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Jackson was born on February 26, 1865, in [[Charlottesville, Virginia]].<ref>Heritage Trails: African Americans in Charlottesville - Albemarle. "Nannie Cox Jackson 1864 - 1953 Teacher." http://community.village.virginia.edu/heritage_trail/node/56</ref> 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).<ref>Geni. https://www.geni.com/people/William-Cox/6000000001375691475</ref>
Jackson was born on February 26, 1865, in [[Charlottesville, Virginia]].<ref>Heritage Trails: African Americans in Charlottesville - Albemarle. "Nannie Cox Jackson 1864 - 1953 Teacher." http://community.village.virginia.edu/heritage_trail/node/56</ref> 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).<ref>Geni. https://www.geni.com/people/William-Cox/6000000001375691475</ref>


Elizabeth Scott's mother, Nancy Colbert Scott (1810–1864), was the likely daughter of United States third President [[Thomas Jefferson]]'s enslaved manservant and [[Monticello]] butler, [[Burwell Colbert]] and Critta Hemings, a descendent of President [[Thomas Jefferson]]'s documented involuntary mistress and enslaved African American, [[Sally Hemings]].<ref>Monticello: Getting Word. "Colbert (Hemings) Family." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/families/colbert-hemings-family</ref> After President [[Thomas Jefferson]]'s death in 1826, the Jefferson Estate had substantial financial debts previously incurred by Jefferson extensive expenses and travels to Europe. In a likely effort to liquidate family assets to satisfy debts, Jefferson's favorite grandson and executor of his estate, [[Thomas Jefferson Randolph]], sold Nancy Colbert Scott to [[Alexander Garrett]], [[Albemarle County]] clerk.<ref>Monticello: Getting Word. "Nancy Colbert Scott." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/nancy-colbert-scott</ref> In 1842, Garrett sold Nancy Colbert Scott to her eventual husband, Robert Scott, whom she had nine children.<ref>Monticello: Getting Word. "Nancy Colbert Scott." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/nancy-colbert-scott</ref>
Jackson' maternal grandmother, Nancy Colbert Scott (1810–1864), was Elizabeth Scott's mother and the likely daughter of United States third President [[Thomas Jefferson]]'s enslaved manservant/[[Monticello]] butler, [[Burwell Colbert]] and Critta Hemings Colbert (1783 -1819)<ref> Not to be confused with Critta Hemings Bowles (1769-1850), another Jefferson family enslaved domestic and daughter of Elizabeth Hemings and John Wayles, President Thomas Jefferson's father-in-law. Lived at Monticello from 1775 to 1827. Monticello. Getting Word. "Critta Hemings Bowles." https://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/critta-hemings-bowles </ref>, younger sister of the famed [[Sally Hemings]], President [[Thomas Jefferson]]'s documented involuntary enslaved African American mistress.<ref>Monticello: Getting Word. "Colbert (Hemings) Family." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/families/colbert-hemings-family</ref> After President [[Thomas Jefferson]]'s death in 1826, the Jefferson Estate had substantial financial debts previously incurred by Jefferson extensive expenses and travels to Europe. In a likely effort to liquidate family assets to satisfy debts, Jefferson's favorite grandson and executor of his estate, [[Thomas Jefferson Randolph]], sold Nancy Colbert Scott to [[Alexander Garrett]], [[Albemarle County]] clerk.<ref>Monticello: Getting Word. "Nancy Colbert Scott." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/nancy-colbert-scott</ref> In 1842, Garrett sold Nancy Colbert Scott to her eventual husband, Robert Scott, whom she had nine children.<ref>Monticello: Getting Word. "Nancy Colbert Scott." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/nancy-colbert-scott</ref>


