The Life, Character, and Public Services of Commodore Jacob Jones E 182 J6 PAPERS OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF DELAWARE. XLVI. THE LIFE, CHARACTER, AND PUBLIC SERVICES OF COMMODORE JACOB JONES BY MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY. Read before the Historical Society of Delaware, May 21, 1906. THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF DELAWARE, WILMINGTON, 1906. THE JOHN M. ROGERS PRESS, WILMINGTON, DEL. LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CAI SANTA BARUA THE LIFE, CHARACTER, AND PUBLIC SERVICES OF COMMODORE JACOB JONES. Amidst the conflicting scenes and events incident to the Revolutionary times, seven years before Patrick Henry, on the 23rd day of March, 1775, in the convention of delegates which met in St. John's Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia, in closing a speech of unsurpassed eloquence, said, " Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery ? Forbid it, Almighty God ! I know not what course others may take; but, as for me," cried he, "give me liberty, or give me death; " seven years before Washington took command of the Continental Army in Boston on the 3rd day of July, 1775, and eight years before Caesar Rodney made his celebrated ride from near Dover to Philadelphia, where he arrived on the 4th day of July, 1776, and voted for independence; when Washington was but thirty-six years of age, Jacob Jones, the subject of this paper, was born in the month of March, 1768. His birthplace was on a farm about one mile in a north-westerly direction from the town of Smyrna, in Kent county, Delaware. The three counties on the Delaware were not governed under a Royal Charter, as was Massachusetts and most of the other colonies, but our fore- fathers were living in happiness and 4 COMMODORE JA COB JONES. safety under the wise, benignant, and generous Charter of William Penn, the Proprietary. In a letter written by William Penn from I^ondon, in April, 1681, he promised that they should be governed by laws of their own making, and live free and, if they would, a sober and industrious people; that whatever sober and free men could reasonably desire for the security and improvement of their own happi- ness he would heartily comply with. Under this good government Jacob Jones was born. His father was a farmer of exemplary moral and religious character. His mother was of a family greatly respected. She died when he was an infant. His father soon followed her to the grave and at four years of age he was an orphan. Who took this orphan boy, where and by what means he received his training and education is now unknown, for all the com- panions of his youth and early manhood have long, long since joined the silent majority, and perhaps, at the time of his death not one survived to recount the incidents of that remote period. He received a classical education, and decided upon a professional life and chose that of medicine. That pro- fession, in the hands of a skilful honest, judicious, upright, and accomplished man, is one of the richest blessings in a community, and one of the most honorable. Such a man and such a physician, was Dr. James Sykes, who resided in Dover, and was one of the ten delegates from Kent County in the convention which met in Dover, in the month of December 1787, to consider the Federal Constitution agreed upon by the deputies of the United States in a general Con- vention held in the City of Philadelphia on the 1 7th day of September preceding, and then submitted to the several states COMMODORE JA COB JONES. 5 for ratification. Under the direction of this distinguished physician and surgeon, Jacob Jones studied for four years. He continued his studies in the University of Pennsylvania, and returning to Delaware, practised his profession in the county which gave him birth. His particular friend, Hon. John M. Clayton, says of him that he was distinguished and beloved for the benevolence, integrity and frankness of his character. That he enjoyed the entire confidence, not only of the first citizens, but of the highest authorities of his native state. He was appointed by Governor Joshua Clayton, Clerk of the old Superior Court of Delaware. How long he continued to fill that responsible position is not now known. He married the sister of Dr. Sykes and continued his residence in Kent County, until the death of his wife. In the thirty-first year of his age, he relinquished the pursuits of civil and professional life, and entered the Navy of the United States, of which he was to become one of the bright- est ornaments. The aggressions of France and England on the commercial marine of this Country had swept nearly every American merchant ship from the seas. Prior to the Convention of 1800, France alone under various pretexts had captured and destroyed nearly two thousand vessels. At the same time the aggressions upon our commerce com- mitted by Great Britain for the purpose of crippling France by stopping the supply of food from this country, were no less atrocious. Then it was that Jones, who enjoyed the friendship and gloried in the fame of Truxton, forsook