Mrs Ashe, anC
( you would have had that pleasure
Colonel Washington does not hide
himself. nor does he run away fror
( an enemy
Tarlton became angry, for he re
membered that handsome Amerl
can had wounded him in the hand II
) that battle and made him run
! though he did not know that it wa
William Washington.
{ II did not run because | wa
afraid, but to save my troops h
5 said. He is no soldier. l am toll
{ he is an ignorant man and canno
; write his name"
( AT any rate, Colonel TarIeton,
I said Mrs. JONES'" he knows how t
5 make his mark, and the signs ar
I still plain
J Thus did these fair patriots NEE
} the enemy and defeat them in wa
of words.
} With this introduction we come
{ the point on hand. We comman
{ your attention by more sJartlin
) and interesting facts. This plae
{ served at one time as the home {
5 one Of the great naval heroes Of tn
I world. Here it was that the youn
I Scotchman, John Paul, found r.
) fuge in his wanderings, and frol
I grateful recognition of kindne
} shown him, adopted the name
J afterwards made SO famous. t
I became known to Willie Jones
} 1772 in Virginia, where he was a
{ customed to take his fap1fy for Il
{ summer. A mutual friendship w
) established, and during tie ne.
{ three years, John Paul spent no