As history would have it, Elizabeth Scott was not Robert Scott's biological child. Elizabeth Scott's biological father turned out to be [[Thomas Jefferson Randolph]] himself. According to her descendants, Elizabeth Scott was born at the historic [[Monticello]] to Nancy Colbert Scott whom [[Thomas Jefferson Randolph]] had impregnated.<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 an entrusted "companion" to a Garrett daughter, the Garrett patriarch, notoriously cruel, despised 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>
As history would have it, Elizabeth Scott was not Robert Scott's biological child. Elizabeth Scott's biological father turned out to be [[Thomas Jefferson Randolph]] himself. According to her descendants, Elizabeth Scott was born at the historic [[Monticello]] to Nancy Colbert Scott whom [[Thomas Jefferson Randolph]] had impregnated.<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 an entrusted "companion" to a Garrett daughter, the Garrett patriarch, notoriously cruel, despised 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>

Revision as of 11:49, 29 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]

In addition to her stellar career as an educator, Jackson is notable for being one of the most substantial African American landowners in Charlottesville, Virginia, as well as owning one of the first African American billboard companies in the United States, Jackson Advertising.[4][5]

Early Life, Family, Education, Thomas Jefferson Genealogy

Jackson was born on February 26, 1865, in Charlottesville, Virginia.[6] 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).[7]

Jackson' maternal grandmother, Nancy Colbert Scott (1810–1864), was Elizabeth Scott's mother and the likely daughter of United States third President Thomas Jefferson's enslaved manservant/Monticello butler, Burwell Colbert and Critta Hemings Colbert (1783 -1819)[8], younger sister of the famed Sally Hemings, President Thomas Jefferson's documented involuntary enslaved African American mistress.[9] After President Thomas Jefferson's death in 1826, the Jefferson Estate had substantial financial debts previously incurred by Jefferson extensive expenses and travels to Europe. In a likely effort to liquidate family assets to satisfy debts, Jefferson's favorite grandson and executor of his estate, Thomas Jefferson Randolph, sold Nancy Colbert Scott to Alexander Garrett, Albemarle County clerk.[10] In 1842, Garrett sold Nancy Colbert Scott to her eventual husband, Robert Scott, whom she had nine children.[11]

As history would have it, Elizabeth Scott was not Robert Scott's biological child. Elizabeth Scott's biological father turned out to be Thomas Jefferson Randolph himself. According to her descendants, Elizabeth Scott was born at the historic Monticello to Nancy Colbert Scott whom Thomas Jefferson Randolph had impregnated.[12] Thomas Jefferson Randolph later sold his enslaved daughter to the wealthy Garrett family of Charlottesville, Virginia.[13] Though Elizabeth Scott became an entrusted "companion" to a Garrett daughter, the Garrett patriarch, notoriously cruel, despised 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.[14]

Dr. Cox relocated Elizabeth Scott next door to his lawful wife, wife Mary Elizabeth Lacy Cox (1808–1893), in a separate home, rendering Elizabeth a next-door neighbor, involuntary mistress and mother of Dr. Cox's second large set of offspring: Nannie Cox Jackson, James Rinaldo Cox (December 10, 1854 - March 28, 1917), Tom Cox, Charlie Cox and William Cox.[15][16][17] Dr. William Cox had six children with his Mary Elizabeth Lacy Cox, 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 Jackson's descendants, Dr. Cox would send children Leroy Wesley and Azell Donop to spy on his involuntary mistress' children to ensure that they were behaving.[18]

Elizabeth Scott lived with daughter Jackson until Scott's death in 1916.

