Mungo Maxwell of Orchardton

Mungo Maxwell and Captain John Paul [Jones]. www.jpj.demon.co.uk/jpjlife.htm

John Paul Jones had a violent temper which manifested itself throughout his career. It was while serving on the John that he was accused in Tobago by Mungo Maxwell, the ship's carpenter, of having flogged him excessively with the cat o nine tails. Maxwell, the son of a prominent Kirkudsbright worthy, was examined and his complaint dismissed as frivolous. Later he died whilst returning home on the Barsolona Packet and his father complained that his son "was most unmercifully, wounded on his back... and of which wounds he soon afterwards died."

Captain Paul was arrested when he returned to Kirkcudbright and charged with murder but evidence from Tobago and a declaration from the master of the Barsolona Packet that Maxwell was in perfect health when he came on board was sufficient to acquit him.