Jacksons: Congrave, James, Caleb, and Elizabeth Jackson
Bush: Margaret Bush
Burrus: Thomas and Mildred Burrus
Figure 27- Colton’s map of the Southern States, courtesy of the Library of Congress
Elizabeth’s Great Grandparents in Virginia
As a refresher, because her parents were cousins, Elizabeth’s great grandparents are as follows: Congrave Jackson and Mary Margaret Bush; Joseph Joel Embree and Mildred “Millie” Burrus; John Brockman (Sr.) and Elizabeth Burrus.
Mary Margaret Bush (who typically went by Margaret)[i] was born in 1735 to John and Martha Bush. Two years later Congrave Jackson was born to an unknown parent.[ii] In 1772 Congrave and Margaret were married in Bedford, VA.[iii] Shortly after their marriage they had their first of 8 children, James Jackson who was also Elizabeth Jackson’s grandfather.[iv] Their other children include Patsy, Temperance, Lydia, Margaret, Fanny, Suckey and Nancy.[v]
On January 1774 Margaret’s father John Bush (jr.) passed away in Bedford County Virginia.[vi] Reading his will one may conclude he was deeply religious as he opens by saying “Sorry from the Bottom of my Heart for my sins Past most Humbly desire forgiveness for the same.” He continues by committing his soul “unto almighty God my Saviour and Redeemer in whom and by the merits of Jesus Christ I trust and believe assuredly to be Saved.” He then reflects how his “Soul with my body at a General Day of the Resurrection shall rise again with Joy and through the merits of Christs death.”
His will leaves his wife Martha Bush his Estate both real and personal throughout her life of widowhood. Upon her death the estate is to be equally divided between his children “Margit Jackson, Mary Bush, Francis Bush”. He closes by appointing his wife, Martha, and son in law, Congrave Jackson as executors.[vii]
Figure 28 – John Bush’s last will and testament.
It is around this time that Elizabeth’s two other great grandmothers gave birth to her other 3 grandparents. Stephen Brockman was born to John Brockman and Elizabeth Burrus (see chapter 8), date unknown. Around 1777, Joseph Joel Embree and Millie Burrus welcomed their daughter Mary “Polly” Embree to Orange County Virginia.[viii] A few years later, between 1781 and 1785, they also welcomed Elizabeth Embree.[ix]
The Bush Settlement
The direction of all their lives was about to take a turn thanks to Margaret Bush’s cousin, William (Billy) Bush. Born in Orange County VA to Philip Bush (John Bush Sr.’s brother) and Mary (last name unknown) on 26 June 1746, he was the 10th of their 12 children.[x] He played a key role in the settlement of Kentucky.
In 1774 at the conclusion of “Lord Dunmore’s War”, the Treaty of Camp Charlotte was signed between the Colony of Virginia and the Shawnee chiefs. This treaty opened all lands south of the Ohio River for settlement.[xi] As discussed in Chapter 5, Daniel Boone led 30 axmen to cut the “Wilderness Road”[xii] which ran from the Cumberland Gap into the interior of what is now the State of Kentucky. With Daniel Boone, Billy helped build Fort Boonesborough in 1775.[xiii]
After the fort was established, to stake a claim, Billy started planting crops on the North side of the Kentucky River, in what is now the south of Clark County. On June 26’th 1775 his partner David Glass wrote to Col. William Preston (a surveyor)[1]. “Sir, I am Informed that you Take in Entries of land on ye North side of Cantucky”. “I will Trouble you once More to Ogment your favor to me so fare as to take in ye following Entrys”. “David Glass & William Bush Enters 400 Ackers more or less beginning above their spring….”.[xiv]
Billy remained very active in Kentucky and even was involved in the rescue of Daniel Boone’s daughters who were taken prisoner by 4 Shawnee and 1 Cherokee which is considered the first action of the Revolutionary War in what was then the western frontier.[xv]
Having established himself in Kentucky, Billy came back to Virginia to enlist assistance in creating his own settlement. In 1778 we find him in Orange County where at the age of 32 he married Frances Burrus aged 16. Frances is the daughter of Thomas Burrus and therefore, Millie Burrus’s and Joseph Embree’s sister.[xvi]
In 1779, the Virgina General Assembly passed a law allowing pioneers who were already in Kentucky to claim land. Billy’s approach was to form a coalition which allowed him to purchase 15,000 acres in the location that became the Bush Settlement. Joseph Embree ended up with 1000 of those acres.[xvii] There were a few other familiar names purchasing land including Thomas Burrus, Samuel Brockman Jr.
