Colonel George Jackson (1757-1831) Indian Fighter, Congressman and Land Owner

1. Colonel George Jackson (1757-1831) Indian Fighter, Congressman and Land Owner

2. By Dr. Daniel C. Hyde • Teach computer science at Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA • George Jackson - my gggg-grandfather • Interest in genealogy and family history • Officer of Jackson Brigade, Inc. • Handout Timeline • I would be happy to accomplish 1/10th of what George Jackson did!

3. George’s Early Years George b. 1757 Cecil Co., MD Migration route of George’s parents John and Elizabeth Cummins Jackson (From John George Jackson by Dorothy Davis, pages 30-31) 13 Nov 1776 George married Elizabeth Brake, his childhood sweetheart when he lived on South Fork. 22 Sep 1777 George and Elizabeth’s first child John George born. 1758 Goose Creek 1784 Clarksburg From England 1748 1782 Nutter’s Fort 1768 Jackson Fort (Buckhannon) 1759 on South Fork below Moorefield

4. George as Indian Fighter • At age 15, joined VA Militia as an Indian Scout • Natural leader - At age of 21 (1779) he was asked to form and lead Indian Scouts. Selected as their captain. First military group in Buckhannon. • Raised a Company of Volunteers for expedition to Detroit (1781) • Commissioned Colonel in VA Militia (1782) • Stories • Memorable run from Buckhannon to Clarksburg • While pursued by Indians, falls off his horse • Quote from Obituary • Famous hunter as well - Skin Creek Hunt

5. George as Public Servant • 1778 At age 20, a Constable • 1784 Justice of Peace, Clarksburg • 1785-1791 Member of VA House of Delegates • 1788 Member of VA State Convention that ratified U. S. Constitution • 1794 Member of VA State House of Delegates • 1795-97 U. S. Representative from VA • 1799-1803 U. S. Representative from VA • 1809-1812 Member of Ohio State House of Representatives • 1817-1819 Member of Ohio State Senate

6. George as Businessman • Lawyer (Admitted to Bar 1784) - legal practice; attorney for Land Company • Ran Ordinary (Inn) in Clarksburg, VA • Built or bought grist, saw and oil mills in Clarksburg and Zanesville • Operated Ferry across Elk Creek, Clarksburg • Built bridge to replace ferry in Clarksburg • Ran blacksmith shop • Land Speculator - purchased thousands of acres in • U. S. Military District near Zanesville

7. George as Businessman (Cont’) • Built houses • Built first distillery in Muskingum County (1818) • Developed salt works both in Clarksburg and Zanesville • Commissioner of new Muskingum Bank in Zanesville • Commissioner of new jail in Clarksburg

8. However! • These lists of his accomplishments are impressive but don’t tell the whole story. • We want to try to understand the man, George Jackson. What made him tick?

9. What do writers have to say about George Jackson’s Character?

10. George Jackson’s Character Lucullus McWhorter “Border Settlers of Northwestern Virginia 1768 to 1785” (1915), p 180 “George Jackson is mentioned by Withers in his Border Warfare on several occasions, and his memorable night run from Buckhannon to Clarksburg [more that twenty miles one way!] for assistance when some of the settlers were besieged in an out-building in 1782, was characteristic of the energy and daring courage that made him a leader among men.”

11. George Jackson’s Character Hugh Blair Grigsby, “The History of the Virginia Federal Convention of 1788,” pages 66-70 (1891) “Among those adventurous and fearless men to whom Virginia is indebted for the settlement of her northwestern territory, and whose names deserve to be held in lasting remembrance, was George Jackson, …”

12. George Jackson’s Character Henry Haymond “History of Harrison Co., WV” (1910), page 378 “George Jackson inherited from his mother both bodily and mental strength, was a courageous determined man, of strong character, and very much disposed to have his own way in anything he was connected with, and was prominent in public affairs. “He bore his full share in defending the settlements from savage raiders and could always be depended on in any emergency.”

13. George Jackson’s Character Son John George Jackson in private letter to his wife Mary (June 22, 1810) “Mary, this Father of mine is provoking beyond conception. He has asked me ten times, ‘Are you almost done?’ Indeed he has been continually with me and asks and asks again. Why, sweet love, he will never tire unless he tires his son. …. Father calls again and I go.”

14. George Jackson’s Education • Dorothy Davis claims that “George Jackson’s only education had been instruction given him by the first sergeant of his militia company, schooling soon ended when the sergeant was killed by Indians.” • Realizing the advantage of knowing a little law on a frontier where lawyers are rare, he read several books on law. • Amazing that a person did so well on so little education. • When fellow Congressmen laughed at him at his rustic expressions used during a speech, it so provoked him that he said, “ When I send my son John to Congress, they won’t laugh at him.”

