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As history and involuntary chattel enslavement would have it, Elizabeth Scott was not Robert Scott's biological child. In fact, Elizabeth Scott's biological father, President [[Thomas Jefferson]]'s grandson, [[Thomas Jefferson Randolph]]. According to her descendants, Elizabeth Scott was born in the [[Monticello]].<ref> Monticello: Getting Word. "Marion Elizabeth Carter: SHE WAS FRIGHTENED ALL THE TIME - Dr. Marion Elizabeth Carter continues the story of her ancestor Elizabeth Scott." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/marion-elizabeth-carter </ref> [[Thomas Jefferson Randolph]] later sold his enslaved daughter to the wealthy Garrett family of [[Charlottesville, Virginia]].<ref> Monticello: Getting Word. "Nancy Colbert Scott." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/nancy-colbert-scott </ref> Though Elizabeth Scott became a "companion" to the Garretts' daughter, the Garrett patriarch, who was notorious cruel and harsh, hated and mistreated Elizabeth Scott. Despondent, Elizabeth Scott escaped from the Garretts' captivity. After the Garretts' captured her, the Garrett's patriarch transported Elizabeth Scott to a slave auction in [[Richmond, Virginia]], selling her to [[Charlottesville, Virginia]] resident Dr. William Cox, who found Elizabeth particularly attractive.<ref> Monticello: Getting Word. "Marion Elizabeth Carter: SHE WAS FRIGHTENED ALL THE TIME - Dr. Marion Elizabeth Carter continues the story of her ancestor Elizabeth Scott." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/marion-elizabeth-carter </ref> Dr. Cox moved Elizabeth Scott next door to his own family in a separate home, rendering Elizabeth an involuntary mistress and mother of their offspring: Nannie Cox Jackson, James Rinaldo Cox (December 10, 1854 - March 28, 1917), Tom Cox, Charlie Cox and William Cox.<ref> Monticello: Getting Word. "Marion Elizabeth Carter: SHE WAS FRIGHTENED ALL THE TIME - Dr. Marion Elizabeth Carter continues the story of her ancestor Elizabeth Scott." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/marion-elizabeth-carter </ref><ref> Monticello: Getting Word. "Nancy Colbert Scott." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/nancy-colbert-scott </ref><ref> Geni. https://www.geni.com/people/William-Cox/6000000001375691475 </ref> Dr. William Cox had six other children with his lawful wife Mary Elizabeth Lacy Cox (1808–1893), rendering these children Jackson's half-brothers and sisters: Eugene Montraville Cox (1833–1885), Lucian Napoleon Cox (1835–1862), Adelaide Panthea Cox Comer (1836–1899), Almira Josephine Cox (1840–1927), Azell Donop Cox (1842–1913), and Leroy Wesley Cox (1845–1938). According to her descendants, Dr. Cox would send children Leroy Wesley and Azell Donop to spy on his involuntary mistress' children to ensure that they were behaving.<ref> Monticello: Getting Word. "Marion Elizabeth Carter: SHE WAS FRIGHTENED ALL THE TIME - Dr. Marion Elizabeth Carter continues the story of her ancestor Elizabeth Scott." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/marion-elizabeth-carter </ref>
As history and involuntary chattel enslavement would have it, Elizabeth Scott was not Robert Scott's biological child. In fact, Elizabeth Scott's biological father, President [[Thomas Jefferson]]'s grandson, [[Thomas Jefferson Randolph]]. According to her descendants, Elizabeth Scott was born in the [[Monticello]].<ref> Monticello: Getting Word. "Marion Elizabeth Carter: SHE WAS FRIGHTENED ALL THE TIME - Dr. Marion Elizabeth Carter continues the story of her ancestor Elizabeth Scott." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/marion-elizabeth-carter </ref> [[Thomas Jefferson Randolph]] later sold his enslaved daughter to the wealthy Garrett family of [[Charlottesville, Virginia]].<ref> Monticello: Getting Word. "Nancy Colbert Scott." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/nancy-colbert-scott </ref> Though Elizabeth Scott became a "companion" to the Garretts' daughter, the Garrett patriarch, who was notorious cruel and harsh, hated and mistreated Elizabeth Scott. Despondent, Elizabeth Scott escaped from the Garretts' captivity. After the Garretts' captured her, the Garrett's patriarch transported Elizabeth Scott to a slave auction in [[Richmond, Virginia]], selling her to [[Charlottesville, Virginia]] resident Dr. William Cox, who found Elizabeth particularly attractive.<ref> Monticello: Getting Word. "Marion Elizabeth Carter: SHE WAS FRIGHTENED ALL THE TIME - Dr. Marion Elizabeth Carter continues the story of her ancestor Elizabeth Scott." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/marion-elizabeth-carter </ref> Dr. Cox moved Elizabeth Scott next door to his own family in a separate home, rendering Elizabeth an involuntary mistress and mother of their offspring: Nannie Cox Jackson, James Rinaldo Cox (December 10, 1854 - March 28, 1917), Tom Cox, Charlie Cox and William Cox.<ref> Monticello: Getting Word. "Marion Elizabeth Carter: SHE WAS FRIGHTENED ALL THE TIME - Dr. Marion Elizabeth Carter continues the story of her ancestor Elizabeth Scott." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/marion-elizabeth-carter </ref><ref> Monticello: Getting Word. "Nancy Colbert Scott." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/nancy-colbert-scott </ref><ref> Geni. https://www.geni.com/people/William-Cox/6000000001375691475 </ref> Dr. William Cox had six other children with his lawful wife Mary Elizabeth Lacy Cox (1808–1893), rendering these children Jackson's half-brothers and sisters: Eugene Montraville Cox (1833–1885), Lucian Napoleon Cox (1835–1862), Adelaide Panthea Cox Comer (1836–1899), Almira Josephine Cox (1840–1927), Azell Donop Cox (1842–1913), and Leroy Wesley Cox (1845–1938). According to her descendants, Dr. Cox would send children Leroy Wesley and Azell Donop to spy on his involuntary mistress' children to ensure that they were behaving.<ref> Monticello: Getting Word. "Marion Elizabeth Carter: SHE WAS FRIGHTENED ALL THE TIME - Dr. Marion Elizabeth Carter continues the story of her ancestor Elizabeth Scott." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/marion-elizabeth-carter </ref>


