William Jackson (1853 - aft. 1937)

Born 12 Jul 1853 in Tennessee, United States

Died after 1937 after age 83 in Arkansas, United States

Biography

William Jackson is a part of US Black heritage.

William Jackson was interviewed in Pine Bluff, Arkansas about 1937 about his life and his time as an enslaved person.

"I was born in Tennessee, raised in Mississippi, and been here in Arkansas up and down the Arkansas River ever since I was fifteen. A fellow bought me in Tennessee and sold me to a fellow named Abe Collins in Mississippi. He sold me to Dr. Maloney and then Winn and Trimble in Hempstead County, bought me. They run a tanyard. I went to school one day in my life. My third master's children learned me my ABC's in slavery times. I'm not educated but I can read. Read the Bible and something like that."

"I come to Pine Bluff in '82. Last place I farmed was at what they call the Nichol place. I used to vote Republican -- wouldn't let us vote nothin' else. In this country they won't let n----rs vote in the primary 'cause they can vote in the presidential election. I held one office - justice of the peace."

William does not name any family members in his interview.

Slave Owners

1. Abe Collins
2. Dr Maloney
3. Winn & Trimble

Interview: William Jackson was interviewed in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, by Mrs. Bernice Bowden as part of the Federal Writer's Project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The results are made available by the Library of Congress. ^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ [1] Library of Congress - WPA - Slave Narrative - William Jackson - Vol. 2, Arkansas, part 4; pages 28-29, images 31-32 of 314.