the paths of private life, abandoned all the pursuits and studies, and scenes which had become endeared to him by the recollections of youth and manhood, and though past the 6 COMMODORE JACOB JONES. age of thirty accepted a midshipman's warrant that he might do battle for his injured country. His first commission as a Naval Officer bears date the loth day of April, 1799. On the 2oth of February, 1801, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant. On the 2oth of April, 1810, he was made a Master Commandant. On the 3rd day of March, 1813, he was again promoted and rated as a Post- Captain. He made his first cruise under Commodore Barry then regarded as the Father of our Navy. In 1803 Jones was a Lieutenant on the Frigate Philadelphia when that ship with the sloop of war Vixen lay before Tripoli blockading that port. In the latter part of October the Philadelphia when lying about fifteen miles from Tripoli, Captain Bain- bridge her Commander discovered a large ship with Tripolitan colors. He immediately gave chase and continued the pursuit until that ship entered the port; beating out of the harbor on his return from the chase, the Philadelphia ran upon an undescribed rock. Notwithstanding every effort was made to get her off she could not be moved and Bain- bridge was compelled, when an overwhelming Tripolitan force assailed him, to strike the banner of his country to the Cresent of Mahomet. The whole crew exceeding three hundred Americans was captured and imprisoned in a dungeon. In this crew were Bainbridge, Porter, Jones and Biddle, names familiar to every reader of the naval history of our country. Captain Bainbridge, his officers and crew now reduced in a degree to equality by common misery pledged themselves to each other never to separate alive but to endure one common bondage, or enjoy together one general emancipation. Here they remained prisoners for COMMODORE JA COB JONES. 11 associates when in the Mediterranean, Captains Isaac Hull and Jacob Jones. The latter he had by his valor emancipated from a bondage of eighteen months in a Tripolitan dungeon, he now saluted Jones as a champion, victorious over a superior British force. What took place in New York in January, 1813, in honor of these naval heroes is worth relating. The corpor- ation and citizens of that city displayed their hospitality, in a dinner of unsurpassed splendor, served in a capacious hall, colonnaded with masts of ships with flags of all the world suspended upon them. On each table was a minature ship displaying the star spangled banner. An area of ten by twenty feet, was filled with water, with a miniature frigate "United States" floating in it. A mainsail sixteen by thirty-three feet, was suspended in the rear of the artificial lake, upon which was painted the American Eagle, holding in its mouth three medallions, upon one was in- scribed Hull and the Guerriere, on another Jones and the Frolic, on the other Decatur and the Macedonian. A transparency represented the frigate Constitution taking the Guerriere, August i2th, 1812, the frigate United States taking the Macedonian, October 25, 1812, the Wasp taking the Frolic, November i8th, 1812. Decatur was appointed to the command of a squadron con- sisting of the United States (his flag ship) the frigate Mace- donian, Captain Jacob Jones, and the sloop-of-war Hornet, Captain Biddle. On the 24th of May, 1813, Decatur sailed on a cruise and on January ist, 1814, when off the harbor of New London, Connecticut, met a greatly superior force of British men-of-war. The American squadron made good their retreat into the harbor of New London, and Decatur, 12 COMMODORE JA COB JONES. Jones and Biddle found themselves blockaded. The vigilance of the blockading squadron was such that no opportunity occurred to attempt an escape with any hope of success, and as the enemy would not attack them at anchor, Decatur, Jones and Biddle seven months after the blockade, turned their attention to a new species of Naval armament, invented by that unequalled machinest Robert Fulton, and in the following (at this day rather amusing) Certificate, we have the opinion of these distinguished naval characters, of Fulton's steam frigate. NEW LONDON, January 3, 1814. We the undersigned have this day examined the model and plans of a vessel of war, submitted to us by Robert Fulton, to carry twenty-four guns, twenty-four or thirty- two pounders and use red hot shot, to be propelled by steam at the speed of from four to five miles an hour without the aid of wind or tide. The properties of which vessel are: That without masts or sails, she can move with sufficient speed; that her machinery being guarded she cannot be crippled; that her sides are so thick as to be impregnable to every kind of shot, and in a calm or light breeze she can take choice of position or distance from an enemy. Consid- ering the speed which the application of steam has already given to heavy floating bodies, we have full confidence that should such a vessel move only four miles an hour, she could under favorable circumstances, which may always be gained over enemies vessels in our ports, harbors, bays and sounds, be rendered more formidable to an enemy than any kind of engine hitherto invented. And in such case she would be equal to the destruction of one or more seventy- fours, or of compelling her or them to depart from our waters. COMMODORE JA COB JONES. 