George rogers clark/ john paul jones/ Burgoyne, John

Essay by srfhrdJunior High, 8th grade December 2004

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Clark, George Rogers (1752-1818), American soldier and frontiersman, who commanded important victories over British troops in the Northwest Territory during the American Revolution (1775-1783). The brother of famed explorer William Clark, he was born near Charlottesville, Virginia. With little education, he became a surveyor while still a young man. Clark was living in Kentucky, then part of the Virginia Colony, when the American Revolution began. He convinced the colonial government of Virginia to send aid to Kentucky settlers who were under attack from Native Americans.

Jones, John Paul (naval officer), original name John Paul (1747-1792), American naval officer, born on July 6, 1747, in Kirkcudbright, Scotland. At the age of 12 he went to sea for the first time, as a cabin boy, sailing to Fredericksburg, Virginia. By 1766 he was first mate of a slaver brigantine. While sailing (1769-1770) in the West Indies, he flogged a crewman who later died.

John Paul was arrested but proved his innocence. In 1773, as commander of a merchant vessel in Tobago in the West Indies, he killed the leader of a mutinous crew. Rather than wait in prison for trial, he escaped from the island and later returned to Fredericksburg. The British thereafter considered him a pirate and a fugitive from justice. To hide his identity he added the surname Jones.

Burgoyne, John (1722-1792), British general, best known for his role in the American Revolution.

Burgoyne was born in Sutton, England, and was educated at Westminster School. He first entered the army in 1740 but sold his commission in 1746. He rejoined at the outbreak of the Seven Years' War in 1756 and saw his first action in France. In 1761, while the war was still going on, he was elected to Parliament. The following year he served with distinction in the...