George Jackson was a Captain in the American Revolution and active in the politics of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
"George Jackson served with George Rogers Clark; was a prominent member of the Virginia Assembly, 1786-1790; was a member of the Virginia Constitutional Convention in 1788; and was a member of the Ohio legislature after his move westward to Zanesville, Ohio. He was influential enough to have the state capital moved from Chillicothe to Zanesville."[N1]
George Jackson "was commissioned captain in 1781 and joined General Clark's expedition against the British and Indians."[N2]
Depositions describing George Jackson's Participation in George Rogers Clark Expedition.
"JACKSON, George (father of John George Jackson and Edward Brake Jackson), a Representative from Virginia; born in Cecil County, Md., January 9, 1757; moved with his parents to Moorefield, Va. (now West Virginia), and in 1769 to Jacksons Fort, Va. (now Buckhannon, W. Va.); served in the Revolution, attaining the rank of colonel; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1784 and commenced practice in Clarksburg, Va. (now West Virginia); justice of the peace in 1784; member of the State house of delegates 1785-1791 and again in 1794; member of the State convention which ratified the United States Constitution in 1788; elected to the Fourth Congress (March 4, 1795-March 3, 1797); elected to the Sixth and Seventh Congresses (March 4, 1799-March 3, 1803); was not a candidate for reelection; moved to Zanesville, Ohio, about 1806 and engaged in agricultural pursuits; member of the State house of representatives 1809-1812; member of the State senate 1817-1819; died in Zanesville, Ohio, May 17, 1831; interment on an estate once owned by him in Fails Township, near Zanesville." Biographical Directory of the American Congress, 1774-1949 Biographies J page 1362 (http://politicalgraveyard.com).
GEORGE JACKSON b. 9 Jan. 1757 Cecil Co., MD; d. 17 May 1831 Falls Twp., Zanesville, Muskingum Co., OH; m. 1) 13 Nov. 1776 Elizabeth Brake nr. Moorefield, Hardy Co., (W)V; (Bible) d/o Jacob and Elizabeth Cooper Brake; b. 22 Feb. 1757 pr. Frederick Co., VA; d. 22 Mar. 1812 Muskingum Co., OH; m. 2) 6 Nov. 1814 Mrs. Nancy (Richardson) Adams, Muskingum Co., OH; b. 18 Apr. 1780; d. 11 Oct 1841.
Image and text of George Jackson's gravestone.
Quote from typed copy of Bible record found at DAR library: "George Jackson married 13 Nov. 1776 to Elizabeth Brake, in the 20th year of their age, and had 11 children together, to wit: six sons and five daughters"
Pioneer Ohio Newspapers, 1793-1810 ; by Karen Mauer Green, p. 291 - Vol. II, Saturday, 2 May 1812 "Mrs. Elizabeth Jackson, age 56, wife of Col. George Jackson of Zanesville, died on Sunday morning 22 Mar. 1812, leaves 9 children, 4 sons and 5 daughters."
George and Elizabeth (Brake) Jackson's children are the following:[N3]
Read article about Stonewall's cousin, William Lowther "Mudwall" Jackson
After Elizabeth's death in 1812, George married 6 Nov 1814 in Muskingum Co., OH, NANCY RICHARDSON ADAMS, widow of Armisted Adams, b. 18 Apr. 1780; d. 11 Oct. 1841 Zanesville, OH.
Note: There is a legal record on file where he provided for a financial settlement on his proposed wife prior to her acceptance of the marriage. George speculated in land, owning an extensive farm as well as property in Zanesville, where he lived his final years. His church affiliation was Episcopal; his wife, Nancy, was Methodist.
The information for this family was taken primarily from " Family and Church Records of Muskingum County, Ohio", compiled by Mrs. R. R. McCutcheon, Chairman- Genealogical Records Committee, Muskingum Chapter, Ohio Society DAR, Zanesville, OH, 1974. Found in the DAR Library, Washington , DC. This history was written on October 7, 1958.
