Jones, Allen

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Jones, Allen

JONES, ALLEN. (1739–1807). Militia general and politician. North Carolina. Allen Jones was born in Surry County, Virginia, on 24 December 1739. He was the elder brother of the more famous Willie Jones. He went to study at Eton, in England, and on his return to North Carolina he became prominent in politics. In 1771 he assisted Governor William Tryon in operations against the Regulators. In 1776 he was appointed brigadier general for the militia of the Halifax district, and in 1778 he protested on legal grounds the sending of North Carolina militia to South Carolina. A state senator from 1777 to 1779, he was a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1779 and 1780. Unlike his brother, he favored ratification of the federal Constitution.

A large property holder, owning 177 slaves in 1790, he was politically conservative and opposed the confiscation of Loyalists' property after the war. On 14 November 1807 he died at his home, "Mount Gallant," which was across the Roanoke River from "The Grove" owned by his brother.

SEE ALSO Jones, Willie.

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