Jackson Brigade Reunion Recap August 16-18, 2024 in Clarksburg-Weston area of WV
Fifty Jackson Brigade Corporation (JBC) members and guests attended the Jackson Brigade Reunion the weekend of August 17th, 2024. Attendees came from ten different states and two continents. We had a nice mix of geography, from California and Arizona to New York to and Pennsylvania to Virginia. There were some late cancellations. One of which, sadly, was due to the passing of JBC member Sara Eccleston (Edward Line) less than two weeks before the event. She was scheduled to attend with four generations in her group. A complete list of attendees and their contact information will be posted on the Jackson Brigade website.
Check-in began at 10:30 am Friday at Hackers Creek Pioneer Descendants headquarters (HCPD), which was the site of most of our activities. Executive Director Patty Lesondak and her staff were gracious hosts for the weekend. At 2:00 pm our group went to Jackson’s Mill where Program Director Joe Obidzinski presented the history of Jackson’s Mill. After a classroom session, we toured the (actual) Jackson Mill and museum. Joe concluded with a cornmeal grind at the restored Blakers grist mill. Rain threatened all afternoon, but we stayed dry for the most part. The clouds tempered the August heat.
After the grind, we met with Joni Morris at the Edward Jackson Cemetery at Jackson’s Mill. Joni heads up the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia who are restoring the cemetery and repairing several of our ancestors’ headstones. They hosted a hands-on workshop the following day (Saturday), with guidance on cemetery regulations and tips on cleaning, reading, and repairing headstones. JBC member Barb Miller found out about the Saturday workshop and connected us. Joni was on site Friday afternoon and agreed to talk with us. At 6:30 pm, we had a social hour at HCPD. At 7:30, regional historian and author Hunter Lesser talked about his research regarding, “Robert E. Lee’s Feuding Generals: Wise vs Floyd.” It was well received.
Saturday morning at 9:00 am, Clarksburg History Museum Director Marsha Viglianco and her staff gave us a tour of the Museum. Afterward we boarded vans to begin our driving tour of Clarksburg. The first stop was Lowndes Hill, where Union forces built defensive earthworks early in the Civil War. A reenactor shared his considerable knowledge on the daily life of the soldiers. From there we made our way to downtown Clarksburg, driving by the many historic sites laid out in the driving tour handout produced by Linda Meyers, Dan Hyde, and Nancy Jackson. Our last stop was the historic Jackson Cemetery, the final resting place for John and Elizabeth Cummins Jackson. The driving tour handout will be available on the JB website.
After a buffet lunch at Kelly’s 2.0 restaurant, we met with local historian David Houchin at The Waldomore, an extension of the Clarksburg Public Library. David gave us background on the building’s history, spoke on the exploits of Col. George Jackson and his son John George, and allowed us to explore the archives on the second floor. That evening, we convened again at HCPD for a nice dinner served by their staff. Group photos were taken prior to dinner. At 6:30 pm, JBC member and resident of Queensland Australia, Cynthia Parrill, gave a presentation on, “Using DNA to Solve Jackson Family Mysteries.” Cynthia made technical subject matter relatable to the group. It was well done and appreciated by the group. Her PowerPoint slides and notes will be available on the JB website.
On Sunday morning, we met one last time at HCPD for social time, a Memorial Service, and our JBC Business Meeting. Patty and her staff gave our group access and guidance to their archives the entire weekend. They are a respected regional hub for genealogical research. In the Memorial Service, twenty individuals were recognized. The Memorial Brochure will be posted on the JB website. In the business meeting, it was recognized that the financial status of the JBC is healthy and adequate to support our work. Expenses are modest, our income covers those expenses, and there are no major projects planned in the near future. Our challenge is to fill vacancies on the JBC Board and meet the needs of our members.
HCPD provided a nice lunch to conclude our activities there. Afterward, about fifteen members chose to do an optional driving tour. We drove to the Henry Jackson Cemetery in Hall WV. The new fence looked great. We had a few rain showers up on the hillside. The view of the surrounding countryside was impressive. Afterwards, some of us drove down the hill to see Henry Jackson’s [c1820] log cabin, now part of the home of Doug and Ann Bush. As they always do, Doug and Ann shared their home, their historic photos, and their personal stories. From there, we made our way to Pringle Tree Park to conclude our time in Clarksburg and Weston.
Many thanks to Joe Obidzinski, Hunter Lesser, and Cynthia Parrill for sharing their knowledge and stories. And to Marsha Viglianco and Patty Lesondak for sharing their facilities and staff.
A final comment, prior to the business meeting, past president Jane Carlile Hilder shared heartfelt thoughts on the remarkable story of Nancy Jackson. She had and continues to have an amazing life. Nancy, with help from Linda Meyers, was instrumental in creating [in 1992] a new and improved version of the previous (1921-1941) Jackson descendants organization. I am speculating on their intent, but the results speak volumes. Jane and I agreed that a wooden plaque or framed declaration were inadequate expressions of our gratitude. She noted that this unexpectedly large number of cousins (50) coming together in Weston/Clarksburg is evidence of and a result of the love felt for Nancy and the organization she nurtured for more than 30 years.
With appreciation,
Ed Clark
JBC President
Posted August 31, 2024
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by David Houchin
by David Houchin
