Allen Jones (Continental Congress) Explained

Honorific Prefix:Brigadier General
Allen Jones
Birth Name:Allen Jones
Birth Date:December 24, 1739
Birth Place:Edgecombe County, North Carolina (now Halifax)
Death Place:Northampton County, North Carolina
Allegiance:United States
Branch:North Carolina militia
Serviceyears:1776-1787
Rank:Brigadier General
Commands:Northampton County Regiment, Halifax District Brigade

Allen Jones (December 24, 1739 – November 10, 1798) was an American planter, American Revolution brigadier general of the Halifax District Brigade, and statesman from Edgecombe County, North Carolina.[1]

Early life

Allen Jones was born in Edgecombe County, North Carolina (later Halifax County), in the Province of North Carolina. He attended Eton College in England.

Profession

After returning to the colony, he was a member of the Province of North Carolina House of Burgesses between 1773 and 1775 and delegate to the five North Carolina Provincial Congresses (1774–1776), serving as vice-president in the Fourth Provincial Congress.[2]

Jones served in the military throughout the American Revolutionary War (1775–83).[3]

He also served in the State senate 1777 to 1779, 1783, 1784, and 1787; and as a Member of the Continental Congress in 1779 and 1780. Jones was a delegate at the state convention that rejected the proposed Constitution of the United States at Halifax, in 1788.

He was the older brother of Congressman Willie (pronounced Wylie) Jones, a leader in neighboring Halifax County. Together they were the source of the Jones surname adopted by the Scottish American naval hero during the Revolutionary War, John Paul Jones - whose birth-surname was Paul. Allen Jones was also the father-in-law of North Carolina Governor and Constitutional Convention delegate William Richardson Davie.

Death

Allen Jones died on his plantation, Mount Gallant, near Roanoke Rapids, Northampton County, North Carolina, on November 10, 1798. Interment was in the private burial ground on his estate.[4]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Biographical History of North Carolina from Colonial Times to the ..., Volume 4. Ashe, Samuel A'Court. 1906. 252–255.
  2. Web site: Royal Colony of North Carolina, 27th House of Burgesses. Lewis, J.D.. Carolana.com. October 24, 2019.
  3. Web site: The American Revolution in North Carolina, Allen Jones. Lewis, J.D.. March 9, 2019.
  4. Web site: Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress, JONES, Allen, (1739 - 1798). March 10, 2019.