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Excerpt from American Naval Heroes: Jones, Perry, Farragut, Dewey
John Paul's school days ended when he left the par ish school at twelve, but he loved knowledge so dearly that all his life long he was a tireless student and a great reader. Consequently he rose so rapidly in posi tion that when he was eighteen he sailed as first mate and was given a sixth interest in a brig by Mr. Younger. At twenty-one he was made captain of a fine new ship.
For several years longer Captain Paul followed the sea. Then one day when he cast anchor at his brother's plantation he found him fatally ill, dying a few hours after his arrival. By the provisions of old William Jones' will John Paul was to succeed his brother as heir to the estate and, like his brother, assume the name of Jones. Thus Captain John Paul became a Virginia planter and John Paul Jones, or Paul Jones, by which name he is best known to fame.
Being now a man of wealth and position he resolved to leave the sea and enjoy the pleasant life of a Vir ginia planter. For this he was well fitted by his educa tion, refined tastes, and charming manners. Here he became acquainted with Washington and Jefferson, with the Lees and Patrick Henry. But Paul Jones did not long enjoy this pleasant and congenial life. The storm of the Revolution was gathering, and his fiery soul could not help being stirred by it, and he assured his colonial friends that if war should break out he would be on the side of his adopted country and fight for her on the sea. After the battle of Lexington.
Paul Jones offered his services to Congress and was appointed first lieutenant on the Alfred, where he proudly hoisted the first Ameri can flag on an American naval vessel. This was the rattlesnake flag, with the motto, Don't tread on me, so popular with the Continentals.
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