Robert P. Jones

Robert P. “Bob” Jones is a writer and researcher whose lifelong connection to St. Augustine, Florida, has inspired his study of the Minorcan people and the remarkable history of the families from Menorca, Greece, Italy, and Corsica who came to St. Augustine after surviving the New Smyrna colony.

A native of St. Augustine, Jones has spent years researching the story of the Mediterranean colonists who came to Florida in 1768 as part of Dr. Andrew Turnbull’s New Smyrna colony. His particular interest is in preserving the memory of the hundreds of colonists who died during the difficult nine-year existence of the colony and in telling the stories of the survivors who found freedom in St. Augustine.

Although not Minorcan by birth, Jones became part of a Minorcan family through his 67-year marriage to Malinda “Mindy” Usina, whose ancestors were among the New Smyrna colonists. Their marriage gave him a deeply personal connection to this history. Since her death in 2022, he has devoted much of his writing to preserving and sharing this nearly forgotten chapter of Florida history.

Jones also spent fifty-five years representing the seafood industry as Executive Director of the Southeastern Fisheries Association. His career included service on federal fishery management councils, participation in fishing-vessel safety projects, teaching seafood safety programs, and leading international trade missions.