Francis Jackson (abolitionist)
Encyclopedia
Francis Jackson was an abolitionist
in Boston
, Massachusetts
. He was affiliated with the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society
, the Boston Female Anti-Slavery Society
, the American Anti-Slavery Society
and the Boston Vigilance Committee
. He also worked for the South Cove Corporation, filling in land in Boston's South End in the 1830s.
to Timothy Jackson (1756-1814), who fought in the American Revolutionary War
and later built the Jackson Homestead
in Newton. Siblings included Edmund Jackson, George Jackson, Stephen Jackson, Lucretia Jackson, and politician William Jackson
.
Francis Jackson served on the Boston City Council
in 1823-1824 (common council, Ward 12) and 1826 (alderman). In 1832 he held the position of "Land Commissioner" for the city of Boston. He lived on Washington Street (ca.1823), Tremont Street (ca.1832) and Hollis Street (ca.1848-1861).
He worked for the South Cove Corporation ca.1833-1840. In Boston "by 1830 the population had increased so much that it was felt that the time had come when more room was needed, and soon afterwards the first grand real estate enterprise was inaugurated by the filling up of the South Cove. The company was chartered Jan. 31st, 1833, and $415,000 was subscribed. The work was begun May 3d, 1834, under the management of Mr. Francis Jackson, and finished in November 1837. Seventy-seven acres of good land were thus added."
As an abolitionist, Jackson assisted fugitive slaves
: "he sheltered many in a room of his house, at Number 31 Hollis Street." He was involved with the trial of Anthony Burns
in 1854. In 1854 and 1856 he "was called upon to preside" over the New England Anti-Slavery Convention held at the Melodeon
.
In his will, Jackson left considerable funds to abolitionist and women's suffragist
efforts, and wrote about Massachusetts: "Disregarding the self-evident declaration of 1776, repeated in her own constitution of 1780, that 'all men are born free and equal,' Massachusetts has since, in the face of those solemn declarations, deliberately entered into a conspiracy with other states, to aid in enslaving millions of innocent persons. I have long labored to help my native state out of her deep iniquity, and her barefaced hypocrisy in the matter; I now enter my last protest against her inconsistency, her injustice, and her cruelty, toward an unoffending people. God save the fugitive slave that escapes to her borders, whatever may become of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts." Jackson also left money to Charles C. Burleigh, Lydia Maria Child, Stephen S. Foster
, Francis Jackson Garrison, William Lloyd Garrison
, Oliver Johnson, Parker Pillsbury
, Charles Lennox Redmond, Lucy Stone
, Robert F. Walcott and Charles K. Whipple.
Abolitionism
Abolitionism is a movement to end slavery.In western Europe and the Americas abolitionism was a movement to end the slave trade and set slaves free. At the behest of Dominican priest Bartolomé de las Casas who was shocked at the treatment of natives in the New World, Spain enacted the first...
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. He was affiliated with the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society
Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society
The Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society was organized as an auxiliary of the American Anti-Slavery Society in 1835. Its roots were in New England Anti-Slavery Society, organized by William Lloyd Garrison, editor of The Liberator, in 1831...
, the Boston Female Anti-Slavery Society
Boston Female Anti-Slavery Society
The Boston Female Anti-Slavery Society was an abolitionist, interracial organization in Boston, Massachusetts, in the mid-19th century. "During its brief history .....
, the American Anti-Slavery Society
American Anti-Slavery Society
The American Anti-Slavery Society was an abolitionist society founded by William Lloyd Garrison and Arthur Tappan. Frederick Douglass was a key leader of this society and often spoke at its meetings. William Wells Brown was another freed slave who often spoke at meetings. By 1838, the society had...
and the Boston Vigilance Committee
Boston Vigilance Committee
Boston Vigilance Committee was an abolitionist organization formed in Boston, Massachusetts on June 4, 1841 at the Marlboro Chapel, Hall No. 3....
. He also worked for the South Cove Corporation, filling in land in Boston's South End in the 1830s.
Biography
Jackson was born in Newton, MassachusettsNewton, Massachusetts
Newton is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States bordered to the east by Boston. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Newton was 85,146, making it the eleventh largest city in the state.-Villages:...
to Timothy Jackson (1756-1814), who fought in the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
and later built the Jackson Homestead
Jackson Homestead
The Jackson Homestead, located at 527 Washington Street, in the village of Newton Corner, in Newton, Massachusetts, is an historic house that served as a station on the Underground Railroad before the Civil War....
in Newton. Siblings included Edmund Jackson, George Jackson, Stephen Jackson, Lucretia Jackson, and politician William Jackson
William Jackson (Massachusetts)
William Jackson was a United States Representative from Massachusetts who lived at the Jackson Homestead....
.
