Jones fans will want to bookmark this page. It is our version of the life of
JPJ, year by year. Feel free to email us with suggested changes or additions.
This is a great starting point for our dozens of articles about Captain Jones
on SeacaostNH.com.
Born in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland to John Paul, gardener at Arbigland and
mother of MacDuff clan. His birth was not registered.
1759
Apprenticed aboard "Friendship" to Fredricksburg, VA, Some biographers speculate
he served a period in Royal Navy, but unlikely.
1764
Third mate on slave ship King George
1765
His father dies.
1766
First mate on slave ship Two Friends
1768
Unlikely, but may have toured with theatrical company in the West Indies. Shipped
on brig John. Navigates it home when captain and mate die of yellow fever. Made
master and supercargo. Orders sailor Mungo Maxwell flogged. He later dies while
on another ship and John Paul is arrested for homicide. He is released on bail
and obtains documents proving Maxwell died of yellow fever, not of his wounds.
But the rumor dogs him for life.
1773
As captain and possibly owner of The Betsy, he choses not to pay crew members
while in the West Indies, When one attacks in anger John Paul kills him with a
broadsword in 'self defense.' With no admiralty court in session to hear his case,
he flees to America temporarily as John Jones, leaving his money behind in Tobago.
His wherabouts for the next 20 months is speculative.
A FRESH START IN AMERICA
1774
Arrives back in Fredricksburg, VA. As a Mason, meets many influential Virginia
revolutionaries. Assumes the name John Jones and plans to be a Virginia farmer.
Short engagement to Dorothea Dandridge who soon after marries Patrick Henry. His
brother William, a VA tailor, dies, but leaves nothing to John.
1775
Writes to Joseph Hewes, John Morris, Thomas Jefferson requesting naval appointment.
His request coincides with the birth of the American Navy in October 1775 and
the Marines are created in November. First called himself John Paul Jones in Philadelphia
at this time. In December Jones is first to raise "Grand Union" liberty flag (not
the Stars and Stripes) and is the first-ever to be commissioned as lieutenant
in the Continental Navy in December. He is given command of The Alfred which,
as part of a fleet, seizes a shipload of British munitions.
April
1776
Alfred is among Commodore Hopkins fleet as Jones engages HMS Glasgow to protect
captured prizes.
May
1776
Given command of Providence used to escort merchant ships. Writes to Joseph Hewes
with ideas for modernizing Navy. Meets John Hancock and gains status of Captain.
August
1776
Captures eight British prizes and destroys eight other ships while eluding larger
warships in seven weeks aboard Providence.
Oct
1776
Despite best sea record, Jones is #18 on list of captains commissioned by the
Continental Navy.
Nov
1776
As Captain of the Alfred, captures prizes in a northern campaign. Key prize 'Mellish'
contains winter uniforms intended for British army in Canada.
Early
1777
Two planned missions are scrubbed and Jones goes to Philadelphia to discuss problems
in his commission papers with Alexander Hamilton Assigned to command French ship
Amphitrite arriving in Portsmouth, NH, but arrangement falls through due to miscommunication.
RANGER, BONHOMME, VICTORY & FAME
June 14
1777
Re-assigned to The Ranger being built in Portsmouth. Assigned on same day that
US flag is adopted. Struggles with builder John Langdon over building and equipping
his ship.
Nov
1777
Ranger sets sail for France with plan to pick up new heavy frigate L'indien being
made for America in Holland. He is given full choice of British targets to attack.
Takes two small prizes en route.
1778
Meets Ambassador Ben Franklin in France and discovers The L'indien is not available.
Ranger becomes first US ship recognized by foreign power. Piscataqua, NH crew
desires to return home.
April
1778
Sinks, burns and captures ships along the Irish coast in the Ranger. Attack at
Whitehaven, England and "raid" on Selkirk mansion near Jones' birthplace where
one plate is taken as token. First American vessel to capture British man of war
HMS Drake. Takes 200 prisoners to France for exchange, waits there nine months
for relief. Plans further British raid with Franklin.
Feb
1779
Receives command of Bonhomme Richard which he staffs with 380 crew including
just 75 Americans and a mixture of British, Scotch, Irish, Portuguese
Sep
1779
Capt Person struck - Jones crew and wounded were removed to the Serapis - 36
hours later the last man left the Bonhomme. At 11AM JPJ watched her sink, "Even
though she sunk she was victorious..." JPJ said. He sailed Serapis to Holland.
Dec
1779
Given command of Alliance and sails to France where he is the toast of French
society. He now holds 500 prisoners of war.
Oct
1780
Given command of loaned French ship Ariel which is nearly destroyed in a storm,
but skillfully saved. After long repair period, sails to Philadelphia. Although,
as yet unpaid for all his years of service, he receives commendations from Congress
and is cleared of any and all charges held against him.
June
1781
Given command of ship America in Portsmouth, which he finds only half built.
Pushes builder John Langdon to complete work while studying and enjoying social
life in Revolutionary NH.
Sept
1782
After more than a year of work, Jones is told by Congress that he will not receive
command, that instead, the America will be given to France.
Dec
1782
Receives permission from Congress to join French fleet's planned invasion of
Jamaica, leaves on Triomphante.
May
1783
Returns to Philadelphia quite ill after invasion cancelled. Petitions Congress
unsuccessfully for advanced rank and back wages.
Nov
1783
Sails to France as official US Congress "prize agent" to recover unpaid income
from prizes won in battle. Spends years in France and gets some promised reparation
for himself and past crews. Romantically involved with mysterious "Madame T".
1787
Returns to United States to collect settlement, but still cannot improve military
rank. Offer of Major General rank in Russian navy is received.
Mar
1788
Makes "secret" journey to Denmark for payment of overdue prizes. Unsuccessful
there, but accepts Russian offer. Sails from Stockholm.
RUSSIA & DEATH
April
1788
Arrives in St. Petersburgh requesting rank of Rear Admiral with full command
power. However, in an assault on Turkish forces, he finds his ships in poor repair
and manned by Russian serfs who are beset by diseases. Jones' reports of the seige
are blocked from reaching Catherine the Great by her own military leaders. He
is later banned from court at St. Petersburgh and is reportedly "framed" in a
sex scandal by military leaders. When promised commissions do not arrive, he resigns.
1790
Returns to Paris during French Revolution. He is offered a military commission
by George Washington. In ill health, he does not accept.
July 18
1792
Dies in Paris at age 45 and is buried in small private ceremony. In 1905 his
body is transferred to US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
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