13 We, therefore, give it as our decided opinion, that it is among the best interests of the United States, to carry this plan into immediate execution. Signed, STEPHEN DECATUR, JACOB JONES, J. BIDDI.E. NEW YORK, January 10, 1814. We the subscribers having examined the model of the above described vessel of war, to be propelled by steam, do fully concur in the above opinion of the practicability and utility of the same. O. H. PERRY, SAMUEI, EVANS, Iy. WARRINGTON, J. LEWIS. Decatur with the United States, and Jones with the Macedonian, offered to fight his Britannic Majesty's ships "Endymion" and "Statira", two of the blockading ships of equal force, and dispatched Captain Biddle under a flag of truce with a challenge, but it was declined. The blockade continued until peace was declared. One of the frigates in the squadron destined to the Medi- terranian under Decatur, in 1815, was the Macedonian, com- manded by Jones, sailing from New York, May 2oth, the squadron reached Gibraltar on the 1 4th of June. Decatur sail- ed around the harbor with his squadron in elegant style, with his broad pendant, and all his flags flying, without coming to anchor. As he was passing around, a number of British naval officers were critically viewing the fleet. One of them asked an American gentleman present to give the names of 14 COMMODORE JA COB JONES. the different ships. With the utmost politeness he pointed to the Commodore's and said "That is the Guerriere," then pointing to Captain Jones', "That is the Macedonian," then at Lieutenant Downes' , ' 'That is the Emperior, ' ' and proceed- ing, the next sir is "oh damn the next," said they, and in chagrin walked away at hearing the names of three ships captured from their navy. On the 2d of August the squadron sailed for Tripoli, and anchored there on the 5th. From the deck of the Macedonian the gallant Jones could view the dungeon in which he was for so many weary months imprisoned. Jones was now about forty-eight years of age. His life dur- ing the stormy struggle which ended with the peace of 1815, and for a long time after that was one of continued hardship, for he actually served at sea, at various times after he entered the Navy twenty-two years and nine months. His last cruise of three years and two months in the Pacific, terminated in the month of October 1829 when he was in the sixty-second year of his age. He was afterwards honored with the most important commands in the service on shore, at the Navy Yards at New York, Baltimore and the Naval Asylum at Philadelphia. He remained in the Navy fifty-two years and in every station conducted himself to the satisfaction of his government. The order of Cincinnati admitted him into the society as an honorary member. After having enjoyed dur- ing a long life, the society of a large number of devoted friends, and the respect and esteem of his countrymen he descended to the grave crowned with a fame which not even personal malice or envy itself would dare attempt to tarnish. Honorable John M. Clayton in an address upon his life character and public services, in closing said, "I could COMMODORE JACOB JONES. 15 not bestow a better eulogism upon the character of Jacob Jones than to add, as I do now with perfect truth, that the love of country was his ruling passion. He was the associate of the revolutionary patriots of Delaware and was reared in a school whose devotion to the Union knew no limits. At all periods of his life he manifested the most profound deference to the Laws and Constitution of his country. Indeed it is a subject of sincere congratulation that no true son of Delaware has ever yet proved faithless to the obligations she assumed, when she led her sister states and carried away the honor of being the first to adopt the American Constitution, and at this moment I do not know a citizen born or living within her limits who does not regard the Union, as the Jews regarded the Ark of the Covenant, which none could desecrate and live. The affection for it among us grows stronger with its increasing age. And the name of its immortal founder; The father of of his country' ' becomes every year more endeared to us as the flight of time covers it with the shadows of antiquity." Jones died in Philadelphia on Saturday the 3rd day of August 1 850 in the eighty-third year of his age. He had been Governor of the Naval Asylum on the Schuylkill, but owing to age and physical infirmities was relieved from that command only a short time before his death. His funeral took place on the 6th or yth. His body was deposited in the receiving vault of the Ronaldson Cemetery, at Eighth and Fitzwater streets, with such appropriate military honors as his high rank and distinguished services entitled him. George C. Read then in command of the United States Navy yard in Philadelphia, in a letter dated Oct. i6th, 1850, said, ' 