David Jones was, it is said, the first Baptist to become a chaplain to the American military. In 1776 he was appointed to serve Colonel St. Clair’s regiment and later was chaplain under Horatio Gates and Anthony Wayne; he also ministered to the troops at Valley Forge.
As his name suggests, David Jones was raised in a Welsh Baptist home. He was saved early in life and went to school at the Hopewell Academy at about the same time as fellow Chaplain, John Gano. Prior to the war he preached in Ohio and pastored in Monmouth, N.J., before becoming pastor in Chester County Pennsylvania. When the Continental Congress called for a day of fasting and prayer, Jones preached a message to a regiment of troops near-by, entitled “Defensive War in a Just Cause Sinless.” Shortly thereafter he resigned his pastorate to give himself to the war effort. Unlike Gano, Chaplain Jones chose to carry a weapon. He was at Ticonderoga, Brandywine, Morristown and several other battles. He was also present at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown.
After the war Jones returned to the pastorate, but General Wayne requested that he serve with him during the Indian War in the Northwest Territory, north of the Ohio River and west of Pennsylvania. Unbelievably, at the age of 76, again served as chaplain during the War of 1812.
After a life of service, and risking his life many times, nearly dying during the Paoli Massacre in 1777, he passed away peaceably on this day in 1820 at the age of 84.