Figure 29 – Land grant to Samuel Brockman surveyed by Daniel Boone
Joseph Embree and Millie Burrus must have arrived at the Bush Settlement before 1784 which is when we find Joseph as a member of the Providence Baptist Church, which at that time held service mostly in Billy’s cabin.[xviii] In 1788 he became a Deacon.[xix]
In 1795 Congrave Jackson and Billy’s cousin Margaret Bush purchased 100 acres of land from Billy Bush for $50 bringing 4 of Elizabeth’s 6 great grandparents together in the Bush Settlement.[xx]
All together in Kentucky
At this point 3 of Elizabeth’s grandparents are living in Kentucky, likely at the Bush Settlement, they are James Jackson, Mary and Elizabeth Embree. In 1796 James Jackson married Mary “Polly” Embree in Winchester KY which is 8 miles north of the Bush Settlement and the current seat of Clark County.[xxi]
This leaves one missing Grandparent, Stephen Brockman. I don’t know when he arrived, but in 1803 he married his first cousin Elizabeth Embree also in Winchester Kentucky.[xxii] Thanks to the data in the 1850 US census we know that they had their first child, Joseph around 1805. The rest of their children were (in order), Jacob, Midred, Elizabeth, William, Stephen, Emma, Mary Ann (Elizabeth Jackson’s mother), Emily, Gabriel and Attila.[xxiii]
In 1810 we find James and Polly Jackson listed on the Clark County Census with 6 sons under 10 and their daughter Nancy who is between 10-15.[xxiv] I have only been able to find the name of three of their sons, Thomas, Congrave and Caleb (Elizabeth’s father and was not born until 1812), therefore I am missing 4. In 1812, Stephen Brockman and Elizabeth Embree are listed as members of the “Old Friendship Baptist Church” which is on Strode’s Creek just north of Winchester Kentucky.[xxv]
On the 15th of July 1818, Joseph Embree began the process of disposing of his lands and assets. He is ordering that all the “negroes” and the Farm to be sold on the first day of October with the proceeds being split between his 8 children and 3 grandchildren in 9 parts, with the 3 grandchildren splitting one of the 9th. He does reserve for himself “two negroes, one called and known by the name of Benjamin a negro man and one negro woman called and known by the name Lucy.” In addition, he reserved for himself “the money I now hold in my possession, which is about one hundred and ninety dollars.” With his son Joseph Embree being a minor, he gifted him an additional 110 pounds which was to be deducted from the estate prior to it being split in 9 parts.[xxvi] I don’t know when he passed, and given that his wife, Millie is not in the will she likely passed prior to the creation of it.
In 1820, Congrave Jackson passed. Also written in 1818, his will reads “Calling to mind the Mortality of this Body and through Certainty of death whin it shall please god to call me hence do make ordain and deliver this to be my last will”. He goes on to give “to my Son James Jackson one horse and saddle & c, which he has Recd” He lists Margaret as his wife and wills her the balance of his estate for use during her natural life. After her death the estate to be sold and split evenly among his children. She passed in the same year.
Figure 30 – Congrave and Margaret Jackson’s gravestone
Into Missouri
On the 28th of March 1824, Stephen and Elizabeth (Embree) Brockman sold 111.5 acres to John Rawling and “Mildred his wife” from Howard County Missouri. In the deed it states that their Mother Mildred (Burrus) Embree was deceased and therefore this property (the 1/9th part) has been properly inherited by them.[xxvii] This would be the last we see of Stephen and Elizabeth in Kentucky.