'I was a pall-bearer on the occasion of the late funeral honors 16 COMMODORE JACOB JONES, paid to the remains of this lamented and distinguished officer. He was one of my oldest friends, for whom I entertained the most elevated regard." The National Guards of Phila- delphia, under the command of Captain P. L,yle, attended his funeral on that occasion as his body guard. On the 1 3th of the same month August his remains were removed to Cecilton, Maryland, and buried in the Cemetery adjoin- ing St. Stephen's Church. During the latter part of the life of the Commodore, he frequently expressed an ardent desire that his body might be permitted finally to repose beneath the soil of his native state, for which state, he had always during his eventful career, manifested the strongest regard and deepest affec- tion. When the intelligence of his death was received in Wilmington, the citizens immediately determined to adopt such measures as would enable them to comply with his often expressed wish and which would at the same time give them an opportunity to exhibit that respect and gratitude which a long life of brilliant and meritorious service in the defence of his country so eminently entitled him. Accordingly on the day folio wing the removal of his remains from Philadelphia, a meeting of the citizens of Wilmington was held (presumably in the City Hall). Dr. Henry F. Askew, Win. R. Sellers and George W. Sparks, members of the Board of Directors of the Wilmington and Brandy- wine Cemetery, were appointed a committee to communicate with Mrs. Jones, and make known to her the wish of the citizens of Wilmington to have his body repose in the Wil- mington and Brandy wine Cemetery. On the i4th the Board of Directors sent the following letter to Lieutenant THE MONUMENT ERECTED IN THE WILMINGTON AND BRANDYWINE CEMETERY AT WILMINGTON BY THE STATE OF DELAWARE, IN MEMORY OF COMMODORE JONES COMMODORE JA COB JONES. 17 John P. Gillis, of the United States Navy, then residing in Wilmington. "The Board of Directors of the Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery, uniting in the views expressed by many of their fellow citizens, that the remains of Com- modore Jacob Jones, should repose in his native state, hereby offer to his family a lot in the Cemetery for the purpose of his interment therein and they do not doubt but that it will be the pleasure of the Legislature at its next session to direct the erection of a suitable monument over the remains of so distinguished a son of Delaware. You will please be the medium through which this com- munication may be made known to her. ' ' WILLARD HALL, WILLIAM R. SELLERS, GEORGE W. SPARKS, HENRY F. ASKEW, JOSEPH T. BAILEY, SAM'L WOLLASTON. To Lieut. John P. Gillis, U. S. Navy. On the sixteenth, Lieutenant Gillis sent the following reply: WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, August 16, 1850. GENTLEMEN: In compliance with your note of the four- teenth inst. I have had an interview with Mrs. Jones. She consents to your request that the remains of her beloved husband, the late Commodore Jacob Jones, U. S. Navy, a gallant and distinguished son of Delaware, may repose in his native State, and accepts gratefully your offer of a lot in the Brandywine Cemetery, in the environs of Wilmington, for the purpose mentioned. The body was removed on the thirteenth inst. to Cecil county, Maryland, and is at your disposal for interment here. Commodore Jones always felt 18 COMMODORE JA COB JONES. a strong attachment for his native State and preserved with great care the testimonials of its regard for him. I am, with great regard, Your obedient servant, JOHN P. GILUS. To Hon. WillardHall, Wm. R. Sellers, Geo. W. Sparks, Henry F. Askew, and others. Mrs. Jones having now assented to the wishes of the citizens, a meeting of the Directors of the Cemetery was held and the same committee was authorized to select a lot and requested to superintend the removal and interment of the remains. At a meeting of the board held on the 2nd day of September the Committee reported that they had selected lot No. \y 2 , in section W, and it was on motion appropriated for that purpose. At a meeting of the board held on the 28th day of September, the committee of arrangements reported on the subject of funeral ceremonies that they had attended to that duty, so far as corresponding with the different military companies, the Orders of Masons, Odd Fellows, Fire Companies, etc. The committee was continued to perform the duties assigned them with the privilege of adding to their number from the citizens at large, and were instructed to name the day on which the ceremonies should take place. The committee added the following named citizens, John McClung, Alexander Porter, Joshua S. Valen- tine, Zenas B. Glazier, William Simmons, Spencer D. Eves, Wm. Parke Boyce, William H. Pierce, W. H. Jones, J. W. Thompson, and James M. Dixon, and designated Saturday, October 26th, as the day for the ceremonies. COMMODORE JA COB JONES. 