JOSEPH JACKSON (21) is the oldest known Jackson ancestor of the authors of this manuscript.  According to “Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia,” “Joseph Jackson was born about 1830,” (obviously a typo for 1730) and that he was born “probably in Bedford County, Virginia, parentage unknown.”  It continues by stating:  “He was related, to some degree, to Jarvis Jackson of Bedford County, Virginia (Q. V.), but, just how, is unknown.”  According to “Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia,” Joseph Jackson married a woman who “was named Sarah, but her maiden name is unknown.”  According to Dorothy Brannen, Joseph Jackson married Anne Jarvis.

Just prior to the publication of this book, the authors received excerpts from the book, “Joseph Jackson (1705 - 1774) of Bedford and Goochland Counties, Virginia and Descendants,” by Lyle Keith Williams which was published in December of 1991 (now out of print).  The Jackson line included in this book is amazingly similar to the author’s Jackson ancestry presented by many Olliff descendants.  Several Olliff descendants have stated that John Shears Olliff married Johannah Jackson, daughter of Joseph Jackson (this connection of Johannah Olliff to Joseph Jackson is well established via probate records and deeds).  Both Dorothy Brannen and Camilla (Akins) Lanier further stated that Joseph Jackson married “Ann Jarvis.”  It is unknown to the source of this information but the book by Lyle Williams states that his Joseph Jackson (born 1705) married Ann Jarvis.  This book discounts previous versions of his Jackson heritage that which has a John Jackson (born 1692) who married a Miss Jarvis.  “Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia” state that Joseph Jackson was born in 1830 (obviously a typo for 1730) and that his son, Jarvis Jackson, was born in 1758.  D. A. R. records suggest that Johannah Jackson was born in 1755.  This suggests that the Joseph Jackson (born 1705) would be a generation earlier than that the author’s Joseph Jackson (born 1730).  The Williams book also states that his Joseph Jackson died around 1774 and it is known that the author’s Joseph Jackson died around 1805.

The Williams book shows five known children of Joseph Jackson (born 1705) and Ann (Jarvis) Jackson:  Jarvis Jackson (1728 - 1802), Joseph Jackson (born 1735), John Jackson (born 1739), Ann Jackson (born 1740) and Hannah Jackson (born 1742).  It would have fit neatly to have the Joseph Jackson (born 1735) be the same Joseph Jackson (born 1730) that is the ancestor of the authors.  Unfortunately, Joseph Jackson (born 1730) is shown in the Williams book to have married on August 27, 1760 to Susannah Carter in Goochland County, Virginia.  Joseph and Susannah had one known son:  William Jackson (born January 4, 1765).  It further states that Joseph Jackson (born 1735) died in Kentucky.  Perhaps the strongest connection of these two lines shown in “Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia” where Jarvis Jackson (1726 - 1802) matches the Jarvis Jackson (1728 - 1802) in the Williams book.  The “Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia” show that Jarvis Jackson had a daughter, Lucy Jackson, who married Stephen Eubanks.  This book has the following excerpt:  “GGM 3:159, Camden County, Georgia Deed Book F, p. 295.  Stephen Eubanks of Camden County to Jarvis Deal, of Jackson County, Georgia.  Power of Attorney dated April 27, 1805, to receive his (Eubank’s) part of the estate of Jarvis Jackson, deceased, of Virginia, coming to him in the right of his wife, Lucy, a daughter of the deceased.”  Therefore, Jarvis Jackson (of Bedford County, Virginia) had a daughter that was living in the same county (and same time frame) where the author’s ancestor, Joseph Jackson, was believed to have resided.

There is evidence that the author’s ancestor, Joseph Jackson (born 1730), may have served in the Revolutionary War.  The book, “Georgia’s Roster of the Revolution,” contains a “certificate of James Jackson, Colonel, stating that Joseph Jackson was Georgia soldier of the Continental Line, eligible for 500 acres.”  Another book, “The Revolutionary Records of the State of Georgia,” shows that “Joseph Jackson received a grant for 400 acres of land in Wilkes Co., signed by the governor of Georgia in council in Savannah, 15 December 1784.”  Unfortunately, establishing that these two references are for the author’s ancestor, Joseph Jackson (born 1730), was beyond the scope of this book.  For those wishing to establish a Revolutionary War veteran as an ancestor, the service of Joseph Jackson should be researched to same level of John Shears Olliff.

