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John Paul Jones was born 'John Paul' in 1747, on the estate of Arbigland near Kirkbean in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright on the southern coast of Scotland. John Paul's father was a gardener at Arbigland, and his mother was a member of Clan MacDuff. John Paul started his maritime career at the age of 13, sailing out of Whitehaven in the northern English county of Cumberland, as apprentice aboard the Friendship. During his numerous journeys to Fredericksburg, Virginia aboard this ship, Jones was likely able to visit his brother who had settled in the area. For the next several years he sailed aboard a number of different British merchant and slaver ships, including the King George in 1764 as third mate, and the Two Friends as first mate in 1766.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Paul_JonesReferences
^ a b SeacoastNH.com - John Paul Jones Timeline
^
http://www.history.navy.mil/bios/jones_jp_conrad.htm/ ^ a b c d Jones, John Paul (1785), Extracts from the Journals of my Campaigns, <http>. Retrieved on 27 October 2007
^ a b c Jones, John Paul (May 27 1778), Report to the American Plenipotentiaries at the Court of Versailles, <http>. Retrieved on 27 October 2007
^ Green, Ezra (1875), Diary of Ezra Green M.D., <http>. Retrieved on 27 October 2007
^ “news report from Whitehavenâ€, Cumberland Chronicle, April 25 1778, <http>
^ Adams, John (1778), autobiography part 2, 'Travels, and Negotiations', Massachusetts Historical Society, <http>. Retrieved on 27 October 2007
^ Log of the 'Bon Homme Richard', 1779, John Paul Jones Cottage Museum, <http>. Retrieved on 27 October 2007
^ Officers of the American Squadron: Affidavit, Oct 30 1779, yorkshirehistory.com, <http>. Retrieved on 27 October 2007
^ a b Jones, John Paul (October 3 1779), Letter to Benjamin Franklin, yorkshirehistory.com, <http>. Retrieved on 27 October 2007
^ “news report from Yorkshireâ€, York Courant (yorkshirehistory.com), October 12 1779, <http>
^ Pearson, Capt. Richard (October 6 1779), Report on the capture of his ship Serapis, yorkshirehistory.com, <http>. Retrieved on 27 October 2007
^ Roosevelt, Theodore Dedication speech, Annapolis (24 Apr 1906)- via theodore-roosevelt.com
^ USNA Traditions US Naval Academy Alumni Association