Thomas Jackson (1806 - after 1880) and
Unknown Smith

Thomas M. Jackson was the son of Nathan Jackson and possibly Margaret Moffett of Henry County, Georgia, named in Nathan Jackson's will in 1854. "I give and bequeath at my death to my children that is now living the rest of my property - both real and personal wherever and whatever it may be to be divided among them Equally - the names of my children are as follows to wit James A. JACKSON - Thomas M JACKSON - Lewis A. JACKSON - William A. JACKSON - Jane JOURDAN - Sarah JACKSON and Marthena HAYS". ^[2]

Proof that this Thomas M. Jackson named in the will is our Thomas Jackson who resided in Carroll County in 1860 is found in this 1861 indenture in Henry County, Georgia, "I Thomas Jackson of the County of Carroll of said state for and in consideration of the sum of Five Hundred and Six 75/100 Dollars cash to me in hand paid at and before the sealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, hath granted bargained sold and conveyed, and by these presents doth grant bargain, sell and convey unto Thomas H. Bryans of county first aforesaid all and every of my interest in the estate of my Father, Nathan Jackson and my Mother, Margaret Jackson, both of County first aforesaid (Except my interest in the first sale of my father’s estate which occurred immediately after the death of my father) consisting of property real, personal and mixed; to the extent of the sum aforesaid to wit – Five Hundred and Six 75/100 Dollars". ^[3]

Although Thomas Jackson names his mother Margaret Jackson in the indenture above, there are some inconsistencies in the known records which also point to Priscilla SANDERS as mother of Thomas and his older brothers Jourdan and James. There is a marriage record of Nathan JACKSON to Priscilla SANDERS in Warren Co., GA, 18 July 1799. There seems to be a large gap in reported birth dates of children between Thomas born about 1805 or 1806 and the next child, Jane, born in 1813. A transcription of a Moffett family bible gives the marriage date of Nathan Jackson to Margaret Moffett as February 9, 1812 and on a later page as February 9, 1813. There are several other errors on the transcription, and perhaps some info that was added to the transcription that was not in the original bible. In his will, written in 1854, Nathan Jackson stated that he had been married to Margaret for 49 years, which would give a marriage date of about 1805. More research is needed to prove the mother of Thomas Jackson.

We know from family traditions^[4] and from a Kimsey family bible^[5] record that Thomas Jackson's first wife was a Smith, but we do not know her name or her parents. The bible record, though almost illegible, seems to indicate more children, at least five or six entries on the girls lines, and one to three on the boys lines. One marriage record of a Thomas Jackson to Mary Smith has been found in Greene County, Georgia, on 05 December 1826, but it has not been proven that this is our Thomas Jackson. Martha Adlade Jackson told family members that her mother died when Martha was a child, of cancer. In the Kimsey bible, Thelma Kimsey's paternal grandmother was recorded as Harriet Henrietta Smith, daughter of John Smith. Since families moved together and often intermarried, this Smith line could be related to the unknown Smith wife of Thomas Jackson. Another Smith associated with the Jackson family was Anderson Smith. In 1860, Anderson Smith age 70, Methodist Clergymen, lived near Thomas Jackson in Bowden, Carroll Co., GA, with Elizabeth age 56, and Ann E. age 30, but no proof has been found to connect this Smith to the wife of Thomas Jackson.

Although the daughters reported in later census records that they were born in Georgia, they have not been located in the 1850 Georgia census. There was a Thomas J. Jackson in Coweta County, Georgia in 1850, with a wife Lucy A. age 31, and daughters that closely match our family: Mary J., 7; James, 13; Thomas J., 10; Martha A., 8; William G., 6; Emily E.F., 3; and John E., 7. This Thomas J. Jackson is reported by Jackson descendants to be the son of Ephraim and Ann Jackson. His wife is Lucy Ann Susan Henderson, daughter of Jane and possibly Richard Henderson. The Martha A. above is claimed as Martha Ann Jackson (1842-1924) who married Edmond N. Walker, so she could not be our Martha Adlade.