19 Notices to that effect were published in the Delaware Gazette and Delaware State Journal. Invitations to attend were given to Commodore Charles Stewart, Foxhall A. Par- ker, Commander-in- Chief of the Home Squadron, I,. B. Webster Brevet lieutenant Colonel United States Navy, John Harris of the Marine Barracks Philadelphia, P. I^yle Captain of the National Guards of Philadelphia, John Me Adam Cap- tain of the Washington Greys, Philadelphia, Commander S. F. DuPont, Hon. John M. Clayton, James Rogers of Booth- Hurst near New Castle, and many others prominent in this and other states. Commodore Stewart replied that he was under orders for special duty at Washington at that time and could not attend. Commodore Foxhall G. Parker replied that unless prevented by official duties, it would afford him much satisfaction to unite with the citizens of Wilmington in paying the last sad and solemn ceremonies to the memory of his lamented and venerated friend, Commodore Jones, who was an ornament to the Navy and the Country. Lieutenant Webster replied, that he regretted that his command being under orders for New Orleans, would deprive them from uniting with the citizens of Wilmington in testifying their respect for that gallant son of Delaware, the late Commodore Jacob Jones. John Harris that he would join the citizens of Wilmington in paying the funeral honors to the late gal- lant Commodore Jacob Jones. Captain P. Lyle that he and the corps under his command would attend the ceremonies consequent to the re-interment of the remains of the late gallant Commodore Jones, and that they would consider it but a fulfilment of their duty, from the fact of their having had the honor to serve as the body-guard in the funeral ceremonies in this city in August last. 20 COMMODORE JACOB JONES. Captain John McAdam replied that he and the Washington Greys would unite with the citizens of Wilmington in the civic and military honors to be paid to the remains of the brave and gallant son of Delaware. Commander S. F. DuPont that it would give him much satisfaction to unite with the citizens of his native state, in doing honor to the remains of a brave officer and true patriot, whom he had long known and under whom it was his good fortune to have served. Wm. A. Graham Secretary of the Navy, notified the committee under date of October i8th, that the Commandant of the Marine Corps had been directed to order the Marines stationed at Philadelphia to join the procession of the citizens of Wil- mington in the solemn ceremonies attending the re-interment of the remains of the late Commodore Jones. Mr. Clayton wrote on the 25th of October, that being unwell and his family afflicted with sickness he might not be able to attend the ceremonies, but if health and weather would permit, he would endeavor to attend as a pall-bearer. James Rogers that sympathizing as he did with the feelings which prompt- ed citizens of Wilmington, in claiming the remains of the distinguished dead for interment in his native state that with sincere reluctance he was obliged to decline as he would suffer much under the fatigues of the funeral pro- cession. Invitations were extended to all the military com- panies of the state to the Sons of Temperance, Sons of Washington and the Society of Cordwainers. Timely notice having been given to the Rector of St. Stephen's Church and arrangements made for having the body dis- interred, a committee with suitable conveyances went to Cecilton for the remains. In the Delaware State Journal of October 25th the following item was published. COMMODORE JA COB JONES. 21 The remains of Commodore Jacob Jones, will arrive in Wilmington, at three o'clock, today. By a card in another column, all our citizens are invited to meet them at the corner of Market and Water streets, and escort them to the City Hall, where they will remain under Military guard until to-morrow. Notice was also given that the Commo- dore having been a member of the order of Masons, would be buried according to the forms and honors of that order, as well as the honors of war. A convention of the order of Masons of the State had been called, and met at the Masonic Hall in Wilmington, on the i6th of October, for the purpose of making the necessary arrangements in honor of the illus- trious dead. The Journal of the same date (25th) continues: Major Nathaniel Young, a retired officer of the Army resid- ing in New Castle, was invited to arrange and command the procession for the day, he consented and issued his orders, requesting all intending to take part in the procession to be on the ground by one o'clock. At an early hour in the morning, although the day seemed unfavorable, and many who intended to take part in the ceremonies, did not come in consequence, yet the indications of the solemn occasion were perceptible in the hurrying to and fro of the military and citizens generally in their holiday attire. At 12 o'clock a train of cars from Philadelphia arrived bringing several Military companies, and as they filed into Market street the sun broke forth, and their uniforms and brilliant equipments made a most imposing appearance as they proceeded up the street, marching with the utmost precision to the soul stiring strains of martial music from the instruments of several powerful brass bands by which they were accompanied. 