On February 6, 1783, “a petition from Joseph Jackson was read before the House (Legislature) and was referred to committee.”  In August of 1783, an entry in the House Journal shows “Petition No. 126 of Joseph Jackson setting forth his having been plundered by a party in a Boat, commanded by Whitney and Quality, belonging to Mr. Richard Leake of Savannah, praying for relief.  Postponed and referred to court of law.”  Again, it appears that these two references are probably the author’s ancestor, Joseph Jackson (born 1730), but this connection is not well documented.

According to the 1805 probate records, Joseph Jackson’s heirs sold land that was granted to Joseph Jackson on October 3, 1785.  The probate records state:  “Heirs of Joseph Jackson, Screven County, sold their property granted the said Jackson, Oct. 3, 1785 . . . Date 1805, Book A, Page 393, Clerks Office Screven County, Ga.”  According to “Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia,” this land was “in Effingham County, Georgia, October 13, 1785, so it is assumed that he moved to Georgia prior to that date.  He probably lived in that part of Effingham County that was cut into Screven County.”  Since Screven County was created out of Effingham County and Burke County in 1793, it is probable that the land was originally granted in Effingham County (when part of that county in 1785) and was sold in Screven County (when part of that county in 1805).  The book, “Annals of Georgia,” state that Joseph Jackson purchased land in Effingham County, Georgia in 1785:  “William Shepard, planter, to Joseph Jackson, blacksmith, both of Eff. Co.  Deed dated Dec. 19, 1785, for 100 acres on Colson’s branch, on the north side of Great Ogeechee.  Wit. Benj. Lanier, J. P., Daniel Bonnell, J. P.”

According to C. S. Miller, Joseph Jackson held political office as a “state legislator” from 1786 to 1789.  The political service is also documented in a December 11, 1788 article in “The Georgia Gazette” which states:  “Joseph Jackson is named as one of 10 members of the Assembly for Effingham County.”  According to C. S. Miller, Joseph Jackson’s political career continued as “Effingham’s representative to Georgia’s 1789 Constitutional Convention.”  In 1790, it appears that Joseph Jackson was a Justice of the Peace as the “Annals of Georgia” states:  “Matthew Jones, planter, to William Rushing, planter, both of Effingham Co.  Deed dated Dec. 7. 1790 for 100 acres adjoining lands of grantee.  Witnesses:  Joseph Jackson, J. P., Benjamin Lanier, J. P.”  In 1791, Joseph again signs as a witness with the annotation of Justice of the Peace as the “Annals of Georgia” states:  “Jos. Jackson, J. P. is a witness to the deed of the sale of land from John Rushing of Ebenezer to William Rushing of Eff. Co.  Deed dated April 22, 1791.”  In 1791, Joseph Jackson apparently served on a jury as an August 11, 1791 article in “The Georgia Gazette” states:  “The Presentments of the Grand Jury for the County of Effingham, August 8, 1791 is printed and Joseph Jackson is named as a member of the Jury.”

In 1792, Joseph Jackson purchased more land in Effingham County as the “Annals of Georgia” states:  “Thomas Lane, Sheriff Eff. Co. and Stephen Ford, Admr. of Isaac Ford, to Joseph Jackson.  Deed dated Sept. 1, 1792, for 36 acres being part of a tract granted Isaac Ford lying on Colson’s branch, now known as Jackson’s branch and adjoining grantee.  Witnesses:  Michael Dickson, James Caswell, Josiah Jackson.”  In 1792, Joseph Jackson was again shown as a Justice of the Peace in Effingham County as the “Annals of Georgia” states:  “Thomas Lane, Sheriff Eff. Co. and Stephen Ford, Admr. of Isaac Ford, to Michael Dickson.  Deed dated September 3, 1792, for 100 acres being part of 300 acres granted Isaac Ford, lying on Jackson’s branch.  Witnesses: Joseph Jackson, J. P., James Caswell, Josiah Jackson.