Jackson was married to William Edward Jackson (May 22, 1857 - May 29, 1922), a member of Charlottesville, Virginia's late 1800s/early 1900s' Republican Party.[19][20] W. E. Jackson stayed active with the Republican Party until 1922 when state party Republicans denied W.E. Jackson and other elected African American delegates a seat at the State Republican convention in Luray, Virginia.[21][22]

The Jacksons had five children: W. E. Jackson, Charles Leland Jackson, Helen Elizabeth Jackson, Nannie Gladys Duncan, and Marion Louise Carter. The Jackson Family were considered one of Charlottesville's preeminent African American middle-class families, known as the "Four Hundreds Club." Charlottesville locals believed that after African Americans were emancipated in 1865, several African 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."[23] In addition to the Jackson family, the "Four Hundreds Club" included the Coles, Bells (owner of the J.F. Bell Funeral Home), Tonslers, and Inges families.[24]

The Jackson family lived at 520 Pearl Street in Charlottesville, Virginia's predominantly African American neighborhood, Vinegar Hill (Charlottesville, Virginia). In 1939, white city officials intentionally destroyed the home and numerous other structures (including an African American Episcopal church) to construct the white-only Lane High School.[25]

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.[26] Instead, Jackson would take her training to empower her students to live independently, self-sufficiently and with stability.[27]

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.[28][29] During her tenure there, she taught Industrial Work, and a separate boys and girls Domestic Science class, a coed cooking and sewing class.[30][31][32] Jackson also organized and subsidized school's lunch program, though the Charlottesville School Board approved it but did not co-finance it.[33] ​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.[34]

After 46 years in education, Jackson retired in 1939.[35]

Business career

A shrewd yet compassionate businesswoman, Jackson and her son W.E. “Billpost” Jackson Jr. owned Jackson Poster Advertising, the first African American-ran billboard company in the United States.[36] Operating out of their home at 204 Sixth Street NW in Charlottesville, Virginia, the company began as "Cox Poster Advertising", a company initially owned and operated by Nannie Cox Jackson's brother, James Rinaldo Cox.[37] The company specialized in posting theatrical and national product advertisements on walls and fences.[38] Jackson Jr.'s son, Edward Rinaldo Jackson, expanded the company's advertising to major corporate, local business and charitable outdoor advertising.[39]

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 (Charlottesville, Virginia). She regularly rented to other African Americans at reasonable rates.[40]

Death, Net Worth

Jackson passed away on September 19, 1953, in Charlottesville, Virginia at the age of 88.[41] 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.[42]

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[43]

