The new fencing around the Henry Jackson Cemetery as the sun rises one morning.
Photo taken November 2021.
The Jackson Brigade Corporation is proud to announce the completion of the new fencing around the historic Henry Jackson Cemetery. The cemetery is in Hall, Upshur County, WV, about six miles northeast of Buckhannon, WV.
Henry was the youngest son of John and Elizabeth (Cummins) Jackson who immigrated to Maryland in 1748 from England. Henry settled this land and built a one-room log cabin on the property about 1800. From the cemetery, one can see Doug and Ann Bush’s current white farmhouse in the valley below. The one-room and chimney of Henry’s cabin are part of Doug and Ann’s house today.
Henry Jackson (1774-1852) had at least 23 children by his two wives — Mary Hyre and Elizabeth Shreves. Of his thirteen children with Mary Hyre, eight got married and had children. Of his ten children with Elizabeth Shreve, seven got married and had children! Counting up the grandkids, he had at least 108 grandchildren!
Henry’s brother Edward’s son David Edward “Davey” Jackson was a famous fur trader in the Rocky Mountains, who led one of the first wagon trains west on the Oregon Trail in the early 1830s. Jackson Hole, Wyoming is named after Davey. With first-hand knowledge from their first cousin Davey, five of Henry and Mary’s children and their families migrated west by wagon train to Oregon between 1843 and 1854. Henry’s son Edward was killed by Indians during an attack on their wagon train. To read about Henry Jackson’s children that moved west to Oregon, read the following article by John C. Jackson: http://www.jacksonbrigade.com/
Coffin-like gravestone of Henry Jackson (1774-1852).
The most interesting graves in the historic cemetery are two coffin-like gravestones for Henry Jackson and his second wife Elizabeth Shreves. The coffin-like tombstones were hauled up the hill to the cemetery by a team of oxen. Past relatives claimed that 35 persons were buried in the historic cemetery. Three of Henry’s sons who served in the American Civil War are buried here.
Many members of the Jackson Brigade Corporation, a nation-wide genealogical organization (website at www.jacksonbrigade.com ), visited the Henry Jackson Cemetery during the organization’s 2014 Reunion. The old barbed-wire fencing surrounding the cemetery was in poor shape in 2014. See the below image.
The poor condition of the Henry Jackson Cemetery’s fencing in 2014.
Part of the actions of the 2014 Reunion was to find the funds to replace the rotting posts and broken down fencing with a more appropriate fence. It took us a few years but we have found the funds, mostly through private donations. Jackson Brigade Board member Ed Clark, of Knoxville, TN, did most of the legwork to make this new fencing happen. Ed investigated the options and selected the contractor Dan Neel Fence Company of Bridgeport, WV to do the installation. We thank Ed for all his time and effort to make this project succeed. Also, we would like to acknowledge the help provided by Doug Bush and Jim Tomey in completing this project. Doug, who lives near the cemetery, acted on our behalf in meeting the interested parties as they came to evaluate the site. Jim, the owner of the property, is doing a great job of maintaining the cemetery plot.
The Jackson Brigade Corporation is proud to be able to provide appropriate fencing for the historic Henry Jackson Cemetery. The new fencing will preserve the cemetery for generations into the future.
One comment
Thank you, Dan! As always I am grateful for your tireless efforts to keep us, the family, updated and informed. I am proud to be a Jackson relative!
The cemetery fence is beautiful!