Sometime between that land sale and 1830 Stephen, Elizabeth, 7 of their children and 7 slaves came to Randolph County Missouri.[2][xxviii] It is here that they became some of the original members of the Renick Union Church as part of the Methodist congregation (it also served a Baptist Congregation). Other members included a Thomas and E.D.J. Brockman, I am not sure if they are a brother or cousin.[xxix]
James Jackson had already arrived in Howard County Missouri (borders Randolph County to the south) prior to 1824.[xxx] On the 18th of December 1834, his son, Caleb Jackson married his first cousin Mary Ann Brockman in Howard County.[xxxi] While marrying a first cousin was not uncommon at that time, it did bring with it known genetic risks. It is impossible to say if this was the cause of the tragedy and turmoil they would experience in the future. However, before this would happen, they would experience some happiness whey in 1836 they would have their first child and my 3rd great-grandmother, Elzabeth Jackson.[xxxii]
Figure 31- Caleb Jackson and Maryann Brockman’s marriage certificate
Before Elizabeth was born, Caleb and Maryann had to deal with the loss of their father, Stephen Brockman who died prior to November 1832. It is near this date that Charles McLean appeared in Randolph County Court as the administrator for the estate of Stephen Brockman. In this court session he reported that there is no Widow, indicating the death of Elizabeth (Embree) Brockman as well.[xxxiii] Unfortunately there were some issues in executing the estate as in 1837, Charles had to report that “distribution of the estate cannot now be made for the reason that the heirs have not accounted for advanced made to them in the lifetime of the said Stephen Brockman.”. Because of this the court ordered a citation be directed to the Sheriff of Ray County requiring him to summon Joseph E. Brockman, John Emberson (husband of Betsy Brockman) and Willis Brockman to the county of Howard. They also order Willis Brockman, Stephen Brockman; C. Jackson (husband to Mary Ann Brockman) and Thos Kimbrough to appear at court. A few notes, Thomas Kimbrough is the guardian of Emily, Gabrila and Attilla Brockman. You may also note that Willis Brockman is listed twice, one of them must be Willis Randall who married Mildred Brockman. This leaves one heir unaccounted for, making one to wonder if Emma had passed.[xxxiv]
Finally in 1838 we get a (mostly) final settlement. The estate was valued at $1409.08 and those that did not take an advance on that estate received $141.40. However, the shares for Willis and Jacob Brockman were withheld until “they account for advancements”. It is not clear when/if this was ever resolved.[xxxv]
On the 10th of April 1847, the Boon’s Lick Times announced the passing of “Mrs. Mary, consort of James Jackson, Sr.” She was 70. [xxxvi] 5 years later, in 1852, James Jackson passed.[xxxvii]
Figure 32- Passing of Mary Jackson (Embree) Boon’s Lick Times, Sat Apr 10, 1847, pg. 3
This leaves us with Caleb Jackson, Mary Ann Brockman and their family living in Chariton Missouri in 1850 where Caleb ran a farm and with Mary Ann raised 8 children, Elizabeth, Isabella, Lucy, Andrew, Mary, Louisa, Luella and Paulina Jackson. They were not done and would, in the 1850s, have 4 more children, Congrave, Caleb, Olivia and William. At some point, also in the 1850s they moved to Richmond Missouri in Ray County where Caleb remained a farmer.
On the 3rd of January 1854 in Ray County, Elizabeth Jackson married James Jackson.[xxxviii] Despite sharing last names it does not appear that James and Elizabeth were closely related. However, a different link exists here as James’s mother is Susannah Hudgens, the daughter of Daniel Hudgens. Susannah, who married John Jackson in Lincoln County Kentucky was the sister of Martha “Patsy” Hudgens who married Daniel Logan’s father, William (see chapter 6 for more details). Therefore, one can conclude that Elizabeth Jackson and Daniel Logan knew each other through her husband, Daniels first cousin, James Jackson.
James was a farmer, in Camden, MO and it is here that he and Elizabeth had 3 children, Lafayette (Fee), Josaphine and Elizabeth (Elisa).[xxxix] In 1860 we find both Elizabeth with her husband James and her parents on the US Federal Census in Camden. Caleb remains in Richmond in Ray County Missouri and has 14 people in his household including a 17-year-old male slave.[xl]
Interlude – Are We Related to Confederate General, Stonewall Jackson
In 1985, my grandfather John Logan wrote “I remember my grandfather Thomas Jackson Logan telling me that he was born in Kentucky and that Thomas Jonathan Jackson (“Stonewall”), General CSA was his great uncle.” In 1996 he conducted further research using “The Genealogical Compendium of the Jackson and Allied Families.” Through this research, he was able to rule out any direct connection. This left the possibility of being related through an in-law, either Morrison, Junkin, or a child of Polly Berkheimer. She had two illegitimate children with General Jackson’s father Jonathan Jackson.