References

  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. "Starr Hill: W. E. Jackson Family Home & Office 204 Sixth Street NW." http://community.village.virginia.edu/heritage_trail/node/31
  6. ^ Heritage Trails: African Americans in Charlottesville - Albemarle. "Nannie Cox Jackson 1864 - 1953 Teacher." http://community.village.virginia.edu/heritage_trail/node/56
  7. ^ Geni. https://www.geni.com/people/William-Cox/6000000001375691475
  8. ^ Not to be confused with Critta Hemings Bowles (1769-1850), another Jefferson family enslaved domestic and daughter of Elizabeth Hemings and John Wayles, President Thomas Jefferson's father-in-law. Lived at Monticello from 1775 to 1827. Monticello. Getting Word. "Critta Hemings Bowles." https://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/critta-hemings-bowles
  9. ^ Monticello: Getting Word. "Colbert (Hemings) Family." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/families/colbert-hemings-family
  10. ^ Monticello: Getting Word. "Nancy Colbert Scott." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/nancy-colbert-scott
  11. ^ Monticello: Getting Word. "Nancy Colbert Scott." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/nancy-colbert-scott
  12. ^ 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
  13. ^ Monticello: Getting Word. "Nancy Colbert Scott." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/nancy-colbert-scott
  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. ^ 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
  16. ^ Monticello: Getting Word. "Nancy Colbert Scott." https://www.monticello.org/getting-word/people/nancy-colbert-scott
  17. ^ Geni. https://www.geni.com/people/William-Cox/6000000001375691475
  18. ^ 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
  19. ^ Accounts of Meetings: Republican Mass Meeting, Charlottesville, Virginia, April 10, 1896. Odd Fellows Hall. "Object: To elect a Chairman, Secretary, and a Committee for the City of Charlottesville to manage the municipal election which occurs in May 1896: (Several African Americans mentioned.)" http://www2.vcdh.virginia.edu/afam/politics/meeting.html
  20. ^ Geni. "Nannie Cox Jackson." https://www.geni.com/people/Nannie-Cox-Jackson/6000000001375708339
  21. ^ Essay on Sources: African-American Life in Charlottesville, Virginia, 1890-1920." Joshua D. Rothman.
  22. ^ Assorted documents, March–July 1922, Cox-McPherson Papers, Box 1.
  23. ^ The Reflector. "The "Four Hundreds Club." http://www2.vcdh.virginia.edu/afam/reflector/fourhundreds.html
  24. ^ The Reflector. "The "Four Hundreds Club." http://www2.vcdh.virginia.edu/afam/reflector/fourhundreds.html
  25. ^ Heritage Trails. "Starr Hill: W. E. Jackson Family Home & Office 204 Sixth Street NW." http://community.village.virginia.edu/heritage_trail/node/31
  26. ^ 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
  27. ^ 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
  28. ^ Heritage Trails: African Americans in Charlottesville - Albemarle. "Nannie Cox Jackson 1864 - 1953 Teacher." http://community.village.virginia.edu/heritage_trail/node/56
  29. ^ Correcting the Narrative. "Why name a school for Nannie Cox Jackson?" December 3, 2019. http://correctingthenarrative.org/posts/nannie-cox-jackson/
  30. ^ Heritage Trails: African Americans in Charlottesville - Albemarle. "Nannie Cox Jackson 1864 - 1953 Teacher." http://community.village.virginia.edu/heritage_trail/node/56
  31. ^ Correcting the Narrative. "Why name a school for Nannie Cox Jackson?" December 3, 2019. http://correctingthenarrative.org/posts/nannie-cox-jackson/
  32. ^ AmericanRoads. "Jefferson School." https://americanroads.net/crt_fall2017.htm
  33. ^ Charlottesville NOW. "herstory: a history.: A brief "Herstory" of the Women of Albemarle County, VA." https://cvillenow.avenue.org/herstory.html
  34. ^ Heritage Trails: African Americans in Charlottesville - Albemarle. "Nannie Cox Jackson 1864 - 1953 Teacher." http://community.village.virginia.edu/heritage_trail/node/56
  35. ^ Correcting the Narrative. "Why name a school for Nannie Cox Jackson?" December 3, 2019. http://correctingthenarrative.org/posts/nannie-cox-jackson/
  36. ^ Charlottesville, the African-American Community. Agnes Cross-White. 1998. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Charlottesville_the_African_American_Com/zItuPDQoXcAC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=nannie+cox+jackson&pg=PA28&printsec=frontcover
  37. ^ Heritage Trails. "Starr Hill: W. E. Jackson Family Home & Office 204 Sixth Street NW." http://community.village.virginia.edu/heritage_trail/node/31
  38. ^ Heritage Trails. "Starr Hill: W. E. Jackson Family Home & Office 204 Sixth Street NW." http://community.village.virginia.edu/heritage_trail/node/31
  39. ^ Heritage Trails. "Starr Hill: W. E. Jackson Family Home & Office 204 Sixth Street NW." http://community.village.virginia.edu/heritage_trail/node/31
  40. ^ Correcting the Narrative. "Why name a school for Nannie Cox Jackson?" December 3, 2019. http://correctingthenarrative.org/posts/nannie-cox-jackson/
  41. ^ J.F. Bell Funeral Home Records Search Results http://www2.vcdh.virginia.edu/afam/raceandplace/perl_scripts/search_funeral.cgi?start_page=6&last=Jackson
  42. ^ Correcting the Narrative. "Why name a school for Nannie Cox Jackson?" December 3, 2019. http://correctingthenarrative.org/posts/nannie-cox-jackson/
  43. ^ The Charlottesville City Schools. "About Jackson-Via Elementary." http://charlottesvilleschools.org/jackson-via/us/
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