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This page: updated 21st February 2023

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John Paul Jones
Dumfries and Galloway

John Paul Jones and Dumfries & Galloway

John Paul Jones helped establish the traditions of courage and professionalism that the United States Navy proudly maintains today.

In life and battle he exemplified a hero's determination and upheld America's ideals of liberty and independence from tyranny.

His Time in Scotland

John Paul JonesJones was born 6 July 1747 in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland to John Paul, gardener at Arbigland, Kirkbean,and mother of MacDuff Clan. His birth was not registered.

In 1759 he apprenticed aboard "Friendship" to Fredricksburg, VA. Between 1764 and 1773 he worked on slave ships, first as third mate and later as first mate. He was accused of murder while he pledged on self defense. Avoiding court of justice he flees to America. In 1774 he arrives back in Fredericksburg, VA

Life in America

Jones writes to Joseph Hewes, John Morris, Thomas Jefferson requesting naval appointment.In December 1775 Jones received his lieutenant's commission from the Continental Congress for its navy. On 3 December 1775, as first lieutenant of Alfred, he hoisted the Grand Union flag for the first time on a Continental warship.

The flag's Union Jack in the upper left canton and thirteen red and white stripes represented a united resistance to tyranny but loyalty to the British King.

Navy Commemorates

On 6 July 1997 the Navy commemorates the 250th anniversary of the birth of John Paul Jones. The man whom Thomas Jefferson later described as "the principal hope of America's future efforts on the ocean"