22 COMMODORE JACOB JONES. At 2 o'clock everything being in readiness the grand array began to move slowly forward with measured tread to the solemn strains of the "Dead March", and as step by step it proceeded, the sound of the muffled drum and the long drawn wailing sound of the bugle imbued all beholders with feel- ings of awe, and deeply impressed them with the imposing solemnity of the sad but brilliant pageant. The order of the procession was: MAJOR NATHANIEL YOUNG AND STAFF: Col. William G. Whitely, J. F. Price, Esq., and Dr. James W. Thompson. CHIEF MARSHAL, Captain Thatcher. WILMINGTON VOLUNTEERS. WILMINGTON RIFLE COMPANY. Captain Spencer D. Eves. Twenty-two Rifles. COMPANY "B" DELAWARE ARTILLERY. Major Gilpin. Twenty-eight Muskets with band of music. PHILADELPHIA VOLUNTEERS. NATIONAL GUARDS. Captain P. Lyle. A fine looking body of men, twenty-one in number, attracting much attention, their dress being peculiar, wearing light coats and blue pants. NATIONAL GREYS. Major Fritz. Twenty-five Muskets. WASHINGTON GREYS. Captain Adams. Forty-one Muskets, followed by their three bands, discoursing solemn and touching music. MARINES. From the Phila. Navy Yard, Major Harris Commanding. COMMODORE JA COB JONES. 23 PALL BEARERS. Commander, S. F. DuPont, Lieutenant Fonce, Adams, " Gilles, Captain Henry, " Trenchard, " Harris, " Lambden. HEARSE. Containing the remains of Commodore Jones, encased in an outer coffin, covered with cloth and mounted with silver. The Hearse was a credit to the Undertakers, S. & T. Mc- Clary, of this city. The body of the hearse was paneled in octagon, the top resting on octagon columns, surrounded by a heavy and tasteful cloth-pall over which was an Amer- ican Eagle draped with crape, on either side of the hearse were the pall-bearers and guard of honor. SECOND TROOP OP DELAWARE LIGHT DRAGOONS. Captain Sutton. MASONIC LODGES OF DELAWARE AND PENNSYLVANIA. Numbering one hundred and fifty-five. Marshal, Joseph H. Rogers, of New Castle. BAND OF Music. COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS. MAYOR OF THE CITY. ODD FELLOWS. Numbering One hundred and ten. Marshal, Capt. Paradise. SOCIETY OF CORDWAINERS. SONS OF TEMPERANCE. SONS OF WASHINGTON. Forty members. Marshal, George W. Powell. WILMINGTON BRASS BAND. 24 COMMODORE JA COB JONES. FRIENDSHIP FIRE COMPANY. Forty-four members, dressed in black with silk badges, bearing white pinions draped with crape. BRASS BAND. DELAWARE FIRE COMPANY. Fifty-four members dressed in black with badges of black, buttoned with gold. PHOENIX FIRE COMPANY. Twenty-three members. Black badges with gold letters. BAND. WATER WITCH FIRE COMPANY. Thirty members. Dressed in black, with badges. BAND. FAME HOSE COMPANY. Thirty-four members in white sailor dress, drawing their beautiful Hose Carriage draped in black, bearing a ship, representing the "Wasp", with flag at half-mast. The re- maining members of this fire company followed in citizens dress, thirty-four in number, preceded by their band, draped in crape, making in all sixty-eight members. BAND. WASHINGTON FIRE COMPANY. Thirty-four members, dressed in black, wearing white crape scarfs around their hats. Banner of the Company draped with white crape. CITIZENS. A large number. The orders of Free Masons, Sons of Washington and Odd Fellows in especial made a very handsome appearance. COMMODORE JACOB JONES. 25 The soldiery headed and officered by so many prominent military and naval officers, made the most effective and beautiful display ever witnessed in this city. The collection of military was the largest and most interesting ever seen in this State. The music from the bands was sublimely beau- tiful in its deep solemnity. Indeed the whole pageant was deeply impressive and well calculated to inspire the sensitive mind with feelings of reverential awe. There was nothing gaudy or showy; all was neat, solemn and sincere as the deep wail of the Military band which performed the "Dead March" fell upon our ears. As the hearse passed, we were profoundly impressed on reflecting on the distinguished deeds, and brilliant history of the heroic dead then lying silent beneath the sable canopy with the solemn import of the great warning: "such is the end of earth." After passing through the principal streets of our city the procession wended its way by Delaware avenue to the Cemetery, where the remains were interred with Military and Masonic honors, the Rev. Mr. Cooper making a few appropriate remarks to close the ceremony. He deserved the honor. He deserved the fame he ac- quired, as he deserved the regard and esteem of a multitude of friends who knew how to prize the manly virtues of his private character. He was ' ' as mild in peace, as brave in war. ' ' MAY THE GALLANT DEPARTED REST IN PEACE. The Delaware Gazette of October 29th, said: "The obsequies of the distinguished Naval Hero, Commodore Jacob Jones, the gallant son of Delaware, which took place on Saturday last, was a grand and imposing affair, and were conducted with great pomp and display. 