Francis Jackson served on the Boston City Council
Boston City Council
The Boston City Council is the legislative branch of government for the city of Boston. It is made up of 13 members: 9 district representatives and 4 at-large members. Councilors are elected to two-year terms and there is no limit on the number of terms an individual can serve...
in 1823-1824 (common council, Ward 12) and 1826 (alderman). In 1832 he held the position of "Land Commissioner" for the city of Boston. He lived on Washington Street (ca.1823), Tremont Street (ca.1832) and Hollis Street (ca.1848-1861).
He worked for the South Cove Corporation ca.1833-1840. In Boston "by 1830 the population had increased so much that it was felt that the time had come when more room was needed, and soon afterwards the first grand real estate enterprise was inaugurated by the filling up of the South Cove. The company was chartered Jan. 31st, 1833, and $415,000 was subscribed. The work was begun May 3d, 1834, under the management of Mr. Francis Jackson, and finished in November 1837. Seventy-seven acres of good land were thus added."
As an abolitionist, Jackson assisted fugitive slaves
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and safe houses used by 19th-century black slaves in the United States to escape to free states and Canada with the aid of abolitionists and allies who were sympathetic to their cause. The term is also applied to the abolitionists,...
: "he sheltered many in a room of his house, at Number 31 Hollis Street." He was involved with the trial of Anthony Burns
Anthony Burns
Anthony Burns was born a slave in Stafford County, Virginia. As a young man, he became a Baptist and a "slave preacher"...
in 1854. In 1854 and 1856 he "was called upon to preside" over the New England Anti-Slavery Convention held at the Melodeon
Melodeon (Boston, Massachusetts)
The Melodeon was a concert hall and performance space in 19th-century Boston, Massachusetts, located on Washington Street, near West Street...
.
In his will, Jackson left considerable funds to abolitionist and women's suffragist
Women's suffrage
Women's suffrage or woman suffrage is the right of women to vote and to run for office. The expression is also used for the economic and political reform movement aimed at extending these rights to women and without any restrictions or qualifications such as property ownership, payment of tax, or...
efforts, and wrote about Massachusetts: "Disregarding the self-evident declaration of 1776, repeated in her own constitution of 1780, that 'all men are born free and equal,' Massachusetts has since, in the face of those solemn declarations, deliberately entered into a conspiracy with other states, to aid in enslaving millions of innocent persons. I have long labored to help my native state out of her deep iniquity, and her barefaced hypocrisy in the matter; I now enter my last protest against her inconsistency, her injustice, and her cruelty, toward an unoffending people. God save the fugitive slave that escapes to her borders, whatever may become of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts." Jackson also left money to Charles C. Burleigh, Lydia Maria Child, Stephen S. Foster
Stephen Symonds Foster
Stephen Symonds Foster was a radical American abolitionist known for his dramatic and aggressive style of public speaking, and for his stance against those in the church who failed to fight slavery. His marriage to Abby Kelley Foster brought his energetic activism to bear on women's rights...
, Francis Jackson Garrison, William Lloyd Garrison
William Lloyd Garrison
William Lloyd Garrison was a prominent American abolitionist, journalist, and social reformer. He is best known as the editor of the abolitionist newspaper The Liberator, and as one of the founders of the American Anti-Slavery Society, he promoted "immediate emancipation" of slaves in the United...
, Oliver Johnson, Parker Pillsbury
Parker Pillsbury
Parker Pillsbury was an American minister and advocate for abolition and women's rights.Pillsbury was born in Hamilton, Massachusetts...
, Charles Lennox Redmond, Lucy Stone
Lucy Stone
Lucy Stone was a prominent American abolitionist and suffragist, and a vocal advocate and organizer promoting rights for women. In 1847, Stone was the first woman from Massachusetts to earn a college degree. She spoke out for women's rights and against slavery at a time when women were discouraged...
, Robert F. Walcott and Charles K. Whipple.
Further reading
- In memoriam: Testimonials to the life and character of the late Francis Jackson. Boston: Published by R.F. Wallcut no. 221 Washington Street, 1861. Includes remarks by William Lloyd Garrison, Wendell PhillipsWendell PhillipsWendell Phillips was an American abolitionist, advocate for Native Americans, and orator. He was an exceptional orator and agitator, advocate and lawyer, writer and debater.-Education:...
, Samuel May, Lydia Maria Child.
External links
- WorldCat
- http://digitalgallery.nypl.org/nypldigital/id?1245597
- Petition of Francis Jackson and others in favor of abolition of slavery for the use of Faneuil HallFaneuil HallFaneuil Hall , located near the waterfront and today's Government Center, in Boston, Massachusetts, has been a marketplace and a meeting hall since 1742. It was the site of several speeches by Samuel Adams, James Otis, and others encouraging independence from Great Britain, and is now part of...
, 1842. (Office of Boston City Clerk Archives and Records Management Division) - http://www.flickr.com/photos/normanbleventhalmapcenter/2675247834/ South Cove, Boston, 1835