Dan’s Reflections on Reunion 2018

Dan’s Reflections on the 2018 Jackson Brigade Reunion

 

Jump to web page on Sunday August 5, 2018 Reunion Activities.

 

The 2018 Jackson Brigade Reunion was held August 3-5, 2018 in the Weston, WV area. We had 71 participants from all over the country including individuals from the states of California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Virginia.

 

The Missouri Clark contingent makes it to West Virginia! Photographer unknown.

 

Friday August 3, 2018

Participants started at the Hacker’s Creek Pioneer Descendants (HCPD) Library in Horner, WV. At 2 p.m. registration for the Jackson Brigade Reunion started.  Those who arrived early could do research in the HCPD Library as the Library was open to the public for family history research from 10 a.m. to 3 p,m. Several individuals set up Jackson family history displays on tables around the room. All photographs by Dan Hyde unless otherwise noted.

Room in HCPD Library where Dan’s presentations were held.

Dan setting up the digital projector for his presentations. Photo by Scott Hyde

Jaxon Clark thought it was neat to have his face “painted.”

Reunion participants settle into their seats. Photo by Linda Polley

 

At 3 p.m. the formal program began with President Dan Hyde welcoming the participants and presenting a talk  “History of Jackson Brigade Corporation: Celebrating 27 years.”

 

After his first talk, Dan presented a second talk “Recent Results from Jackson Brigade DNA Project.”

 

 

From 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. people viewed the family history materials and renewed or formed new family connections.

 

At 7 p.m. many of us met in the Back Room of the Steer Steakhouse, 100 Market Place Mall (across US 33 from Weston Walmart) to eat dinner and t0 continue our conversations. We chose from their menu and paid our own bills. There was no formal program, just great conversation.

      Missouri Clarks at the Steer Steakhouse

 

Saturday August 4, 2018

At 9 a.m. we met in the parking lot near the Super 8 Weston Lobby, 100 Market Place Mall, Weston for a tour of historic Jackson areas in Weston, Buckhannon, and Hall, WV. In Weston we drove by the Louis Bennett Library, the George Jackson Arnold house, the Hunter Bennett house, and Arnold Cemetery.  We stopped in the Stonewall Jackson Parking lot while our guide described the Weston State Hospital, now a private tourist site that gives tours and renamed the “Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum.”

Tour Guide Dan talks about the Weston State Hospital in the “Stonewall” Jackson Municipal Parking Lot. Photo by Ron Jackson

 

Each family was provided with driving instructions with maps and a tour booklet.  Though we drove our cars in caravan style, each driver had a designated navigator to read the maps and driving instructions while a third person read from the Tour Booklet about what we were seeing and why it was important to the Jackson family.  

Materials distributed for Saturday August 4, 2018 Tour

 

In Buckhannon, we visited the Farnsworth House, sites of Colonel Edward Jackson’s mill on the Island, John Jackson Jr.’s mill and dam, John Jackson Jr,’s millrace cut through the bend in Buckhannon River to form the Island, and Colonel George Jackson’s Stone House on the Island, the location of the first Harrison County Court.   

The Farnsworth House, now “The Governor’s Inn” Bed and BreakfastPhoto by Ron Jackson Photo by Ron Jackson
The modern dam at the mill raceway cut that John Jackson, Jr. made for his mills.Some of our group looking at the raceway cut made by John Jackson, Jr.Tour Guide Dan talking about the next destination. Photo by Dewayne LowtherThe sign that is near site of Colonel George Jackson’s Stone House.

 

We continued our tour to Hall, WV to visit the Henry Jackson Cemetery and view Henry Jackson’s cabin that still exists as a room in Doug and Ann Bush’s house.

Sign at Henry Jackson Cemetery in Hall, WVThe gate to the old barbwire fence.  We hope to replace the fence with a modern one! Photo by Dewayne LowtherSome of the gang at the cemetery.  The cemetery is on top of a hill with beautiful views.One can see the two large coffin-like stones on Henry Jackson and his second wife’s  graves. Photo by Ron JacksonThe heavy coffin-like stones were hauled up the mountain by oxen. Photo by Ron JacksonGrave stone for Henry Jackson’s second wife Elizabeth Shreve Jackson. Photo by Ron JacksonDescendants of Henry Jackson in our group. Photo by Kevin ClarkBehind George and Sara Eccleston above, you can see the disrepair of the fence around the cemetery.The view looking south from the cemetery.
“Amber + Bobbie” sign mowed in the grass.View of Doug and Ann Bush’s house and barn from the cemetery. Photo by Ron Jackson

 

At noon we stopped on our tour for lunch at Bethany Baptist Church in Hall, WV.  Doug and Ann Bush, who attend the church, arranged for us a delicious buffet lunch.