In 1793, Screven County was created out of Effingham and Burke Counties and it it appears that Joseph Jackson resided in what became Screven County.  On July 21, 1794, a Screven County, Georgia deed shows that “Michael Dickson, Planter, sold to Joseph Jackson, Blacksmith, for 51 pounds sterling, 154 acres on Ogeechee.”  “Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia” show that Joseph Jackson purchased more land in 1798 when he “bought 140 acres in Screven County.  Again, his occupation was listed as a Blacksmith.”  It further states that “he made a deed of gift to his children for 913 acres of land in Screven County, October 19, 1799.  See Deed Book ‘A’, p. 212.”  It continues:  “By December 4, 1802, he moved to Camden County where he sold 166 acres in Screven County to James Caswell as a resident of Camden County.”  “Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia” mentions that “Mr. Jackson was on a voting list in Camden County October 3, 1803.  He was defeated in a race for State Representative in that election.”  It appears that Joseph Jackson participated in the 1805 Georgia Land Lottery.  Joseph Jackson was shown as a “Camden County Registrant, 1805 Georgia Land Lottery.”

There appears to be a conflict in two records in 1805 and 1806.  “Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia” shows that “he was excused from Jury Duty March 3, 1806, being over 60 years of age.”  This implies that Joseph was obviously still alive in 1806.  However, probate records abstracted by Dorothy Brannen state that Joseph’s heirs were selling land that they inherited in 1805.  Obviously there must be two different men named Joseph Jackson and therefore the jury duty must be a different man or the dates of one of these abstracts would have to be in error.

Children of Joseph Jackson were listed in the 1805 probate records of Joseph Jackson.  These probate records state:  “Heirs were:  Jarvis and Mary Jackson of Screven County;  Evan Harvey of Baldwin County and Johannah Olliff of Bulloch County.”  “Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia” states that the children of Joseph Jackson “were named in the deed of gift” (previously mentioned that was recorded in 1799).  It states that Joseph Jackson “made a deed of gift to his children for 913 acres of land in Screven County, October 19, 1799.  See Deed Book ‘A’, p. 212.”  According to this deed of gift and the 1805 probate records, Joseph Jackson was the father of six children:

  Joannah Jackson (21.1), b. 1755
  Jarvis Jackson (21.2), b. 1758
  Mary Jackson (21.3), b. 1779, Georgia
  Ursula Jackson
  Joel Jackson (21.5)
  Josiah Jackson

Joseph Jackson died around 1805 as his probate records that were recorded in 1805 state that he had died.  He either died in Camden County, Georgia (where he voted in 1803) or in Screven County, Georgia where his probate records were recorded in 1805.  “Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia” indicate that the deed of gift establishes that Joseph Jackson had a daughter named “Johannah Jackson” who married “John Shears Olliff.”  The 1805 probate records confirm that an heir was “Johannah Olliff of Bulloch County.”  John Shears Olliff is the oldest proven Olliff ancestor of the authors.  For additional information on their descendants, see the sketch of John Shears Olliff (1).

The 1799 deed of gift strongly suggests that Joseph Jackson had a daughter named “Ursala Jackson.”  According to probate records of Joseph Jackson, Evan Harvey of Baldwin County, Georgia was a heir of Joseph Jackson.  On November 28, 1800, Ursala (Jackson) Harvey sold her share of the deed of gift to her brothers, Josiah Jackson and Joel Jackson.  A deed states: “I, Ursala Harvey, wife of Evan Harvey of Hancock County, relinquish my right of dower and deliver unto Josiah Jackson and Joel Jackson the aforesaid tract and mill.”

Josiah Jackson was living in Effingham County, Georgia in 1792 when he witnessed two deeds in that county.  The 1799 deed of gift strongly suggests that Joseph Jackson had a son named “Josiah Jackson.”  In 1800, Josiah Jackson and his brother, Joel Jackson, obtained their sister’s share in the land that were given to them by their father, Joseph Jackson.

