Jacob Jones
Commodore, U.S. Navy

Jacob Jones was born in March 1768 in Smyrna, DE.

Trained as a physician, Jones practiced medicine in Kent County, DE, before entering the U.S. Navy as a midshipman in 1799. During the Barbary Wars, he served as a Lieutenant aboard the USS Philadelphia when she grounded in Tripoli harbor in 1803, and spent twenty months in prison in Tripoli.

Promoted to Commander in 1810 and to Captain in 1813, he commanded the USS Mohawk on Lake Ontario in the War of 1812, and the USS Macedonian in the Algerine War. He commanded the Mediterranean Squadron from 1821-23, the Pacific Squadron from 1826-29, and the Baltimore Naval Station from 1829-39. He served as Port Captain of New York Harbor from 1842-45, and as Governor of the Philadelphia Naval Asylum from 1845-50.

Death and Burial

Commodore Jacob Jones died on 3 August 1850 in Philadelphia, PA. He is buried at the Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery in Wilmington, DE.