Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1915-07-09

The benefactor of John Paul
figures in the annals simply as
Willie Jones. Possibly his name
was William, but he lived before
the days of the Little Willie"
jokes and he signs all documents
with the endearingti tie of Willie.
He was the son of that Robin
Jones. a Highlander of gentle
blood, who was Attorney General
Of North Carolina under royal
rule. His manorial estate, called
the Grove, was renowned in pre-
revolutionary days for hospitality
and for the distinguished guests
entertained there.
Allen Jones, brother of Willie
Jones, became a general in the
patriotic army and later served
his State signally in the Legis-
lature. The Jones mansion,
though now in pathetic ruins,
retains much Of its former beauty.
All the wood, carved and richly
stained, came from England.
No home in the South can show
more stately halls and drawing
rooms, while the stairways are
marveps even yet. The daintiest
of parquetry, still intact after
three years of neglect, adorns
the floors Of the pretty music
room, and satinwood in panels,
with lovely Cupids flying about
the oado, proclaims the wealth
and culture of the Jones family.
1T was to this beautiful home
that Willie Jones brought the
youthful Scotch sailor, John
Paul. Mr.. Jones had met him
previously in Virginia. Later
when the adventuresome were
gathering in large numbers
about Halifax he again encoun-
tered the Scotch boy and, feeling
pity for his lack of success in the
new country. cordially asked
him to the Grove until his for
tune mended. From that time
the history of John Paul mingles
intimately with that of the Jones
family, and to study the one is
to secure records of both. From
letters and papers of the day we
learn that the Scotch sailor was
almost unlettered, and that at
once the generous host began to
take his education in hand.
His great intellect showed it.
self instantly, 80 that after few
years tutorship in the home Of
his benefactor we find the daring
sea fighter emerging a polish
ed man of letters, graceful and ac-
complished, versed in the ways
of the world, but yet so unworld-
ly that he asked and received
permission to add the name Jones
to his own. the greatest tribute
he could pay and one which ar
sured its immortality. 1t is
John Paul Jones henceforth in
the record, and while he remain
ed on American soil his steps
bent toward the Grove and it was
to him a refuge and support,
even as Mount Vernon was to
Washington, Monticello to JEFF
ferson, Sunnyside to Irving.
1t was in the grand and
sumptuous main drawing room
that Commodore Jones received
the sword now so sacredly guard
ed in the Navy Department.
And in the fine old library,
where the ancient mahogany has
detied time and the abuse of
negro tenants, Willie Jones wrote
his friend, Joseph Hewes, chair
man of the naval affairs in the
Continental Congress sitting in
Philadelphia, commencing to his
good Offices his young protegee
John Paul. This letter undoubt-
edly obtained for the ambitious
youth his first commission in the
Continental Navy.
Then, at the request of Willie
Jones, Hewes interested him
self in the valor of young Paul
Jones and gave him full support
from his adopted State, North
Carolina. Lastly Gov. Samuel
Johnston wrote to Mr.. Jones in