References:  1)  Political Office as state legislator, 1786 - 1789, (contained in query by C. S. Miller, The Georgia Genealogical Magazine, Winter, 1972);  2)  Probate Records of Joseph Jackson, Screven County, Georgia, Book A, Page 398, 1805 (abstract by Dorothy Brannen);  3)  “The Georgia Gazette,” December 11, 1788, Page 3, Column 2 and August 11, 1791, Page 2, Column 1 (abstract by Nita Morgan Williams);  4)  “The Revolutionary Records of the State of Georgia,” by Allen D. Candler, 1908, Volume 2, Page 760 (400 acre grant); Volume 3, Page 259 (petition from Joseph Jackson); Volume 3, Page 259 (another petition from Joseph Jackson for injuries sustained in a boat) (abstracts by C. S. Miller);  5)  “Georgia’s Roster of the Revolution,” by Lucian Lamar Knight, 1920, pages 104 and 384 (abstract by C. S. Miller);  6)  “Annals of Georgia,” (Effingham County, Georgia Records), by Caroline Price Wilson, Volume 2, Pages 39, 167, 192, 197 and 368 (abstract by Nita Morgan Williams);  7)  Deed, Michael Dickson to Joseph Jackson, Deed Book A, Page 11, Screven County, Georgia, 154 acres, 1794 (abstract by C. S. Miller);  8)  1805 Georgia Land Lottery (abstract by C. S. Miller);  9)  Marriage of Joseph Jackson and Anne Jarvis (abstract by Dorothy Brannen);  10)  “The Georgia Genealogical Magazine,” Winter, 1972, Page 84 (query by C. S. Miller);  11)  “Brooks Family History,” by Bernice (Brooks) Casey and Robert Brooks Casey, 1982;  12)  “Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia,” Volume VIII, by Folks Huxford, Page 176 (copy from Frances (Olliff) Frobos);  13)  Query for Ann Jarvis, wife of Joseph Jackson, Sr., (query by Mrs. Winifred Jacob, Jacksoniana, A Jackson Family Newsletter), October, 1980, Page 2;  14)  “Joseph Jackson (1705 - 1774) of Bedford and Goochland Counties, Virginia and Descendants,” by Lyle Keith Williams, 1991

JARVIS JACKSON (21.2) is the son of Joseph Jackson and Anne (Jarvis) Jackson.  The 1799 deed of gift strongly suggests that Joseph Jackson had a son named “Jarvis Jackson.”  “Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia” state that Jarvis was born in 1758.  Jarvis Jackson may have served in the Revolutionary War.  The book, “Georgia’s Roster of the Revolution,” enumerates “Jervis Jackson under men who received bounty warrants for Revolutionary Service.”  This book further shows “Jarvis Jackson under The Harvey List compiled by Miss Margaret B. Harvey for the D. A. R. and published in 1900.”

“Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia” shows that Jarvis Jackson married Catherine Hodges on March 14, 1792 in Effingham County, Georgia.  The “Annals of Georgia” confirm this Effingham County, Georgia marriage:  “Jackson, Jarvis to Catherine Hodges, March 14, 1792.”  “Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia” also state that Catherine was born in 1762 and is the “daughter of Joshua Hodges, Sr. (Revolutionary Soldier) and his wife, Ann Raiford.”  By 1798, Jarvis Jackson was living in Bulloch County, Georgia where he witnessed a deed.  Jarvis Jackson witnessed a deed conveying land from James Williams, Screven County and Joshua Hodges, Sr., Bulloch County.  Jarvis signed as a Justice of the Peace.  This indenture was signed on June 25, 1798 and recorded on December 29, 1800.  In 1801, Jarvis again witnessed another Bulloch County, Georgia deed between David McCall and Clement Lanier.  Jarvis again signed this indenture as Justice of Peace on August 8, 1801 and it was recorded on October 31, 1801.