In 1853, May 13, in Carroll County, Georgia, Thomas Jackson purchased fifty and five eighths of an acre from William A. Jackson, most likely his much younger brother William A. Jackson named in Nathan Jackson's will; the land was one quarter of the lot 170, ninth district (which became the 11th Georgia Militia District) that William A. Jackson had purchased from James Burt on November 20, 1852. The same day in May, William A. Jackson sold another quarter of lot 170 to Joseph C. Jackson.^[6] Joseph C. Jackson is not one of the known sons of William A. Jackson, nor one of the brothers of Thomas M. Jackson. He could be a son of Thomas M. Jackson, but he could also be one of many related Jacksons in Georgia in this time period.

A typical dogtrot style home
The Shelnutt House, ca. 1849
Bowden Historical Society
Photo by Cindy Smith
Click photo for larger view

Thomas Jackson appears in tax lists in Carroll County, Georgia beginning in 1854, for taxes due in District 9, Lot 170, Georgia Militia District 1006. He owned 50 acres, 3rd quality, the land valued at 300. The amount of money and solvent debts of all kinds was 300; aggregate value of all other property was 150; aggregate value of all property 750. The total tax amount assessed was 1.34.^[7] That same year the tax records indicate that Thomas Jackson was administrator for the estate of Thomas M. Carpenter, deceased. Thomas M. Carpenter and Thomas M. Jackson were first cousins related through a shared grandmother, Abigail (Jordan) [Carpenter] Moffett, who married first Unknown Carpenter, and had son Thomas Carpenter, father of Thomas M. Carpenter. She married second, Thomas Moffett, and one of their children was Margaret Moffett, who married Nathan Jackson. Nathan Jackson and possibly Margarett Moffett were Thomas M. Jackson's parents.

In 1855, Thomas JACKSON, is taxed in District 11, Lot 170, Haralson, Georgia Militia District 1111. This is some of the same land, but as District 1006 bordered District 1111, he sometimes appears on both district lists. He has more land, but how he acquired it is not clear from the land records. He has 50 acres 3rd quality, 75 acres of 2nd quality, and another 75 acres of 3rd quality. His poll number is 1, indicating one eligible voter. There are two "poor school children". The aggregate value of land is 600; amount of money and solvent debt 10; aggregate value of all other property is 150; the aggregate value of all property 760. Total value after the allowed deduction of 200 is 560; amount of total taxes .92-5.^[8] Thomas Jackson continues as administrator of Thomas Carpenter's estate. ^[9]

In 1856, Thomas JACKSON appears on the tax list in District 9, Lot 170, Haralson, Georgia Militia District 1111, Carroll Co., GA, and again for the same property in Georgia Militia District 1006. He owned 50 acres 3rd quality, 75 acres of 2nd quality, and another 75 acres of 3rd quality. His poll number is 1, and he had two children between 8 and 16. The land value was 600; aggregate value of all other property not being enumerated except plantation and mechanical tools, annual crops, provisions, etc. was 100; aggregate value of all property 700; value after deducting 200 equaled 500; amount of tax of professions, dentists, polls, free persons of color, etc. was .25.^[10] Thomas Jackson was still acting as administrator of the estate of Thomas Carpenter.