Children of George and Nancy:
The `kicker' comes in a photostatic copy of an entry in a Jackson Family Bible - the whereabouts of this Bible is now unknown (1974). It shows Susan Ann as being married to an unnamed Boyle; at a place and date not at all specified. It shows as Susan Ann's children; Mary Louise, born March 20, 1837; Annie J., born Feb. 10, 18__; George B. J., born July __ 184__; and Lucy G., born August 1, 1848. This same page for SOPHIA Jackson only shows her marriage to James Boyle (1840) and makes no mention of Sophia's first marriage to Charles C. Cargille in 1834. This first marriage is a matter of public record in Zanesville. It's omission is significant to the writer. Furthermore; the "Genealogy Boyd-Searl Family" states `James married Sophia, who had a daughter, Louise, who later married a Mr. Degolya'...(euphonious for De Goyler)... and this history goes on to state Louise was adopted by James. And still further; the writer doubts that two families by the name of Boyle (James & Sophia; and Susan Ann & her husband whose first name is not given) would name the eldest son in each case George J., both being born in the month of July and in the same decade - that for Sophia's being stated as July 12, 1842; and Susan Ann;s July __, 184_. Because there is no reason to suspect this photostatic copy the good people who later compiled data on the George Jackson descendants have incorporated that into their records. The writer has engaged in the most diligent research to establish this factor, as applied to Lucy Georgetta. Birth records were not kept in Muskingum County until 1867. Therefore, because of the discrepancies noted he accepts the data given by Lucy Georgetta as being the daughter of Sophia and James Boyle, born on a farm near Zanesville (which could well have been that of John Boyle at Mt. Sterling) on August 1, 1849. (McCutcheon)
`Lucy Ann' was unmarried at the death of her father, George Jackson. He willed her part of the homeplace in Zanesville.
a. GEORGE JACKSON BOYLE b. 26 July 1842 Zanesville, OH; d. 9 Sept. 1846 Zanesville, OH
" He died at the age of three or four, depending upon the correct date of his birth, obscured by an ink blot in the entry. He was the eldest son and given the name of the mother's father.
b. JOHN G. BOYLE b. 8 Feb. 1845 Zanesville, OH; d. 7 Oct. 1907 Yakima, WA; age 62 ½.
"John enlisted in the 6th Regiment of Ohio Volunteers during the Civil War, and rose to the rank of colonel. He did not resign at the war's conclusion, but remained to participate in the Indian Uprisings in the West for a while. Our next knowledge of him is his marriage to MARGARET B. MITCHELL at Galveston, Texas, in 1875. To them were born at least 7 children: John Edmund, 1893; Bryan, 1895; Douglas, 1897; Bernard 1899; and Elizabeth, Susan, Margaret dates unknown. John G. Boyle made his living as a newspaper writer, and seemed to have been liberal in his bent. He worked for a while in St. Louis, Missouri, and then moved to Yakima, Washington. He also participated in politics on the Democratic Party side (not his second son's name - Bryan), and spoke throughout the area on that party's behalf. After his death, the family continued to reside in Yakima, but eventually moved to Seattle, Washington." (McCutcheon)
c. ANNIE JACKSON BOYLE b. 10 Feb. 18__; d.
"Nothing further is known except the uncompleted date of her birth in the Jackson Family Bible. There is the recollection of one of Lucy's granddaughters, with whom Lucy lived in Yakima, Washington, that a sister would come from out-of-state to visit `Grandma' for a lengthy spell, and they resided in a little cottage until they would have an awe-inspiring quarrel' the sister would go down to a hotel for several days; there would be a reconciliation and things would flow along normally, until the next blow-up." (McCutcheon)
d. LUCY GEORGETTA BOYLE b. 1 Aug. 1849; d. 30 Sept. 1924, Seattle, WA; m. 11 Oct. 1867 Chicago, IL, E. C. COOK II.
