James Jackson (abt. 1778 - 1844)

Born about 1778 in North Carolina

Descendants

Died 1844 at about age 66 in Marengo County, Alabama

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Biography

James was born in 1778. He and his family was the first of our family to arrive in Alabama. Arriving there sometime between 1816 and 1818 before it became a state on December 14, 1819. They knew it would be open for homesteading once it became a state. This was the new frontier and it was good land and it was free if you could get there. I can understand families planning this long and hard journey and loading up all their possessions on wagons and starting off on horseback and in some cases afoot and heading for a new beginning where they and their children could own land and have an opportunity to build new homes and schools and churches and entire communities. They were not the first to arrive, after all this takes time to first make up your mind to attempt this and then more time spent talking to your friends and neighbors to find out how many would go, months of planning and gathering supplies and deciding what to take and what to leave behind. There were no roads as we know them only a few and streams to cross with no bridges and once you got there you had to locate land that someone else was not sitting on and then hold it until the land offices opened. Most folks were nice people and helped each other but there were times when you kept your shotgun handy.

James Jackson was a farmer born in North Carolina in 1778. He died in Marengo County Alabama at the age of 66. He was the patriarch of our family in Alabama. It is believed he and his wife Sarah are buried in the Friendship Baptist Cemetery in graves that are now unmarked. Probably had wooden markers which were common at that time and have deteriated over time.

James wrote his will on 27 April, 1840 and from that we know of eight surviving children and one predeceased daughter. The will was probated 10 October 1844 and final settlement was achieved in 1857.

See Also

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:Jackson_Family_Migration_Marion_County%2C_South_Carolina_to_Marengo_County_Alabama

Caution

This James Jackson is not to be confused with James Jackson who died in Lauderdale County, Alabama. I know both James died in the same year, both had a wife named Sarah, but a reading of the Wills of both men, clearly indicates that these men had different children. Many trees on ancestry.com have conflated the info bringing up the need for this caution.

Will

James Jackson         )  
Last Will & Testament)
In the name of God & men I James Jackson of Marengo and State of Alabama being weak in body but perfect in mind and memory do this day make this my Last Will and testament in manner following:
1 Item: I leave unto my beloved wife Sarah Jackson during her lifetime all my lands to wit: the South East Quarter of the South west Quarter also the South East Quarter of the North West Quarter, also the North west Quarter of the South East Quarter, also the North half of the North East Quarter all in Section No 34 thirty four in Township thirteen in range four East all continuing one hundred and forty acres more or less; also all of my plantation tools and household and kitchen furniture and all of my stock of horses, hogs & Cattle only which will be hereafter mentioned; also I leave unto my beloved wife Sarah Jackson during her lifetime one Negro Girl name Lizer with her increase and after the death of my beloved wife, Sarah Jackson, it is my wish for my son Andrew to have the said Negro girl Lizer and her increase also of all the lands that I leave unto my beloved wife with the Exception of forty acres which will be hereafter mentioned; also I give unto my son Andrew Jackson one horse and Saddle to be worth one hundred and ten doll and one chaise bed and furniture all the hogs and cattle marked with an under square and under __t in each ear, two plows and two sets of gear and one yoke of oxen and ox cart and all the crop that should be on hand at the death of his mother provided I should not be aliving when the crop should be agrowing or gathered and the fifth part of a spinning machine and it is my wish that the South East Quarters of the North West Quarter of land should after the death of my wife Sarah Jackson should be sold by my Executors hereafter mentioned at public sale and the proceeds to be equally divided among Gary Jackson, Allen Jackson, James Jackson Jr., Alexandre Jackson, Andrew Jackson all of which are my sons and also my daughters Nancy Turner, Rebecca Maness and Sarah Jackson and the children of Parthania Small is to draw their mother's share of the property which is to be equally divided among all my children also the stock of horses cattle and hogs with their increase and the household and kitchen furniture is also to be divided equally between the above named children at the death of their mother with the exception of what has been particularly described to my son Andrew Jackson.  It is also my wish that what will be coming to Nancy Turner and Rebecca Maness for my Executor to keep it in his hands so as to pay it to them in three annual payments to help support their families.  I do hereby appoint my son Andrew Jackson sole Executor of this my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I have herunto set my hand and seal the 27th day of April one thousand Eight hundred and forty.    James Xhis markX Jackson
Signed sealed and delivered published and declared by the said testator as for his last will and testament in our presence who at his request in his presence have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto: Philip Agee, William McGaw, Jeremiah Pritchet

Orphans Court for Marengo County Oct ten AD 1844
This day came Andrew Jackson who moved the Court that the instrument heretofore filed by him as the Last Will of James Jackson dec'd be admitted to probate as such and it appearing to the Court that the citations heretofore consented have been consented upon the Next of kin to said deceased and there being no objection to the probate of said Instrument William McGaw and Jeremiah Pritchet two of the subscribing witnesses thereto being duly sworn severally depose that they were present on the day said Instrument _____ date and saw said James Jackson dec'd sign and publish the same as his last will and testament that they together with Philip Agee subscribed thereto as witnesses in the presence of said testator and at his request and that said testator was of sound and deposing mind at the time of the publication of said will.  It therefore ordered that said Instrument be entered of record as the last will and testament of said James Jackson dec'd and that letters Testamentary be issued to the said Andrew Jackson who is therein named the Executor upon his giving bond as required by law in the sum of three thousand dollars.
  James A. Young, Judge OC (Office of the Court)

Sources

• 1820 U.S. Federal census of Marengo County Alabama
• 1830 U.S. Federal census of Marengo County Alabama
• 1840 U.S. Federal census of Marengo County Alabama
• BLM records of Marengo County Alabama
• 1820-1826 marriage records of Marengo County Alabama
• Alabama, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1753-1999 for James Jackson; Marengo Co., Wills, 1820-1898; https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8799/images/005330947_00289?pId=7432905