In my research I have been unsuccessful in finding a Morrison, Junkin, Berkheimer or Jackson that could link up to General Jackson or his father. Furthermore, in the very early 1800s Jonathan and his son Thomas were living in West Virginia and Virginia. I have not found a possible uncle or great uncle of Thomas Jackson Logan who lived in WV or VA.
I see two possibilities. First Caleb Jackson had a brother by the name of Thomas Jackson who like the rest of his family came to Howard County, MO from Clark County, KY. He was Caleb’s great uncle. Further, he was alive until 1886, so Thomas J Logan may have met him. The second option is that a child of Polly Berkheimer marrying a sibling of Caleb’s. However, that would make General Jackson’s father, Jonathan Jackson, Thomas J Logan’s great, great uncle. This would not be a biological connection. Perhaps that led him to conclude that General “Stonewall” Jackson was his great uncle.
In conclusion, I do not believe that General “Stonewall” Jackson was a biological uncle to Thomas J Logan. I cannot completely rule out the connection to Jonathan Jackson.
Family Tragedy
As discussed in chapter 7, Elizabeth’s husband, James Jackson, passed away in February 1862. Shortly thereafter, she married Daniel Logan and had 5 children including my 2nd great-grandfather, Thomas Jackson Logan. Daniel Logan passed away on the 11th of March 1882. It is around this time that, her daughter, Carrie, moved in with her Grandparents, Caleb Jackson and Mary Ann (Brockman) Jackson. As these events occurred, the stage was being set for what would become a sad ending to my story of the Jacksons.
It started in the 1860s, when Andrew Jackson began to suffer from Mental Illness. This may have been hereditary as his mother, Mary Ann (Brockman) Jackson and two of her uncles also struggled with mental illness.[xli] Also, at an unknown date in the 1860s, Caleb and Mary Ann lost their son Caleb.
In 1876 Mary Ann (Brockman) Jackson came down with “Milk Leg”, which is defined as a “painful swelling of the leg after giving birth caused by thrombophlebitis in the femoral vein”.[xlii] Then in 1879, Caleb and Mary Ann lost their daughter Paulina Jackson.
By 1880 Caleb Jackson became disabled, and Mary Ann contracted “Scrofula” which is the swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck due to a bacterial infection. Their sons, William and Andrew, are now listed as farmers. Their daughter Louisa is living with them as were several grandchildren.[xliii]
In August of 1884, in large part due to suffering from her Milk Leg, Mary Ann (Brockman) Jackson was admitted to the “State Lunatic #2” in Saint Joseph Missouri. This would be the first of many admissions by Mary Ann and her children. In fact, less than 1 year later, Mary Ann was admitted for a second time. Still in 1884, Caleb and Mary Ann’s son Congrave was also admitted to an asylum, though it is not known which one.[xliv]
In April 1889, both Mary Ann and her son Andrew were admitted. This was Andrew’s first admission, and it was due to Chronic Mania. In his notes it claims that he had become unsafe to be at large and that “his mother and brothers are insane”. For Mary Ann, this was her third and final admission. She was here due to a court order based on testimony from her husband, Caleb Jackson. The notes read that she has not been well since her first admission. She is now very violent, bad tempered and delusional. Furthermore, she has tried to take her life. In July of 1889. Later that same year, Andrew was discharged as he has “improved”.
It is in 1892 when things start going from bad to worse. As reported by a local news article (source unnamed):
Figure 33 -Andrew and William Jackson News Article, source unknown
This was likely big news as this incident was widely reported (see fig. 33). They all agreed that Andrew’s action was in defense of his father.
Regarding William, this was not the first time he was the cause of trouble. In Daniel Logan’s bible there is a letter that William Jackson, wrote from jail, (see image 32 bottom.) It is not known what William did, or where he was incarcerated. The letter reads as follows (spelling errors corrected):
I wish you all the luck in the world __ and happiness. As long as your __ it hasn’t been much pleasure that I have seen for some time but I hope this will not be the case always. I try to let nothing trouble me more than I can help. I have a __ quarters and plenty to eat and doing very well. Except I don’t like to be in prison. I don’t feel that I have done anything for them to put me in prison and keep me here for I have a clear conscience and I expect to remain here until they release me. Cousin tell Mother that I am well and hearty and hope to remain so. I should like to see my wife and all the rest of you very much but I can’t at present. I hope to hear from you as soon as you receive this (letter?) __ bad spelling and writing?. My __ to you and __ and family and the bet of my friends? Hoping to hear from you all ?