Jackson was married to William Edward Jackson (May 22, 1857 - May 29, 1922).<ref> Geni. "Nannie Cox Jackson." https://www.geni.com/people/Nannie-Cox-Jackson/6000000001375708339 </ref> They had five children: W. E. Jackson, Charles Leland Jackson, Helen Elizabeth Jackson, Nannie Gladys Duncan, and Marion Louise Carter.
Jackson was married to William Edward Jackson (May 22, 1857 - May 29, 1922).<ref> Geni. "Nannie Cox Jackson." https://www.geni.com/people/Nannie-Cox-Jackson/6000000001375708339 </ref> They had five children: W. E. Jackson, Charles Leland Jackson, Helen Elizabeth Jackson, Nannie Gladys Duncan, and Marion Louise Carter. Son W.E, Jackson operated Jackson Advertising, one of two African American advertising companies in the 1940s and 1950s. The Jackson Family were considered one of Charlottesville's preeminent African American middle families, known as the "Four Hundreds Club." Charlottesville locals believed that after African Americans were emanicipated in 1865, several Afgrican American families made a pact to obtain education, own businesses or obtain well-paying teaching and school administration jobs, and buy land. Each plot of land generally costed $400, hence the ""Four Hundreds Club."<ref> The Reflector. "The "Four Hundreds Club." http://www2.vcdh.virginia.edu/afam/reflector/fourhundreds.html </ref> In addition to the Jackson family, the "Four Hundreds Club" included the Coles, Bells, Tonslers, and Inges families.<ref> The Reflector. "The "Four Hundreds Club." http://www2.vcdh.virginia.edu/afam/reflector/fourhundreds.html </ref>