In 1801, Jarvis Jackson was an administrator for the estate of his brother-in-law, John Olliff.  Probate records of John Olliff state:  “John Olliff, deceased estate, Jarvis Jackson Admr. and Johannah Olliff Admx. . . Date 1805, Book A, Page 393.  Clerks Office Screven County, Ga.”  Around 1801, Jarvis Jackson and his siblings received $1,200 for 913 acres of land in Screven County, Georgia that they had inherited from their father, Joseph Jackson.  On November 12, 1803, Jarvis was commissioned as the Coroner of Bulloch County, Georgia.  On November 13, 1804, Jarvis Jackson was first commissioned as a Justice of the Inferior Court of Bulloch County, Georgia.  In 1804, Jarvis Jackson and Catherine Jackson witnessed another Bulloch County, Georgia deed between William Fletcher and Joshua Hodges, Jr.  Jarvis signed this deed of gift on March 24, 1804 and was recorded on June 14, 1804.  In 1804, Jarvis Jackson purchased forty acres of land from Robert McCall of Screven County.  This land was bounded on all sides by the Ogeechee River, known by name of McCall’s Island.  This deed was signed on November 26, 1804 and was recorded on April 13, 1805.  On October 12, 1804, Jarvis Jackson, Adm’r, and Joannah Olliff, Adm’x, ran an advertisement in “The Georgia Republican and State Intelligencer” newspaper advertising the future sale of “the sixth undivided part of a tract or parcel of land, containing about 900 acres lying in Screven County, on the road leading from Savannah to Louisville known by the name of Jackson’s Mill.”  Jarvis Jackson witnessed another deed where William Fletcher sold land to Joshua Hodges.  Jarvis signed as Justice of the Inferior Court on a deed that was signed on September 20, 1805 and was recorded on October 15, 1805.  Also in 1805, Jarvis Jackson witnessed another deed where Joshua Hodges sold two slaves to William Fletcher.  Jarvis again signed as Justice of the Inferior Court on a deed that was signed on September 20, 1805 and was recorded on January 23, 1806.

In 1805, Jarvis Jackson was selling land that he inherited from his father, Joseph Jackson.  Probate records of Joseph Jackson state:  “Heirs of Joseph Jackson, Screven County, sold their property granted the said Jackson, Oct. 3, 1785.  Jackson heirs were:  Jarvis and Mary Jackson of Screven County.”  This legal document also establishes that Jarvis Jackson married a woman whose first name is Mary or that Jarvis had a sister named Mary.  In 1807, Jarvis Jackson purchased 680 acres from several people.  On August 23, 1809, Jarvis Jackson was commissioned as a Tax Collector of Bulloch County, Georgia.  “Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia” indicate that Jarvis Jackson “took the 1810 census in Bulloch County.”

In 1811, Jarvis Jackson signed as a witness where his nephew accepted apprenticeship with William Williams.  This agreement was signed by:  Joseph Olliff, Johannah Olliff, Jarvis Jackson and William Williams."  In 1812, Jarvis “was a Justice of the Inferior Court” in Bulloch County.  On December 6, 1813, Jarvis Jackson sold land to William Stanford.  In 1814, Jarvis Jackson petitioned the Georgia legislature so that his sister’s children could sell headright land that they had acquired.  This petition states:  “In 1814, Jarvis Jackson, uncle of the children, petitioned the Georgia legislature for the power to sell this land for the children for the purpose of dispersing the proceeds to them.”

Probate records of Jarvis Jackson indicate that Jarvis Jackson died in the spring of 1815.  These probate records state:  “Jarvis Jackson died in the spring of 1815.  His nephew, Benjamine Olliff and his sister, Johanna Jackson Olliff (Benjamine’s mother) were present at the sale of his property in August 1815.”  In 1816, Catherine Jackson, administrix for Jarvis Jackson, deceased, sold 187 1/2 acres of land for $158.  This deed was signed on December 6, 1816 and was recorded on February 6, 1817.