From your obedient Cousin W. R. Jackson
Figure 34 – A sad ending to Caleb and Mary Ann
On the 14th of January, by court order, Andrew was admitted to the “State Lunatic Asylum of the State of Missouri.”:
To the Superintendent of the State Lunatic Asylum of the State of Missouri. At the county court of Ray County Missouri, on the 13th day of Jan[uar]y 1892, the following proceedings were had viz: And, now, it appearing to the Court that Andrew Jackson is an insane person and a citizen of Ray County, Missouri, and it further appearing that the said Andrew Jackson is without sufficient means to [defray?] the necessary expense [incurred?] to attending a Lunatic Asylum, Now therefore it is considered ordered and adjudged that the clerk of this Court transmit a certified copy of this order to the Superintendent of the Insane Asylum number two at Saint Joseph Missouri, accompanied by the request that the said Andrew Jackson be admitted at said Asylum as a patient at the expense of Ray County. To the Superintendent of the State Lunatic Asylum of the State of Missouri. At the county court of Ray County Missouri, on the 13th day of Jan[uar]y 1892, the following proceedings were had viz: And, now, it appearing to the Court that Andrew Jackson is an insane person and a citizen of Ray County, Missouri, and it further appearing that the said Andrew Jackson is without sufficient means to defray? the necessary expense incident? to attending a Lunatic Asylum, Now therefore it is considered ordered and adjudged that the clerk of this Court transmit a certified copy of this order to the Superintendent of the Insane Asylum number two at Saint Joseph Missouri, accompanied by the request that the said Andrew Jackson be admitted at said Asylum as a patient at the expense of Ray County.
Certified Copy of Order of the Court – Provided to Sean Logan by the Records Department of Missouri Department of Mental Health
Upon admission the facility diagnosed him with Mania. They further declared that “he has no appreciate of the enormity of his crime.” His stay was a difficult one where it was noted he would get into fights, and at one point, suffered a fracture (though it is not clear if it is from a fall or a fight).
On the 11th of May 1892, at 3am Andrew died in the facility from an undiagnosed illness. Two months later his sister, Luella Jackson died. In October of that same year my 3rd great-grandmother, Elizabeth Jackson, died of unknown causes. Finally, rounding out a terrible year for the Jacksons, my 4th great-grandmother, Mary Ann (Brockman) Jackson died at the age of 75 as a patient of the “State Lunatic Asylum #2”. She was the mother of 12 children, 4 sons and 1 daughter. All but 4 of her children pre-deceased her.
Caleb Jackson, aged 81 would live for 7 more years, passing away in December 1899 at the age of 88. Their last remaining son, Congrave Jackson was admitted to the same asylum in January of 1910 for Manic Depression. He died in that facility in 1919. Three daughters survived them, they are Mary, Olivia and Louisa Jackson.
Figure 35- Caleb Jackson 1912 – 1899
[1] This is a direct quote so spelling may seem strange
[2] It is also possible that they purchased the slave in Missouri.
[ix] 1830 United States Federal Census, Randolph Co, Missouri, where Stephen Brockman’s household had a female between the age of 40 and 49. Also factor in – Kentucky, US County Marriage Record, 1783, 1965: Madison County Courthouse, Richmond KY; where she was married in 1803. Based on this 1781 – 1785 is a likely guess
[x] Captain Billy Bush and Bush Settlement Clark County, Kentucky A family History by Harry G Enoch pg. 4
[xxxix] Year: 1860; Census Place: Camden, Ray, Missouri; Roll: M653_643; Page: 48; Family History Library Film: 803643
[xl] Year: 1860; Census Place: Richmond, Ray, Missouri; Roll: M653_643; Page: 293; Family History Library Film: 803643; The National Archives in Washington DC; Washington DC, USA; Eighth Census of the United States 1860; Series Number: M653; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29
[xli] Doctor’s notes from the “State Lunatic Asylum #2” in Saint Joseph Missouri, held by Sean Logan.
[xliv] Admission form from the “State Lunatic Asylum for Congrave Jackson, 14 Jan 1910, held by Sean Logan. It indicated a prior admission in a different facility, though did not name it.
Becoming Us 