Though not common at the time, Jackson attended the [[University of Virginia]] to learn Home Economics, under the guise that she would train African Americans to serve as future maids.<ref> Monticello. Getting Word. "FAR BEYOND HER TIME." Dr. Marion Elizabeth Carter recalls the accomplishments of her grandmother (and Nancy Colbert Scott's granddaughter) Nannie Cox Jackson." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/marion-elizabeth-carter </ref> Instead, Jackson would take her training to empower her students to live independently, self-sufficiently and with stability.<ref> Monticello. Getting Word. "FAR BEYOND HER TIME." Dr. Marion Elizabeth Carter recalls the accomplishments of her grandmother (and Nancy Colbert Scott's granddaughter) Nannie Cox Jackson." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/marion-elizabeth-carter </ref>
Though not common at the time, Jackson attended the [[University of Virginia]] to learn Home Economics, under the guise that she would train African Americans to serve as future maids.<ref> Monticello. Getting Word. "FAR BEYOND HER TIME." Dr. Marion Elizabeth Carter recalls the accomplishments of her grandmother (and Nancy Colbert Scott's granddaughter) Nannie Cox Jackson." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/marion-elizabeth-carter </ref> Instead, Jackson would take her training to empower her students to live independently, self-sufficiently and with stability.<ref> Monticello. Getting Word. "FAR BEYOND HER TIME." Dr. Marion Elizabeth Carter recalls the accomplishments of her grandmother (and Nancy Colbert Scott's granddaughter) Nannie Cox Jackson." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/marion-elizabeth-carter </ref>

Revision as of 19:20, 28 July 2021

Nannie Cox Jackson (February 26, 1865 - September 19, 1953) ​was a prominent African American educator, wealthy property owner and businesswoman in Charlottesville, Virginia.[1][2][3] She is notable for being the owner of the first African American billboard company in the United States.[4]

Early Life, Family

Jackson was born on February 26, 1865 in Charlottesville, Virginia.[5] She was the daughter of Elizabeth Scott (February 19, 1824 - July 15, 1916) and Elizabeth's married enslaver, Dr. William Cox (October 29, 1808 - April 15, 1875).[6] Elizabeth Scott's mother, Nancy Colbert Scott (1810–1864), was the likely daughter of Thomas Jefferson's butler, Burwell Colbert and Critta Hemings. After Thomas Jefferson's death in 1826, the Jefferson had substantial financial debts previously incurred by Jefferson. Jefferson’s favorite grandson and executor of his estate, Thomas Jefferson Randolph, sold Nancy Colbert Scott to Alexander Garrett, Albemarle County clerk. In 1842, Garrett sold Nancy Colbert Scott to her eventual "husband", Robert Scott, whom she had nine children.[7]

As history and involuntary chattel enslavement would have it, Elizabeth Scott was not Robert Scott's biological child. In fact, Elizabeth Scott's biological father, President Thomas Jefferson's grandson, Thomas Jefferson Randolph. According to her descendants, Elizabeth Scott was born in the Monticello.[8] Thomas Jefferson Randolph later sold his enslaved daughter to the wealthy Garrett family of Charlottesville, Virginia.[9] Though Elizabeth Scott became a "companion" to the Garretts' daughter, the Garrett patriarch, who was notorious cruel and harsh, hated and mistreated Elizabeth Scott. Despondent, Elizabeth Scott escaped from the Garretts' captivity. After the Garretts' captured her, the Garrett's patriarch transported Elizabeth Scott to a slave auction in Richmond, Virginia, selling her to Charlottesville, Virginia resident Dr. William Cox, who found Elizabeth particularly attractive.[10] Dr. Cox moved Elizabeth Scott next door to his own family in a separate home, rendering Elizabeth an involuntary mistress and mother of their offspring: Nannie Cox Jackson, James Rinaldo Cox (December 10, 1854 - March 28, 1917), Tom Cox, Charlie Cox and William Cox.[11][12][13] Dr. William Cox had six other children with his lawful wife Mary Elizabeth Lacy Cox (1808–1893), rendering these children Jackson's half-brothers and sisters: Eugene Montraville Cox (1833–1885), Lucian Napoleon Cox (1835–1862), Adelaide Panthea Cox Comer (1836–1899), Almira Josephine Cox (1840–1927), Azell Donop Cox (1842–1913), and Leroy Wesley Cox (1845–1938). According to her descendants, Dr. Cox would send children Leroy Wesley and Azell Donop to spy on his involuntary mistress' children to ensure that they were behaving.[14]