References:  1)  Marriage of Jarvis Jackson to Catherine Hodges, 1792, (abstract in Annals of Georgia, Volume II, Page 68);  2)  Deed Book A, Page 38, James Williams to Joshua Hodges, Sr., Bulloch County, Georgia, witnessed by Jarvis Jackson, signed June 25, 1798 and recorded December 29, 1800 (abstract in Bulloch County Records by Alvaretta Register);  3)  Deed Book A, Page 398, Screven County, Georgia, Jarvis Jackson and Joanah Oliff of Bulloch County, Joel Jackson and Mary Jackson of Screven County and Evan Harvey of Baldwin County to John Burnell, 913 acres, for $1,200;  4)  Deed Book A, Page 50, David and Frances McCall to Joseph Lewis, Bulloch County, Georgia, witnessed by Jarvis Jackson, signed August 8, 1801 and recorded October 31, 1801 (abstract in Bulloch County Records by Alvaretta Register);  5)  Probate Records of John Olliff, December 2, 1801 (abstract by Dorothy Brannen);  6)  Commission for the Justices of the Inferior Court, Bulloch County, Georgia, 1802 (list in Life of Old Bulloch by Dorothy Brannen);  7)  Commission for the Coroner, Bulloch County, Georgia (list in Life of Old Bulloch by Dorothy Brannen);  8)  Deed Book A, Page 81, William Fletcher to Joshua and Rebecca Hodges, Bulloch County, Georgia, witnessed by Jarvis Jackson and Catherine Jackson, signed March 24, 1804 and recorded June 14, 1804 (abstract in Bulloch County Records by Alvaretta Register);  9)  Newspaper Notice, “The Georgia Republican and State Intelligencer,” October 12, 1804;  10)  Deed Book A, Page 90, Robert McCall to Jarvis Jackson, Bulloch County, Georgia, witnessed by Hardy Richardson and Benjamin Richardson, signed November 26, 1804 and recorded April 13, 1805 (abstract in Bulloch County Records by Alvaretta Register);  11)  Deed Book A, Pages 99 and 100, William Fletcher to Joshua Hodges, Bulloch County, Georgia, witnessed by Jarvis Jackson, signed September 20, 1805 and recorded October 15, 1805 (abstract in Bulloch County Records by Alvaretta Register);  12)  Deed Book A, Page 106, Joshua Hodges to William Fletcher, Bulloch County, Georgia, witnessed by Jarvis Jackson, signed September 20, 1805 and recorded January 23, 1806 (abstract in Bulloch County Records by Alvaretta Register);  13)  Commission for Tax Collector of Bulloch County, Georgia, 1809 (list in Life of Old Bulloch by Dorothy Brannen);  14)  Probate Records of Joseph Jackson, Screven County, Georgia, Book A, Page 398, 1805 (abstract by Dorothy Brannen);  15)  Apprenticeship agreement, Joseph Olliff accepted aprrenticeship with William Williams, September 9, 1811, Bulloch County, Georgia (abstract by Dorothy Brannen);  16)  Deed Book AAA (1814 to 1818), Page 283, Deed from Jarvis Jackson to William Stanford (abstract in Georgia Genealogical Magazine);  17)  Petition to Georgia legislature to sell headright property, 1814 (abstract in History of the Olliff Family, by Martin T. Olliff, Jr.);  18)  Deed Book AAA (1814 to 1818), Page 333, Deed from Catherine Jackson, Admrx of Jarvis Jackson, decd, sold to Joshua Hodges, 187 1/2 acres, (abstract in Georgia Genealogical Magazine);  19)  Probate Records of Jarvis Jackson, Spring of 1815 (abstract in History of the Olliff Family, by Martin T. Olliff, Jr.);  20)  “Georgia’s Roster of the Revolution,” by Lucian Lamar Knight, Pages 398 and 419, 1920 (abstract from C. S. Miller);  21)  “Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia,” Volume VIII, by Folks Huxford, Page 176 (copy from Frances (Olliff) Frobos)