In 1857, not much has changed but it appears he has made some improvements, as 25 acres moves from 3rd to 2nd quality. He is reported in District 9, Lot 170, Haralson District Georgia Militia District 1111. He reported 50 acres 3rd quality, 100 acres of 2nd quality, another 50 acres of 3rd quality, the lands residing in Carroll and Heard Counties. The poll was 1, and there were two children between 8 and 16. The aggregate value of land was 500; aggregate value of whole property, 700; amount of tax of professions, dentists, polls, free persons of color, etc. was .25. ^[11]

By 1858, Thomas JACKSON is a defaulter on the tax list, perhaps indicating a change in his financial status, or as in some cases, absent from the county when the taxes were collected. He is still in Militia District 1111, Haralson District, Carroll Co., GA. The number of acres of 2nd quality is 50; number of acres of 3rd quality is 50; total number of acres is 150, but it is not clear where the other 50 acres is reported. The land lies in Carroll and Heard (District 12). The aggregate value of land is 600; aggregate value of all other property not being enumerated except plantation and mechanical tools, annual crops, provisions, etc. 100; aggregate value of whole property 700; value after deducting 200, 1400; total amount of tax is 3.85. There are no children between 8 and 16 reported.^[12]

In 1859, Thomas JACKSON of Militia District 1111, Haralson District, Carroll Co., GA, has 50 acres 3rd quality, and total number of acres is 150, but it is clearer now where the other land is located. He owns land in lot #170, District 9, of section 5 (same land as before but the section numbers have changed) in Carroll, and in Heard County he holds lot number #137, District 12, of section 11. The aggregate value of land is 700; amount of money and solvent debts of all kinds, 50; aggregate value of all other property not being enumerated except plantation and mechanical tools, annual crops, provisions, etc. is 150; aggregate value of whole property 900; value after deducting 200 is 700. The amount of tax of professions, dentists, polls, free persons of color, etc. is .25; total amount of tax 1.58. The poll is 1; there are two children between 8 and 16 [Elmira was 12 and Lucinda was 16].^[13]

In the 1860 census of Carroll County, Georgia, Bowden District, we find Thomas Jackson age 55, a farmer, born in GA; Martha age 20, Lucinda age 16, and Elmira age 12 all born in Georgia^[14]. This is our Jackson family, but Mary (Mollie) is not in the list of household members. She has not married Phillip Wolf yet.

Thomas Jackson received a legacy of $857.12 from his father Nathan Jackson's estate on 17 January, 1860. His mother died before Jan 9, 1860, when an appraisal of her estate was conducted. A year later, on 5 Jan 1861, Thomas Jackson of Carroll Co. conveyed his share of the estates for Nathan and Margaret for 506.75 to Thomas H. Bryans.

The Civil War began on April 12, 1861, when Confederate forces fired upon Fort Sumter. Thomas was over 55 when the war began, so was not required to enlist. A definitive record of service has not been found, but there was a Thomas M. Jackson in the 7th Battalion, Cavalry (State Guards), Co. E.^[15]. Also known as Beman Mounted Infantry, the battalion was organized with seven companies in Hancock County in August 1863 to serve for six months as local defense within the limits of the State. Hancock borders Warren and Green Counties. It was mustered out in February 1864. The war ended May 10, 1865.

Within six months of the war's end, Thomas Jackson's daughter Martha married John Henry Holdridge, who fought in a unit from Tallapoosa County, Alabama, and was injured in the war.

In 1866, Thomas Jackson, by then residing in Tallapoosa, Alabama, sold "fifty acres and one half of an acre more or less", part of lot number 170 in the ninth district of Carroll County, to G.A. McDaniel for the sum of five hundred dollars.^[16]

Thomas Jackson remarried at least once, in 1867, to Emerline Holdridge Bryant, widow of Robert Bryant, who was killed in the Civil War. Emerline was John Henry Holdridge's first cousin. Thomas Jackson and Emerline had two sons, but both died in infancy.^[17]

In the 1870 census Thomas Jackson has not been located. In 1880 his household was located in Hackneyville, Tallapoosa County, Alabama, composed of Thomas Jackson, age 74, born in Georgia, occupation pedlar (sic), father born in North Carolina, mother in Georgia; Emerly Jackson, wife, age 44, born in Georgia.^[18] Emily died in 1899 in Tallapoosa Co., Alabama, but no record of Thomas Jackson's death and location has been found.