Jackson was married to William Edward Jackson (May 22, 1857 - May 29, 1922).[15] They had five children: W. E. Jackson, Charles Leland Jackson, Helen Elizabeth Jackson, Nannie Gladys Duncan, and Marion Louise Carter. Son W.E, Jackson operated Jackson Advertising, one of two African American advertising companies in the 1940s and 1950s. The Jackson Family were considered one of Charlottesville's preeminent African American middle families, known as the "Four Hundreds Club." Charlottesville locals believed that after African Americans were emanicipated in 1865, several Afgrican American families made a pact to obtain education, own businesses or obtain well-paying teaching and school administration jobs, and buy land. Each plot of land generally costed $400, hence the ""Four Hundreds Club."[16] In addition to the Jackson family, the "Four Hundreds Club" included the Coles, Bells, Tonslers, and Inges families.[17]

Though not common at the time, Jackson attended the University of Virginia to learn Home Economics, under the guise that she would train African Americans to serve as future maids.[18] Instead, Jackson would take her training to empower her students to live independently, self-sufficiently and with stability.[19]

She also received her education in Washington, DC.

Education Career

Jackson served as a teacher at Charlottesville, Virginia's all-African American school during racial segregation, the Jefferson School..[20] [21] During her tenure there, she taught Industrial Work, and a separate boys and girls Domestic Science class, a coed cooking and sewing class.[22][23][24] Jackson also organized and subsidized school's lunch program, though the Charlottesville School Board approved it but did not co-finance it.[25] ​Organizer of the Jefferson School's first ever football team, Jackson was well-known for recruiting the football coach, and feeding the school's football players and coaches after each game.[26]

After 46 years in education, Jackson retired in 1939.[27]

Business Career

A shrewd real estate investor, Jackson owned the first African American-ran billboard company in the United States. As one of Charlottesville, Virginia's largest property owners, Jackson owned close to 40 percent of the land in the predominately African American neighborhood, Vinegar Hill. She regularly rented to other African Americans at reasonable rates.[28]

Death, Net Worth

Jackson passed away on September 19, 1953 in Charlottesville, Virginia at the age of 88. She was interred at Oakwood Cemetery in Charlottesville, Virginia. At the time of her death, Jackson's estate was worth well over $1,000,000.[29]

Legacy

The City of Charlottesville School Board named its Jackson-Via Elementary School in honor of Jackson and Betty Davis Via, a prominent white Charlottesville teacher and administrator[30]


