Colonel Stephen Jackson (1808-1887)

Stephen Jackson was born February 12, 1808 in Chesterfield District, South Carolina, the son of Henry A. Jackson and Mary Blakeney. He was the grandson of Colonel Stephen Jackson who acquired the nickname "Killing Stephen Jackson" during the Revolutionary War in regards to his exploits during that period. His maternal great grandfather was Captain John Blakeney, a Captain of Militia during the Revolutionary War.

He married Roxanna Timmons (June 28, 1814 through June 7, 1902, daughter of Isaac Timmon and Sarah Davis). They were the parents of seven children: Maximillan Frank Jackson, who married Susannah Burch; Henry Andrew Jackson; Henrietta Francis Jackson , who married William M. Burch; Louisa Jane Blakeney Jackson, who married Isaac S. Huntley; Susanna Jackson, who married Wesley J. Redfearn; Mary C. Jackson, who married Pickett Laney; and William Stephen Jackson.

Stephen Jackson was one of the most influential men of his era in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. Very wealthy, he often signed security bonds for neighbors and was appointed guardian ad litum for many of the areas minor children and legal cases. He was a leader in the Chesterfield County Secession Movement in 1860, and was the speaker who called for a vote on leaving the Union November 19, 1860. He was a delegate from Chesterfield County to the South Carolina Secession meeting in Columbia, South Carolina, and was signer for the Ordinance of Secession.

Tradition states that General Sherman placed a reward for his arrest on him when the Union Army was present in the County in 1865. After the war, Jackson was a member of the State Legislator for ten years, was Sheriff of the County for eight years, and Chairman of the County Commission for ten years. He died November 16, 1887, and was buried in the family cemetery near the North Carolina line. Unfortunately, in recent years, that cemetery was destroyed being plowed under by a local farmer. Those buried there are now remembered by the placement of a granite marker at nearby Elizabeth Baptist Church in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. (found at: Chesterfield County, SC Genealogical Services http://www.pigggenealogy.com/colonel_stephen_jackson.htm)