" With her father, James', leaving Zanesville in the mid-1840's, the exact location for her birth cannot be pin-pointed. However, as James' father, John Boyle I, had a farm near Mt. Sterling (Muskingum Co.) Ohio, as the Jackson farm appears to have been sold shortly after Sophia's (Lucy's mother) father's death and the Jackson family lived in the town of Zanesville, it would appear Sophia went to her father-in-law's farm for her encroachment. Nothing further is known of Lucy's girlhood until her marriage to E. C. Cook II, in Chicago on October 11, 1867. Lucy must have been residing with her half-sister, Louise De Goyler, in that city. Her one personal characteristic that has been handed down as a reminiscent is her sweet singing voice that made her in demand at social gatherings."( McCutcheon)
e. MARY LOUISE (CARGILLE) BOYLE b. 20 Mar. 1837 was the child of Sophia's first marriage, adopted by James Boyle. She married WATTS DE GOYLER. They moved to Chicago, Illinois. It was in her home that LUCY GEORGETTA BOYLE and E. C. COOK II were married. The De Goylers moved to Riverside, IL shortly after its development as a suburban residential area, of better than normal means of livelihood for it's occupants, where Watts De Goyler took a prominent in the civic affairs. The two families, the Cooks and De Goylers maintained a close relationship down through their children.
The first data James Boyle, husband of Sophia Jackson, appears his admittance to the Zanesville Bar in 1836, at the age of 21. He was elected county surveyor from 1839-1845. In the summer of 1844 he took his three degrees in Masonic work at what by 1958 standards appears to be a rather rapid rate (3 months), add one month after receiving the 3rd degree he gets a dimit (sic) -i.e. an honorable discharge, usually when moving outside the lodge's jurisdiction. This speed would presuppose to this writer a permanent move was contemplated. There is no further record of his Masonic activities. His name does not appear in the 1848, nor 1852 Zanesville directories, as it has previously; nor in the 1850 census. The Boyd-Searl Genealogy states he moved to Cincinnati to continue his law practice.
A granddaughter-in-law??, Bena Cook, recalls James' wife, Sophia visiting her when Sophia was a widow, and remarking that James was a prominent attorney in Houston, TX where he was renowned for his display of temper. At one time during court he became so provoked he hurled an ink pot at an opposing attorney, and was severely reprimanded by the judge; but such was his reputation as a barrister his practice was allowed to continue and flourish.
As of this writing, October 7, 1958, correspondence is being held with person in Houston to further establish the facts in James' life. (McCutcheon)
George Jackson was active in the fighting of the Indians on the western Virginia frontier. McWhorter's book on Border Settlers of Western Virginia contains many thrilling episodes surrounding George Jackson and his relatives.
"The first military company at Buckhannon [now Upshur County, West Virginia] was a band of Indian spies [scouts], organized in 1779. George Jackson was Captain of this body." [N4]
"While John Jackson and his son, George were returning to the Buckhannon Fort, within one half mile of the town, the Indians fired on them, but fortunately missing both. George discovered the smoke from the Indian's gun rising from behind a forked tree, prepared himself and as the Indian peeked through the crotch of the tree, Jackson fired at him. The ball struck too low in the crotch and thus glancing perhaps over the savage's head. The Jacksons then made their way with all speed to the fort, not knowing but what there were more Indians near. The horse on which George Jackson was riding took fright and ran to the fort. The horse passed out of his girth [strap around horse's body holding saddle broke] and left Jackson and his saddle lying on the ground. Fortunately, he landed safely at the fort's gate." [N5]
On the 8th of March, 1782, William White in sight of Fort Buckhannon, was shot from his horse, tomahawked, scalped and lacerated in the most frightful manner by the Indians. White's companions Timothy Dorman and his wife were captured. After the killing of White and capture of the Dormans, it was resolved to abandon Fort Buckhannon. A few days after the evacuation of the fort, some of its former inmates went from Clarksburg to Buckhannon for grain which had been left there. When they came in sight, they beheld a heap of ashes where the fort had been. When attacked by Indians, the group barricaded themselves in an outhouse, near where the fort had stood. "At night, Captain George Jackson went privately forth from the house, and at great hazard of being discovered by the waylaying savages, proceeded to Clarksburg, where he obtained such a reinforcement as enabled him to return openly and escort his former companions in danger, from the places of its existence." [N6]
McWhorter has high praise for George Jackson.
"He [George Jackson] is mentioned by Withers [Withers' 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-house in 1782, was characteristic of the energy and daring courage that made him a leader among men." [N7]
It was not all Indian fighting for George. There was plenty of time for leisurely pursuits. Below is McWhorter's account of the famous Skin Creek hunt which named the creek and the village of that name -- both in Lewis County, West Virginia.
