L'histoire de ma famille

The biographical information is derived from A History of The Early Settlement of Newton by Francis Jackson (printed 1854). I’m assuming that for the most part, Francis Jackson knew what he was doing and didn’t completely make things up. That said; please take all information with a grain of salt. I’ll be referencing Francis as FJ.

Historical Info: “Cambridge Village” was a village not too far from Cambridge, MA, and was essentially a part of Cambridge. However, in 1679 Cambridge Village was granted permission to split from Cambridge, and is now known as Newtown aka Newton.

Edward Jackson was born in London, England around 1602, “according to his gravestone”. FJ cited the Parish Register of Whitechapel and of Stepney as sources for saying that Edward’s father was Christopher Jackson, and that his baptism took place on Feb 3 1604. FJ also notes that he was a “nail-maker”. His first wife was Frances, and she died either on the journey to America or soon after they arrived.

Once in America it would seem that he bought land in Cambridge Village in 1643. Then in 1645 he took the Freeman’s oath, which was an oath to protect the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and not overthrow the government. A year later he bought a 500 acre farm in Cambridge. Apparently this plot of land started at the “division line between Newton and Brighton, and extended westward”. He was very active in Cambridge’s public affairs, as he was a Deputy/Representative to the General Court from 1647-1664. In 1649 he married Elizabeth née Newgate (widow of John Oliver).

By the time Edward died he had “sixteen hundred acres of land”, which he had divided among his children. Also he was the first slaveholder in Newton with 2 “man-servants”. FJ makes note of how prolific Edward was; he had ten children in America and over 60 grandkids. He says that 44 of Edward’s “descendants were in the Revolutionary army, from Newton”. The interesting thing is that the Jackson name is so prolific through Edward’s descendants, but only three families (his three sons) carried on his name.