26 COMMODORE JA COB JONES. The Hon. John M. Clayton, who for a long series of years, had been his warm and devoted friend, and who, perhaps, more than most others was familiar with his private and public life, was respectfully and particularly requested to deliver in the city of Wilmington an eulogium on his life, character and public services. Mr. Clayton promptly acceded to this request, and on the lyth day of December, 1850, in the saloon of the Odd Fellows' Hall, at the N. W. corner of Third and King streets, before a large assemblage of the citizens of Delaware, delivered his address. At its conclusion, a meeting was organized by calling the Hon. Willard Hall to the chair, a vote of thanks was unanimously adopted, thanking Mr. Clayton for his eloquent and appro- priate address. On the 26th day of February 1861, the Legislature of our State passed a joint resolution, appointing Captain S. F. DuPont, Capt. John P. Gillis and Doctor Henry F. Askew, to cause a suitable monument to be erected over the remains of Commodore Jones, lying in the Wilmington and Brandy- wine Cemetery, and to enclose the same as a tribute of respect to his distinguished memory, and appropriated the sum of $250.00 for that purpose, subject to their order. Nearly midway between the Delaware avenue entrance and Adams street, and about sixty feet from the iron fence enclosing the Cemetery, can be seen the granite and white marble monument over the grave of this brave, gallant and lamented son of Delaware, who in perils at sea, perils in battle, in the service of his country, devoted fifty-two years of his life. As was said of his contemporary, the lamented Decatur, so may it be said of Jones, "That the love of country was COMMODORE JA COB JONES. 27 his crowning glory. For his country he lived for his country he fought. Living he was admired dying he was lamented, and his memory will be cherished in fond remem- brance, as long as ardent patriotism, fearless courage, and exalted virtues, shall receive an approving sentence in the human heart." Transcript of the record of service of Commodore Jacob Jones, as preserved by the Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 1799, April 10, appointed an Acting Midshipman in the Navy from this date, warrant as such being dated and for- warded on April 13, 1799. Accepted appointed on May i, 1799. Was promoted to Lieutenant from February 27, 1 80 1, his commission as such being dated and forwarded that date. Was ordered to the Constitution on August 4, 1801; furloughed indefinitely on October 15, 1801; ordered to the Constellation on November 21, 1801; ordered to the Philadelphia on May 24, 1803; was taken prisoner by the Tripolitans on October 31, 1803, and liberated on June 3, 1805, was attached to the President in September, 1805; joined the Adams at New York in October, 1805; was ordered to Washington on April 26, 1806; ordered to Port- land, Maine, on May 17, 1806, to command the Ketch Aetna; ordered to the New York Station on March 20, 1807; was 28 COMMODORE JA COB JONES. assigned to court-martial duty on December 7, 1807, and ordered to Norfolk; ordered to the Naval Station, New York, on March 8, 1808. On February 27, 1809, was ordered to give up command of the Brig Argus and to report at the Naval Station, New York. (The Bureau has no available information concerning the date of reporting, or detachment from the Argus). On April 20, 1810, was pro- moted to Master-Commandant; and oh June 4, 1810, was ordered to command the Wasp; on February i, 1813, was ordered to New York, to command the Macedonian; on March 3, 1813, was commissioned a Captain, under confirm- ation of the Senate; on April 6, 1814, was ordered to proceed, with officers and crew of the Macedonian, from New London, Ct., to Sacketts Harbor, N. Y. ; on February 25, 1815, was ordered to proceed from Sacketts Harbor to command the Macedonian at New London, Ct.; on December 26, 1815, was given permission to remain on shore for three months; on March 15, 1816, was ordered to command the Guerriere at Boston; on April 20, 1818, was ordered to command the Constitution at Boston; on October 12, 1829, was granted leave unlimited; on December 28, 1829, was ordered to command the Baltimore Station; on June 23, 1831, was given permission to visit the Eastern Shore of Maryland; on December 5, 1839, ws detached from command of the Baltimore Station and granted leave for three months; on April 1 6, 1842, was again ordered to command the Balti- more Station; on September 23, 1842, was ordered to com- mand the vessels afloat at New York; on September 6, 1845, was ordered to immediate command of the Receiving ship North Carolina: on September 20, 1845, was ordered detach- ed from command of the North Carolina; on January 6, 1846, COMMODORE JA COB JONES. 