MARY JACKSON (21.3) is the daughter of Joseph Jackson.  Mary was born around 1779 in Georgia.  The 1799 deed of gift strongly suggests that Joseph Jackson had a daughter named “Mary Jackson.”  There is some evidence that Joseph’s daughter, Mary Jackson, may have married Jordan Brooks, a direct ancestor of the authors.  It is definitely known that Jordan Brooks did indeed marry a “Mary Jackson” on September 21, 1810 in Putnam County, Georgia as a marriage license was recorded in Putnam County.  In a 1946 manuscript on the Brooks family, it shows that Jordan Brooks’ “second wife was Mary Jackson (a sister to Joel Jackson).”  It further states that Jordan Brooks and his first wife, Mary Cruse, had a daughter, Sarah Brooks, who married Joel Jackson.  On May 1, 1811, a deed from Jordan Brooks to James Reese, Sr. clearly indicates that Jordan’s first wife had died and was buried in Putnam County, Georgia.  Jordan transferred title of 202 1/2 acres “except (for) twelve feet square in the Garden, containing the grave of the late Mrs. Jordan Brooks.”  His first wife, “Mary Brooks,” had witnessed a deed in 1807 in Edgefield County, South Carolina which means that his first wife, Mary (Cruse) Brooks, died between 1807 and 1811 in Putnam County, Georgia.  Therefore, legal documents support the account presented in Myrtle (Lackey) Ashley’s manuscript of Jordan’s second marriage to Mary Jackson.

In 1820, “Jourdan Brooks” was living in Wilkinson County, Georgia and nearby was Joel Jackson who it is believed married Jordan’s daughter, Sarah Brooks.  This census indicates that Jordan was born prior to 1775 and what appears to be his second wife, Mary (Jackson) Brooks, was born between 1775 and 1794.  In 1830, Jordan Brooks was living in Upson County, Georgia.  This census indicates that Jordan was born between 1760 and 1770 and what appears to be his wife was born between 1770 and 1780.  Jordan Brooks died around 1839 when his will was proven in court in Talbot County, Georgia.  In 1840, “Mary Brooks” was living in Talbot County, Georgia.  This census indicates that Mary was born between 1770 and 1780.  In 1850, “Mary Brooks” was listed with her son, Francis Brooks, in Marion County, Georgia.  This census shows that Mary was born in 1780 in Georgia.  It appears that Mary Brooks may have been listed twice in the 1850 census.  In 1850, “Mary Brooks” was listed with her daughter, Susan (Brooks) Turner, in Talbot County, Georgia.  This census shows that Mary was born in 1779 in Georgia.

The estimated age of Mary (Jackson) Brooks when compared with the ages of her siblings and parents, suggest that some dates are probably in error.  Mary’s birthdate of 1779 supports the case that John Shears Olliff and his wife, Johannah (Jackson) Olliff, could have been born later as suspected by the authors.  This in turn suggests that the author’s ancestor, Joseph Jackson, may have been born much later than the current estimate of 1730.

The authors of this book have previously published a 382 page book on “Brooks Family History” which is dedicated to descendants of Jordan Brooks.  This book contains over 4,500 persons listed in the index.  Only six pages of this book contain descendants of Jordan Brooks and his second wife, Mary (Jackson) Brooks, with the remainder of the book dedicated to descendants of Jordan Brooks and his first wife, Mary (Cruse) Brooks.  However, since the publication of the book, many additional descendants of Jordan Brooks and his second wife, Mary (Jackson) Brooks, have been documented.

According to “Brooks Family History” by Myrtle (Lackey) Ashley which is supported by Jordan’s probate records and various census records, Jordan Brooks and Mary (Jackson) Brooks were the parents of probably six children:

  One Daughter, b. 1811 - 1815, Georgia
  Francis Asberry Brooks, b. 1815, Georgia
  Susan J. Brooks, b. 1816, Georgia
  Helen Brooks, b. 1819, Georgia
  Roseany Brooks, b. 1820 - 1825, Georgia
  John Wesley Brooks, b. February 4, 1822, Georgia

As stated previously, six pages of the book, “Brooks Family History,” by Bernice (Brooks) Casey and Robert Brooks Casey, cover the approximately fifty descendants of Jordan Brooks and Mary (Jackson) Brooks that were known in 1982.  Since that time, around 400 descendants of John Wesley Brooks have been compiled and almost 100 descendants of Francis Asberry Brooks have been compiled.  Only ten descendants of Roseany (Brooks) Turner are currently known.  Because the connection of Mary Jackson to Joseph Jackson is not well established, these descendants are not included in this book.  Additionally, the descendants of Jordan Brooks and Mary (Jackson) Brooks are clearly established descendants of Jordan Brooks and more appropriately belong in a future edition of the “Brooks Family History” if ever published.  These descendants as well as descendants of Williamson Brooks and Susannah (Olliff) Brooks might be published on CDROM discs in the next year or two.