"While out, the scouts [Jesse Hughes and Alexander West] had noted that the beech mast in the bottoms and the low hills about the head of Fench Creek was heavy, and that the region was full of bear. A hunt was planned by the two scouts and the colonels [Colonel George Jackson and Colonel William Lowther]. .... The first night they stayed at an old Indian camp, known to Hughes only, who had been there on previous occasions. Here they saw an abundance of deer, which at that time held no attraction for them. The next morning they crossed the divide to French Creek, where they found all the bear sign reported by the scouts. The ground had been scratched over for miles, such as they had never seen before; but the sign was all old, and not a bear could be found. They had evidently gone to the rough mountainous regions of the Kanawha, the Holly, and the Buckhannon for winter quarters, as very few bear wintered in the more open hills of the West Fork.
"Hughes and West desired to follow the bear, but it was necessary for Colonel Jackson to return home, and reluctantly they decided to accompany him. They recrossed the mountain and spent the night at their former camp. The deer, so unattractive the evening before, now engaged their attention, and they determined to spend the day shooting. They divided their party: Hughes and West were pitted against the two colonels. They were to hunt for a wager, the prize being all the deer skins taken. No fawns were to be counted, and if a shot failed to bring down the game it was to deduct one from the party who fired it. All bullets in the shot-pouches were counted, and these the hunter must account at the close of day. It was agreed that the two officers were to hunt below, while the scouts were to hunt above the camp.
"Everything arranged, the hunt began, and in the evening when the game was tallied and the bullets all accounted for, the score stood nineteen for Hughes and West , and twenty-one for the colonels. The next morning the game was skinned, such venison selected as was desired, and the camp broken. It was then suggested that the stream, on a branch of which they were encamped, was yet unnamed, and it was unanimously agreed that it should be called "Skin Creek," in commemoration of their remarkable hunt. As Jesse Hughes had piloted them to the camp, and to him alone was known the sylvan retreat, they called this tributary "Hughes Fork." These names they still bear." [N7]
While in Buckhannon, Col. George Jackson built a mill on the river about two hundred and seventy-five paces from the fort. This mill was evidently destroyed at an early day, probably immediately after the fort was burned, or as soon as the whites completely abandoned the settlement, after Capt. White was killed in 1782. [N8]
Where George Jackson and his family moved after the Buckhannon Fort burned is unknown, probably Nutter's Fort near Clarksburg. After the Indian Treaty of Greenville in 1795 which restored peace with the Indians, Col. George Jackson was the first to settle in the upper part of the West Fork Valley. He secured a large boundary of land where Jacksonville (named for him) now stands in Lewis County, West Virginia. He also secured a smaller tract at the forks of the river. [N9]
Compiled by Dan Hyde with updates by Linda B. Meyers.
N1. The Genealogies of the Jackson, Junkin & Morrison Families complied by Michael I. Shoop, 1981, published by the Garland Gray Memorial Research Center, Stonewall Jackson House, Historic Lexington Foundation, Lexington, VA., page 155.
N2. Daughters of the American Revolution (D. A. R.) Lineage Book Vol. 67, 66501, page 187.
N3. Colonel Edward Jackson 1759-1828 Revolutionary Soldier, by Nancy Ann Jackson and Linda Brake Meyers, Genealogy Publishing Service, Franklin, NC, 1995, page 14.
N4. Border Settlers of Northwestern Virginia 1768 to 1785, by Lucullus Virgil McWhorter, 1915, reprinted by Jim Comstock, Richwood, West Virginia, 1974, as part of The West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia, page 177.
N5. This paragraph was cleaned up for punctuation and spelling and slightly altered for the modern reader. It is from a letter by Henry F. Westfall, dated February 24, 1849. In McWhorter, page 360.
N6. Chronicles of Border Warfare or a History of the Settlement by the Whites of North-Western Virginia: and of the Indian Wars and Massacres, Alexander Scott Withers, 1831, later edition 1895 by Steward and Kidd Publishers, Cincinnati, quoted in McWhorter, page 498.
N7. McWhorter, page 180.
N8. McWhorter, page 170.
N9. McWhorter, page 183.