29 was ordered to command the docks, etc., at New York; on February 4, 1846, finished examination; on June 19, 1847, was appointed Governor of the Naval Asylum from July i, 1847; on June 14, 1850, was detached and granted permis- sion to occupy quarters at the Naval Asylum while sick; on August 3, 1850, died at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Family Record of Commodore Jacob Jones. Jacob Jones was born near Smyrna in March, 1768, his father bore the same name and came from Welsh stock, who settled in middle England and from there came to America. His mother was a Miss McDermott. Both of his parents died before young Jacob reached the age of four years and he was reared by his step-mother, Penelope Holt Jones, the grand- daughter of Ryves Holt who was the first resident Chief Justice of the State of Delaware serving in that distinguished position in the Provincial Courts from 1745 to 1764. A great attachment existed between the step-mother and the son and he gave her the credit for whatever progress he made in the world. After receiving an education obtained in the Grammar schools and at the lyewes Academy, he studied medicine at Dover under Dr. James Sykes, and attended medical lectures at the University of Pennsylvania. Soon after beginning prac- 80 COMMODORE JA COB JONES. tice he married a sister of Dr. Sykes, but she lived but a few years and died childless before he entered the Navy in 1799. He married a second time, but the name of his second wife cannot be ascertained. By the second marriage there was one son Richard A. Jones, who became a Captain in the United States Navy. The latter married Emily Pinckney of Balti- more, both he and his wife died prior to 1860, leaving one son, John Mesroom Jones, who became a priest in the Roman Catholic Church, and died in 1902 while on his way to Italy. There was also a daughter by the second marriage, who became a nun, and died at the Georgetown D. C. Convent being known as Sister Stanislaus. She was L,ady Superior of the convent at the time of her death, and was a woman of marked talent and a fine musician. In 1821, Commodore Jones was married a third time, the lady of his choice being Ruth L,usby of Cecil County, Mary- land, the daughter of a respected land owner in that section. There were four children of the latter marriage, two, Ann Janet and Jacob Henry dying young. A daughter Emily died unmarried a few years after the death of her father. Edward Stanislius Jones the oldest son of the third marriage became a L/ieutenant in the Marine Corps of the United States and was with Perry when he opened the ports of Japan. He married Eliza Gardner Henderson, daughter of General Archibald Henderson for forty years the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps at Washington, D. C. Edward Stanislaus Jones had two sons, Edward S. Jr. who died unmarried, soon after attaining his majority and Frank Cazenove Jones, now living. The latter married in 1883, Harriet Cazenove L,amar, daughter of Gazaway B. I^amar, a native of Augusta, Georgia, but afterward a resident of COMMODORE JA COB JONES. 31 Savannah, and later of New York City. Mr. Lamar was one of the founders and the first President of the Bank of the Republic in New York City. There are now living four descendants of the Commodore, his grandson, Frank Cazenove Jones a resident of New York City and his three children, Paulina Cazenove Jones, Frank Cazenove Jones, Jr. and Florence Cazenove Jones. The oldest son of the Commodore, Edward S., died in 1886, at the age of sixty years, and is buried in the grave-yard adjoin- ing St. Stephen's Church near Cecilton, Maryland. His mother Ruth (Lusby) Jones lies at rest beside him, her grave being marked with a cross of white marble, giving the date of birth as March 2oth, 1796, and the date of death as July 20th, 1868. Commodore Jones was a man of exceedingly plain tastes and thoroughly democratic in his tendencies, but he sprung from a line of ancestry that was distinguished. The family was entitled to a coat of arms, but he maintained that in a Republic no one had the right to use a coat of arms, and his opinions were so radical on this point that he purposely re- frained from telling his wife and children the design of the arms of the family. He possessed three old silver tankards and at his suggestion they were melted and remodeled so that the coat of arms which they bore should be effaced. A seal ring, bearing the family crest, which he sometimes wore, was stolen from him while on one of his early cruises. When urged by his family to inform them as to his coat of arms, his invariable answer was, "I am a Welshman and a leek is my coat of arms' ' . The descendants of the Commodore have in their posses- sion two handsome silver urns presented to the gallant naval 32 COMMODORE JA COB JONES, officer by the State of Delaware and the City of Philadelphia; also a sword with gold handle and Damascus blade, with the accompanying freedom of the city, presented by the City of New York. A gold medal, containing, it is claimed, the best protrait of the Commodore, struck by Congress to per- petuate the famous encounter between the Wasp and the Frolic is also in the grandson's family and highly prized as a memento of this distinguished Delawarean. 3 120502653 1374 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACIUTY II 1 1 Ml I III Ml AA 000925089 5 THE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Santa Barbara THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE STAMPED BELOW. Sprics9482