William Jackson (abt. 1718 - abt. 1794)

Born about 1718 in Horsham, Philadelphia Co, Pennsylvania Colony

Husband of Abigail (Haskins) Jackson — married before 1742 in Horsham MM, Horsham Township, Montgomery, Pennsylvania

Husband of Abigail (Stiles) Jackson — married 11 Mar 1752 in Christ Church, Philadelphia, PA

Descendants

Died about 1794 at about age 76 in Loudoun, Virginia, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Beth Stephenson [send private message], Sam Scott [send private message], and Lisa Moeller [send private message]

Biography

William Jackson was a Virginia colonist.

William was a Friend (Quaker)

William Jackson was born circa 1718 - 1728 in an area called Horsham, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. He was a member of the Abington Monthly Quaker Meeting in an area that is now known as Jenkintown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. According to an Abington Quaker record in 1742, William Jackson and his (first) wife transferred from Horsham Quaker Meeting at that time.^[1] Montgomery County was formed from Philadelphia County in 1784, long after William Jackson left the area. Here is that Quaker record, written on the 26th of the 5th month of 1742:

William Jackson and Wife Transfer from Horsham to Abington MM

William Jackson's first wife died circa 1751. Based upon estimated ages of his eldest two sons, John and William, it is thought that these two boys were the children of this first wife. The Op Dyck Genealogy book cites four of William's children who were said to be the children of Abigail "Haskins" of New Jersey.^[2] A little more research is needed to confirm.

William Jackson was second married to Abigail Stiles in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 11, 1752.^[3] This marriage was held in one of the oldest churches in America, the Christ Church. Here is a link to the history of that church: Christ Church

Christ Church, Philadelphia

On October 30, 1752, William Jackson wrote an apology "acknowledging his misconduct in marrying contrary to established Rules of the Society." This written apology was read at the Men's Monthly Meeting at the Abington Quaker church that date.^[4] The Quakers allowed William Jackson to remain a member there.

William Jackson Repents His Non-Quaker Marriage

Again, in May of 1761, William Jackson wrote an apology condemning his marriage in a non- Quaker church. This time, his letter was to remove the "obstickle" preventing Quaker certificates of transfer for a move to Fairfax MM in Loudoun County, Virginia. William Jackson continued to worship at Abington Monthly Quaker Meeting in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania until his removal to Fairfax Monthly Quaker Meeting.^[5] In May of 1761, William Jackson received three certificates for transferring membership to that congregation in Virginia: One for himself and two for his eldest sons, John and William.

William Jackson's Transfer of Quaker Membership

It seems logical that William Jackson would have made this move via the Great Wagon Road. This was the usual path of transportation at that time. Here is a link to a website with a little information on the Great Wagon Road from Philadelphia: Great Wagon Road

On "ye 31st of ye 12th month, 1763," William Jackson appeared at the Fairfax Monthly Meeting in Waterford, Virginia with his Certificate of Transfer from Abington Monthly Meeting in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. It seems that the certificate had originally been offered for inspection about two years previously and was required again:

Proof that William Jackson and Sons John and William Moved to Virginia

On September 12, 1765, William Jackson leased a farm from George Fairfax in Loudoun County, Virginia. The Fairfax family were land barons in the area and owned far too much land to manage it all personally.^[6]

William Jackson Leased a Farm from George Fairfax

William Jackson appears on the Tithables and Tax Lists of Loudoun County, Virginia from 1765 through 1782.

1768 Loudoun Co Tithables

The following notation in the Fairfax Quaker meeting record from the 11th month of 1776 could provide proof of residence during the American Revolutionary War. Evidently, William Jackson was neglectful in his church attendance during that eventful time in American history:

Residence During Revolutionary War

The Fairfax Quakers were not happy with William Jackson in 1777, either:

William Jackson Neglectful in Quaker Duties

On the 22nd of the 12th month of 1781, William Jackson personally read an apology letter to the Fairfax Quakers. This letter was needed to restore him to membership in good standing:

William Jackson Apology to Fairfax Quakers

In November of 1782, the Quakers went to visit William Jackson at his home twice, and both times, he was away from home and not available to be reprimanded for missing church meetings:

William Jackson Away from Home During Revolutionary War

On November 11, 1782, William Jackson appeared in Loudoun County court and requested that he be exempted from taxes and tariffs due to his advanced age.^[7] This request was granted, and in the margin of Order Book G, page 459, it says "William Jackson, Levy Free." Here is that record from the Family History Library:^[8]

William Jackson Levy Free Due to Age

William Jackson wrote his will on February 5, 1782. This will was presented to the Loudoun County probate court over thirteen years later, on April 14, 1795. The will of William Jackson was recorded in Will Book E, Loudoun County, Virginia, page 104. Link to Will Book E Here is an image file of Will Book E, pages 104- 105 from familysearch.org:

Will of William Jackson

Based upon the Quaker style of dating the will, it is evident that William Jackson was still adhering to the old Quaker calendar. His widow, Abigail, and nine children were named in the will. The following children were beneficiaries in the will of William Jackson:

John Jackson

Martha Jackson

Mary Jackson

James Jackson

Richard Jackson

Phoebe Jackson

William Jackson Junior

Ann Jackson Heaton

Sarah Jackson Houghton

Research Notes

Many descendants list a different wife for William Jackson named "Abigail Haskins." The first evidence for a man named William Jackson in the Abington Quaker Men's Minutes, taken the 26th of the 5th Month of 1742, is for William Jackson and his wife who are desirous to join the Quaker church. It is not clear whether the subject of this profile is the son of that William Jackson or the same William Jackson. This is an avenue for future research. Here is a screenshot of the notation in the Quaker Men's Minutes that approves William Jackson and his wife as new members of the Abington Quaker Church:

William Jackson's Parents or First Wife?

Because this date was ten years before William Jackson's marriage out of unity, it could potentially be either a source for William Jackson's parents or a source for a first marriage with Abigail Haskins. Many descendants cite Abigail Haskins as a first marriage for William Jackson. Unfortunately, no one has offered any sources to prove that lineage.

All descendants of William Jackson are welcome to join us in our ongoing research into the origins of William Jackson, the Quaker who lived in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania and Loudoun County, Virginia.

Sources

1. ↑ Pennsylvania Quaker Meeting Minutes, Swarthmore College; Swarthmore, Pennsylvania; Abington MM Men´s Minutes, 1682-1746
2. ↑ Opdyke, Charles Wilson (born in 1838); Opdycke, Leonard Eckstein (born in 1858): The Op Dyck Genealogy: Containing the Opdyck-Opdycke-Opdyke-Updike American descendants of the Wesel and Holland families. Page 240. Link to Opdyke Genealogy
3. ↑ Pennsylvania Marriage Records. Harrisburg, PA: Pennsylvania Archives Printed Series, 1876. Series 2, Series 6. Marriage Record of Christ Church, Philadelphia. 1709 - 1806. page 135.
4. ↑ Swarthmore, Quaker Meeting Records. Friends Historical Library, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. Abington Men's Meeting Minutes, October 30, 1752.
5. ↑ Hinshaw, William Wade. Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy. Vol. VI: (Virginia). Page 515.
6. ↑ Loudoun County, Virginia, Deed Book D, page 691.
7. ↑ Loudoun County, Virginia, Order (minute) books, 1757-1904, and rough minute books, 1767-1809. Order Book G, Page 459. November 11, 1782.
8. ↑ Family History Library Film Number 007895930, Loudoun County Order Book G, p 459. Image 588 of 621. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4N-DSGT-N?i=587&cat=400181

• Pennsylvania Marriage Records. Harrisburg, PA: Pennsylvania Archives Printed Series, 1876. Series 2, Series 6. Marriage Record of Christ Church, Philadelphia. 1709 - 1806. page 135.

• Hinshaw, William Wade. Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy. Vol. VI: (Virginia). Page 515.

• Loudoun County, Virginia, Deed Book D, page 691.

• "The Historians Guide to Loudoun Co., Va." Vol. 1 by John T. Phillips, II.

• Abstracts of the Tithables of Loudoun County, Virgina, by Ruth and Sam Sparacios

• "Index to the 1782-1850 Loudoun Co Personal Property Tax Lists" by Pat Duncan

• Will Book E, Loudoun Co, VA, page 104

• Swarthmore, Quaker Meeting Records. Friends Historical Library, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. Abington Men's Meeting Minutes, October 30, 1752.