DOB/DOD: August 25, 1841 (Bridgeport, CT) – August 14, 1907 (Portsmouth, NH); 65 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married Catherine Power (1842-1904).
CHILDREN: Four sons, William H. (1873-1941), Edward (1877-1889), Thomas (1879-1898), and James (1880-1899). Four daughters, Mary (1872-1884), Elizabeth (1876-?), Teresa G. (1883-1955), and Margaret B. (1891-1952).
ENLISTMENT: May 13, 1861, in Acton, Massachusetts.
FAMILY: Born to James (1805-?) and Abigail “Abba” Granville Jones (1815-?). Two sisters, Abigail (1842-?) and Mary (1846-1918). One brother, Michael (1844-?).
MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING: Civil War
BRANCH OF SERVICE: Navy
ASSIGNED TO: U.S.S. Rhode Island
GENERAL ORDERS: War Department, General Orders No. 59 (June 22, 1865)
AGE ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT: 21
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Landsman John Jones, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving on board the U.S.S. Rhode Island, which was engaged in saving the lives of the officers and crew of the U.S.S. Monitor near Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, 30 December 1862. Participating in the hazardous rescue of the officers and crew of the sinking Monitor, Landsman Jones, after rescuing several of the men, became separated in a heavy gale with other members of the cutter that had set out from the Rhode Island and spent many hours in the small boat at the mercy of the weather and high seas until finally picked up by a schooner 50 miles east of Cape Hatteras.
From the Portsmouth Herald August 14, 1907. Contributed by Katie Czajkowski, Special Collections, Portsmouth Public Library. Used with permission.
MEDAL OF HONOR MAN
Death of John Jones, Soldier of the Republic
John Jones, one of the best-known and most respected citizens of this city, passed away early this morning at his home on Stark Street, aged sixty-five years, four months, and nine days.
Mr. Jones was a native of Bridgeport, Connecticut, but had resided in this city nearly all his life. As a veteran of the Civil War, he was known as a Medal of Honor man, and his bravery during the dark days from ’61 to ’65 has often been related by shipmates and officials.
He enlisted on December 24, 1861, at Portsmouth as a landsman and served on the U.S.S. Tioga, the South Carolina, the Niagara, and the Rhode Island. He was one of the first volunteers of the crew of the Rhode Island, which, on the night of December 30, 1862, saved the lives of the officers and crew of the old Monitor.
His gallantry and zealous desire to save lives on that night, stand without question, and this act of John Jones and his comrades is recorded in the annals of the Navy as one of the bravest deeds of the Civil War. He was promoted for his work by the Navy Department.
When he finished his term of enlistment in 1864, he came back to Portsmouth and, for twenty-five years or more, had charge of a department at the Eldredge Brewing Company’s plant. The firm and his fellow workmen highly respected him. No man was more honest, no man was more generous, and no man was more loyal to his friends than John Jones. His word was as good as gold, and an enemy was a stranger to him.
He is survived by one son, William, and three daughters, Elizabeth, Margaret, and Theresa. His funeral will be held from the Church of the Immaculate Conception on Saturday morning.
From the Portsmouth Herald, October 16, 1907. Also contributed by Katie Czajkowski, Special Collections, Portsmouth Public Library
The funeral for John Jones was held from the Church of the Immaculate Conception this morning at nine o’clock and was attended by a large number of lifelong friends and acquaintances, who came to pay the last tribute of respect to a man universally admired during life.
Reverend Father Edward J. Walsh offered requiem mass in memory of the soul of Mr. Jones, and the music was tendered by the children’s choir.
The floral tokens were numerous and beautiful, attesting to the keen sorrow of many friends and relatives.
The pallbearers were from the Kearsarge Naval Veterans, Storer Post, Grand Army, and the Eldredge Brewing Company. Interment was in St. Mary’s Cemetery under the direction of undertaker W.P. Miskell.
Buried in an unmarked grave in St. Mary’s Cemetery, 31 Greenland Road, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Photo from FindAGrave.com.
The inscription reads:
This memorial was erected during the 150th anniversary year of the Immaculate Conception Parish in memory of Civil War Veterans known to be buried in unmarked graves in this cemetery.
Patrick Adams 6th NH Inf
William Danielson 2nd MA HA & 17th MA Inf
James Hahr 2nd NH Inf & 10th NH Inf
Patrick Quinn 10th NH Inf & 2nd US Cav
John Harris USMC
James Mates USN
William Barnes USN
Patrick O’Connor USN
Martin Garrity USN
John O’Donnell USN
Michael Jones USN
Michael Stack USN
AND
John Jones USN – Congressional Medal of Honor Holder
END