Barnes, John S. (John Sanford), 1836-1911

John Paul Jones is among the most romantic and written-about figures in Revolutionary history. His raising of the first American flag aboard a naval vessel in 1776, his response to the British call to surrender Bon Homme Richard of "I have not yet begun to fight," and his victory aboard that vessel over Serapis in 1779 are elements of American nation-building with almost mythic significance. John Sanford Barnes's Jones collection was a product of his general interest in naval history (with a focus on heroic exploits) magnified by an often-mentioned family connection with Jones's contemporaries Admiral Barry (q.v.) and Commodore Bainbridge (q.v.): John Sanford Barnes's wife's grandfather James Hayes was a nephew of and adopted by John Barry; his wife's mother was Bainbridge's daughter, Sarah Bainbridge Hayes.

From the description of John Paul Jones Collection, 1776-1976 (bulk 1907-1930). (New-York Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 479935957

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