Although the John Paul Jones House wasn?t exactly owned by the American naval hero per se, it was still named after him due to the fact that it is the only surviving structure that is known to have some connection with him. It was actually owned by Captain Gregory Purcell and his wife, built in 1758. It was his home until his death in 1776.

John Paul Jones only lived in the property while supervising the building of the ?America? ship, around 1781 to 1782. He lived as a tenant in the three story house when Purcell?s widow started taking in boarders.

Today, the John Paul Jones House is operated by the Portsmouth Historical Society as a historic house museum.