15. How did George Build his Economic and Power Base? • Acquire land. Southern ideal of land is wealth. • Always support your family in political and business decisions - “The Jackson Clan” • Make many political and business friends who will later support you. • Look for opportunities to improve people’s harsh life on the frontier. In return, you gain political and economic power. E.g., build mills, roads, ferries. • Seek avenues to obtain insider information and manipulate the rules for your and your friends’ benefit, e.g., be a lawyer, a member of Congress. • Have lots of children to support you. He had 14.

16. George as Opportunist • Searched for opportunities • He had contract for delivering military supplies to 4 counties. In good position to build political influence • Lawyer, many cases on land disputes • VA and US Statesman - inside info on developments, especially land bills • Owned an Ordinary (Inn) in Clarksburg, WV - talked politics with travelers, learned latest developments • Created opportunities for himself and relatives • Encouraged his son John George to be a surveyor. Later his son surveyed U. S. Military District passing on notes of best land, salt wells, falls for mills • Manipulated the rules/situation for his benefit. e.g., His influence in forming Harrison Co., WV • How they voted in 1798.

17. George as Opportunist • Use insider information and move quickly • When Land Bill of 1800 was passed in Congress, both George and son purchased immediately 4000 acres of land they had picked out in the U. S. Military District. • Be connected • Helped his friend Rufus Putnam be chosen U. S. Surveyor General (1797). In return, Putnam offered major surveying contract of U. S. Military Lands around Zanesville to George’s son John George. • Sue your enemies • Apple Brandy Trial (1791) - George sued two men for slander • Work hard • While campaigning hard in 1799, George only spent 5 nights at home in a two-month period.

18. The Zanesville Connection Way before 1807, George knew of the Zanesville area • He traveled up Muskingum River as Indian Scout. He visited Marietta for info on latest Indian movements. • In 1791, George was awarded contract for supplying military station in four western VA counties. • In 1795 Indian Treaty of Greenville opened up Zanesville area for surveying then settlers. • In 1797, at the age of 20, son John George was one of 4 men awarded contract to survey U. S. Military District - he did South Middle District in 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12th Ranges (includes Zanesville area). John George compiled notes on the lands around Zanesville noting falls for mills, salt wells To protect his son, George arranged Elias Hughes and John Ratliff to be hunters for the surveying party. Elias and Hughes decided to stay in Westbourne (name for Zanesville until late in 1797). Elias built the first cabin in West Zanesville.

19. Moving to Zanesville, Ohio • In 1803,George and son John George agreed that John George would run for his father’s seat in U. S. Congress and George would move to Zanesville to manage their lands there. • George’s obituary says he moved his family to Zanesville in 1807. But clearly, he visited the area many times before 1807.

20. Living in Zanesville • Though George Jackson moved to Zanesville in 1807 at the age of 50, he did not relax. He continued his strategies of building a position of economic and political power. • 1809-1812 Member of Ohio State House of Representatives • 1817-1819 Member of Ohio State Senate • Built or bought grist, saw and oil mills. • Built distillery and salt works. • Continued his law practice • Land speculator • Worked his farm • Commissioner of new Muskingum Bank

21. Why hasn’t His Legacy Lasted in Zanesville? Only one of his 14 children remained to pass on the legacy. Children withElizabeth Brake: • John George lived in Clarksburg, WV. Congressman and Judge • Elizabeth married (1) Jacob Means, (2) Chauncey B. Stephens. Lived in Zanesville. • Catherine married Dr. William Williams. Lived in Clarksburg, WV. • Jacob never married. Second lieutenant in Army. Died at age of 27. • Prudence married Elijah Arnold. Lived in Lewis Co., WV. • George Washington married Hester Taylor. Lawyer moved to McConnelsville, OH • Sarah “Sally” married Daniel Kincheloe. Lived in Harrison Co., WV. • Edward Brake married (1) Anna Todd, (2) Elizabeth Gibson. Practiced medicine in Clarksburg, congressman and Judge. • Mary Webster “Polly” married Dr. Sylvanus Seely. Sylvanus practiced medicine in Warren, OH. • William Lowther married Harriett Blackburn Wilson. Lived in Clarksburg. • Thomas Jefferson died at age of 8 months. Children withNancy Richardson Adams: • Andrew Richardson married Margaret Clark Mitchell. School teacher in CA. • Lucy Ann never married. Moved to CA with her brother. • Sophia married (1) Charles Cargille, (2) James Boyle. James was lawyer in TX.

22. Colonel George Jackson’s Gravestone At the end of Colonel Jackson Drive off Newark Road (Route 146), a few miles northwest of Zanesville

23. Backyard of Wayne Clark’s home

24. Gravestone on top of knoll