Thomas Jackson Signature

Passionate Abolitionist and
Witness to the American Civil War

THE ENTIRE COLLECTION

Acknowledgments & Thanks

Thomas Jackson sought the help of his English cousins Caleb & William Slater to get his words heard across the miles during the civil war.

Now in order to get his words also heard across the years, Thomas would want us to thank those who contributed their expertise to allow his spirit and his fierce commitment to abolish slavery and to promote freedom to be heard again. In particular

  • Irvin Rathman and his colleagues – Historical Society of Berks County, Irvin took a chaotic collection of photocopies of many of these letters and meticulously transcribed them and thus gave life to this whole project. He has continued to add astonishing depth to our understanding ever since.
  • Neil Scheidt also from Reading who has provided extensive assistance in discovering the genealogy of Thomas Jackson and Caleb Slater and their relatives as well as unearthing important details of his life in Reading.
  • Frank Ward whose encouragement and endless enthusiasm for the project matches that of the Ambassadors.
  • Phil Whiddon, Livewire Web Design for enthusiastic and persistent efforts to do the very best to convey Thomas Jackson’s message through the medium of modern technologies.

In addition, here are just some of the others who gave significant support:

  • Lisa Adams and Kimberly R. Brown of Historical Society of Berks County, Reading PA.
  • George M. Meiser & Gloria Jean Meiser. Authors “The Passing Scene” series of books on the history of Reading and Berks, PA
  • Michael Knight (US National Archives & Records Administration)
  • Marilyn Mundy (US National Archives & Records Administration)
  • Jamison Davis (Virginia Historical Society)
  • Stephen Spears (author)
  • Michelle Krowl, Civil War and Reconstruction Specialist, Manuscripts Division, Library of Congress
  • Jan Swanbeck (Documents Librarian, University of Florida)
  • Joe Aufmuth & Carol McAuliffe (Also librarians, University of Florida)
  • John Huddleston (Collaborator)
  • Kathryn McCaffrey (Collaborator)
  • Judith Comeau (Collaborator)
  • Robert Elliott (long enduring and generous supporter)
  • James Lazarus (constant enthusiast and constant optimist for life)
  • Alexia Fernandez for help in transcribing letters.