Bethany Baptist Church in Hall, WV. Photo by Dewayne LowtherBethany Baptist Church viewed from the side. Photo by Ron JacksonBuckhannon River across the road from Bethany Baptist Church Inside the sanctuary of the Bethany Baptist ChurchAttendance sign in Bethany Baptist Church.  Note the dates! Photo by Ron JacksonSome of the gang in the church’s parking lot. Photo by Kevin ClarkSome of the gang waits for lunch in church’s large meeting hall.Doug Bush had graciously laid out for us historical materials.More of the gang waiting for lunch.More of the gang waiting for lunch. The counter filled with food. Photo by Ron JacksonSome of the food on the counter.Some of the food on the counter. Doug Bush confers with Nancy Jackson.
Our hosts Doug and Ann BushDoug and Ann Bush’s granddaughter Virginia.Sharing pictures. 

 

At 1 p.m. we hop in our cars and drive back to Buckhannon. The tour continued past the Isaac Dix farm to Pringle Tree Park.

Entrance to Pringle Tree Park, northeast of Buckhannon, WV. Photo by Ron JacksonSign at Pringle Tree Park – In 1768 John Jackson with sons George and Edward made a tomahawk mark on the tree.Current Pringle Tree which is a third generation offshoot of Pringle Brothers’ tree. Members study the Pringle TreeThe hollow in the current tree has really closed up.  A few years ago, children could go inside.View of Turkey Run as it dumps into the Buckhannon River.Nancy Ann JacksonNancy Jackson is explaining where the Jackson Brigade Time Capsule is buried.Members taking a breather.

After visiting Pringle Tree Park, we drive back towards Weston on US 33. In Horner, we turn onto old US 33, drive by Horner HCPD Library, Bush Inn site, and the Jacob Jay Jackson’s house site.

 The Jacob Jay Jackson House was partially torn down in March 2018 to retrieve the 27 inch by 27 inch poplar logs of the original 1848 house. The take down appeared on the DIY TV show “Barnwood Builders” in August 2018.

 

After the tour was over at 3 p.m., Dan, Mary Jane and Scott Hyde along with other Jackson Brigade Reunion attendees decided to pay for a tour of the “Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum” in Weston.

  Main entrance to Weston State Hospital or the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum. 

It is world’s second largest cut stone building.  It is 1/4 of a mile wide!

 

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the HCPD Library was open to the public for family history research for those who did not want to go on tour. After the Library closed to the public at 2 p.m., Jackson Brigade Reunion attendees could continue to do family history research until 5 p.m.

 

At 6 pm we had our Jackson Brigade Banquet dinner at Horner United Methodist Church.  Jackson Brigade member Joy Defazio attends the church and made the arrangements.  

To clear the social hall so the crew could prepare dinner, Joy had the Jackson Brigade people go into the sanctuary and sing. Photo by Ron JacksonJoy Defazio, in red and white striped blouse, and her team of church volunteers. Photo by Dewayne Lowther
The Jackson Brigade attendees waiting for dinner. Photo by Ron Jackson
The Jackson Brigade attendees waiting for dinner. Photo by Ron Jackson
The Jackson Brigade attendees waiting for dinner. Photo by Ron Jackson
 The Jackson Brigade attendees waiting for dinner.Joy directs the serving of the food. Photo by Dewayne Lowther
The Jackson Brigade Reunion attendees listening to Joy.Bob Williams and Jane Hilder chat with Hunter Lesser, the speaker.Mary Jane and Scott HydeJoy pouring drink.Desserts!

 

At 7 pm we had our after-dinner speaker: Hunter Lesser of Elkins who spoke on how the State of West Virginia was formed in 1863. The title of his talk was “Lincoln’s Odd Trick: Heroes, Rascals & Rogues of West Virginia Statehood.” Hunter Lesser, author, archaeologist and interpreter, enjoys sharing forgotten tales from history that offer lessons for the digital age. A member of the West Virginia Sesquicentennial Commission, he is coauthor of the Cambridge History of the American Civil War, soon to be published by Cambridge University Press.

 

Since we were unable to obtain the projector screen as planned, Joy suggested we gather in the sanctuary and project the images on the white wall.  That worked out well.

We start gathering in the sanctuary for the speaker.The speaker, Hunter Lesser, signs copies of his book for members of the audience.  Photo by Dewayne Lowther
Jackson Brigade member Paula McGrew with speaker. Photo by Dewayne Lowther

 

More pictures and text on our activities on Sunday August 5, 2018