https://americanroads.net/crt_fall2017.htm

  1. ^ Urban Renewal and the End of Black Culture in Charlottesville, Virginia: An Oral History of Vinegar Hill by James Robert Saunders and Renae Nadine Shackelford
  2. ^ ​Pride Overcomes Prejudice: A History of Charlottesville’s African American School edited by Dr. Andrea N. Douglas.
  3. ^ MAPPING CVILLE. "Black Land, Black Schools & Eminent Domain." JANUARY 19, 2021. https://mappingcville.com/2021/01/19/black-land-black-schools-eminent-domain/
  4. ^ Correcting the Narrative. "Why name a school for Nannie Cox Jackson?" December 3, 2019. http://correctingthenarrative.org/posts/nannie-cox-jackson/
  5. ^ Heritage Trails: African Americans in Charlottesville - Albemarle. "Nannie Cox Jackson 1864 - 1953 Teacher." http://community.village.virginia.edu/heritage_trail/node/56
  6. ^ Geni. https://www.geni.com/people/William-Cox/6000000001375691475
  7. ^ Monticello: Getting Word. "Nancy Colbert Scott." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/nancy-colbert-scott
  8. ^ Monticello: Getting Word. "Marion Elizabeth Carter: SHE WAS FRIGHTENED ALL THE TIME - Dr. Marion Elizabeth Carter continues the story of her ancestor Elizabeth Scott." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/marion-elizabeth-carter
  9. ^ Monticello: Getting Word. "Nancy Colbert Scott." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/nancy-colbert-scott
  10. ^ Monticello: Getting Word. "Marion Elizabeth Carter: SHE WAS FRIGHTENED ALL THE TIME - Dr. Marion Elizabeth Carter continues the story of her ancestor Elizabeth Scott." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/marion-elizabeth-carter
  11. ^ Monticello: Getting Word. "Marion Elizabeth Carter: SHE WAS FRIGHTENED ALL THE TIME - Dr. Marion Elizabeth Carter continues the story of her ancestor Elizabeth Scott." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/marion-elizabeth-carter
  12. ^ Monticello: Getting Word. "Nancy Colbert Scott." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/nancy-colbert-scott
  13. ^ Geni. https://www.geni.com/people/William-Cox/6000000001375691475
  14. ^ Monticello: Getting Word. "Marion Elizabeth Carter: SHE WAS FRIGHTENED ALL THE TIME - Dr. Marion Elizabeth Carter continues the story of her ancestor Elizabeth Scott." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/marion-elizabeth-carter
  15. ^ Geni. "Nannie Cox Jackson." https://www.geni.com/people/Nannie-Cox-Jackson/6000000001375708339
  16. ^ The Reflector. "The "Four Hundreds Club." http://www2.vcdh.virginia.edu/afam/reflector/fourhundreds.html
  17. ^ The Reflector. "The "Four Hundreds Club." http://www2.vcdh.virginia.edu/afam/reflector/fourhundreds.html
  18. ^ Monticello. Getting Word. "FAR BEYOND HER TIME." Dr. Marion Elizabeth Carter recalls the accomplishments of her grandmother (and Nancy Colbert Scott's granddaughter) Nannie Cox Jackson." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/marion-elizabeth-carter
  19. ^ Monticello. Getting Word. "FAR BEYOND HER TIME." Dr. Marion Elizabeth Carter recalls the accomplishments of her grandmother (and Nancy Colbert Scott's granddaughter) Nannie Cox Jackson." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/marion-elizabeth-carter
  20. ^ Heritage Trails: African Americans in Charlottesville - Albemarle. "Nannie Cox Jackson 1864 - 1953 Teacher." http://community.village.virginia.edu/heritage_trail/node/56
  21. ^ Correcting the Narrative. "Why name a school for Nannie Cox Jackson?" December 3, 2019. http://correctingthenarrative.org/posts/nannie-cox-jackson/
  22. ^ Heritage Trails: African Americans in Charlottesville - Albemarle. "Nannie Cox Jackson 1864 - 1953 Teacher." http://community.village.virginia.edu/heritage_trail/node/56
  23. ^ Correcting the Narrative. "Why name a school for Nannie Cox Jackson?" December 3, 2019. http://correctingthenarrative.org/posts/nannie-cox-jackson/
  24. ^ AmericanRoads. "Jefferson School." https://americanroads.net/crt_fall2017.htm
  25. ^ Charlottesville NOW. "herstory: a history.: A brief "Herstory" of the Women of Albemarle County, VA." https://cvillenow.avenue.org/herstory.html
  26. ^ Heritage Trails: African Americans in Charlottesville - Albemarle. "Nannie Cox Jackson 1864 - 1953 Teacher." http://community.village.virginia.edu/heritage_trail/node/56
  27. ^ Correcting the Narrative. "Why name a school for Nannie Cox Jackson?" December 3, 2019. http://correctingthenarrative.org/posts/nannie-cox-jackson/
  28. ^ Correcting the Narrative. "Why name a school for Nannie Cox Jackson?" December 3, 2019. http://correctingthenarrative.org/posts/nannie-cox-jackson/
  29. ^ Correcting the Narrative. "Why name a school for Nannie Cox Jackson?" December 3, 2019. http://correctingthenarrative.org/posts/nannie-cox-jackson/
  30. ^ The Charlottesville City Schools. "About Jackson-Via Elementary." http://charlottesvilleschools.org/jackson-via/us/
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