Thomas ap Catesby Jones
| Thomas ap Catesby Jones | |
|---|---|
A young Jones
|
|
| Born |
April 24, 1790 Westmoreland County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | May 30, 1858 (aged 68) Sharon, Virginia, U.S. |
| Buried at | Fairfax, Virginia, U.S. |
| Allegiance |
 United States |
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1805–1858 |
| Rank |
 Commodore
|
| Commands held |
USS Peacock Pacific Squadron |
| Battles/wars |
Capture of Monterey Mexican-American War |
Thomas ap Catesby Jones (24 April 1790 – 30 May 1858) was a United States Navy officer during the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War.
Thomas ap Catesby Jones was born on 24 April 1790 in Westmoreland County, Virginia to Catesby and Lettice Turberville Jones. The Jones family had originated in Wales and the middle name "ap Catesby" was a gesture to the patronymic surnames traditionally used in Wales; Thomas ap Catesby in Welsh means "Thomas, son of Catesby".
Jones' father died on 23 September 1801 leaving the family destitute. Jones and his older brother, Roger were taken in by an uncle, Meriwether Jones of Richmond, Virginia. His mother died in December 1804 after a long illness leaving Jones an orphan at age 14. His uncle provided for his and his brother's education at Richmond Academy until the expense of private school became a burden. They studied with a private tutor after leaving the school. Roger Jones would later become Adjutant General of the U.S. Army.
Jones was appointed a midshipman in the U.S. Navy on 22 November 1805 at the age of fifteen but owing to a lack of vacancies for midshipmen, he was not ordered to active duty. He was furloughed home and advised to study geography, navigation, and surveying so that his chances of getting an active assignment would improve. After the Chesapeake–Leopard Affair, the Navy mobilized its gunboats and Jones was ordered to report to Norfork, Virginia where he was assigned to gunboat No. 10, reporting the first week of August 1807. He receiving honors for bravery at the Battle of Lake Borgne, Louisiana, delaying the British before the Battle of New Orleans.
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