Passionate Abolitionist and
Witness to the American Civil War
Passionate Abolitionist and
Witness to the American Civil War
This appears to be the last communication we have from Thomas Jackson. He loyally kept writing to his English cousin until the very end. If ever we can locate the associated letter, we will of course post it here.
The last resting place of the author of our collection of letters. In life, it appears as if he was anything but at rest and his passion to see slavery abolished drove him to ceaselessly express his strong opinions to all who would listen (and probably many who would rather not)!
It is worth noting that Thomas’s cousin Caleb Slater (15 years his senior) died on August 13th 1877. Thus Thomas did outlive him by a few months. (The writing on Thomas Jackson Snr’s grave stone was temporarily made more legible by the application of flour.)
All photographs courtesy Neil D Scheidt, Find A Grave Memorials 88684414 and 88684309, Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading PA
Front of envelope addressed in very shaky hand to
Mr. Caleb Slater
Rope maker
Langley Mill
near Eastwood
Nottinghamshire
England
Europe
Two Post Marks
LONG BRAND??
SEP 6 11 AM
N. J.
and
NEW YORK
SEP 7
REVERSE of envelope has 2 post marks
NOTTINGHAM
SP 18. 76
LANGLEY MILL SEP 76
Since this was written in 1876 it could well be the last letter Thomas Jackson wrote to Caleb Slater. Sadly we do no have that letter but seems clear that despite his good intentions, he never did get back to his old English homeland after 1842.
We are reaching the end of our journey. The familiar handwriting appears more shaky but still determined. Thomas Jackson died Died Aug 6, 1878.