References:  1)  Deed, Screven County, Georgia, Joseph Jackson to Jarvis Jackson, Joanah Oliff, Ursula Jackson, Joel Jackson, Mary Jackson, Josiah Jackson, 913 acres, Deed Book A, Page 212, October 19, 1799;  2)  Probate Records of Joseph Jackson, Screven County, Georgia, Book A, Page 398, 1805 (abstract by Dorothy Brannen);  3)  Deed, Edgefield County, South Carolina, Jordan and Mary Brooks to Caleb Calloway, 132 acres, Deed Volume 29, Page 431, January 10, 1807;  4)  Marriage License, Jordan Brooks to Mary Jackson, Putnam County, Georgia, September 21, 1810;  5)  Deed, Jordan and Mary Brooks to James Reese, Sr., 202 1/2 acres, Putnam County, Georgia, May 1, 1811;  6)  1820 Census, Wilkinson County, Georgia;  7)  Will, Jordan Brooks, Talbot County, Georgia, written October 5, 1835, proven April 1, 1839;  8)  1850 Census, Talbot County, Georgia;  9)  1850 Census, Marion County, Georgia;  10)  “Brooks Family History,” by Myrtle (Lackey) Ashley, 1944;  11)  “Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia,” Volume VIII, by Folks Huxford, Page 176 (copy from Frances (Olliff) Frobos);  12)  “Brooks Family History,” by Bernice (Brooks) Casey and Robert Brooks Casey, 1982

JOEL JACKSON (21.5) is the son of Joseph Jackson.  The 1799 deed of gift strongly suggests that Joseph Jackson had a son named “Joel Jackson.”  It appears that Joel Jackson may have married Sarah Brooks, daughter of Jordan Brooks and Mary (Cruse) Brooks.  Jordan and Mary Brooks are both direct ancestors of the authors.  Sarah is the only known daughter or son of Jordan Brooks who is not listed in Jordan’s will which was written in 1835.  However, censuses indicate that Jordan Brooks and Mary (Cruse) Brooks had other daughters (born 1784 to 1800) and the 1946 manuscript on the Brooks family clearly shows that Jordan Brooks had a daughter named Sarah who married Joel Jackson.  Because Sarah married in 1808, it is believed that she was born between 1784 and 1790 in either Virginia or South Carolina.  “Early Records of Putnam County, Georgia” confirm that Sarah Brooks married Joel Jackson on March 24, 1808 in Putnam County, Georgia.  According to the 1946 manuscript on the Brooks family, Joel and Sarah Jackson were the parents of at least six children:

  Carter Jackson
  Andrew Jackson
  Jasper Jackson
  Newton Jackson
  Joel Jackson, Jr.
  William Jackson

In 1820, a Joel Jackson is enumerated in the census of Wilkinson County, Georgia appearing near Jordan Brooks, father of Williamson Brooks who married Susanna Olliff.  Joel (born prior to 1775) is listed with another male (born prior to 1775), his wife (born 1794 to 1804), one son (born 1804 to 1810) and two sons and one daughter (born 1810 to 1820).  According to “Franklin County, Georgia Records,” a Joel Jackson participated in the 1820 Land Lottery and was listed as a “fortunate drawer,” receiving Lot Number 260, District Number 27 in Early County, Georgia.  It appears that Joel Jackson also participated in the 1821 Land Lottery of Georgia.  This lottery shows that “Joel Jackson was living in the Brooks Militia District, Wilkinson County, fortunate drawer of land in Dooly and Houston Counties.”  In 1830, a Joel Jackson is listed in the Franklin County, Georgia census.  Joel (born 1780 to 1790) is listed with his wife (born 1800 to 1810), one daughter (born 1815 to 1820), one son and one daughter (born 1820 to 1825) and one son and one daughter (born 1825 to 1830).

There was also a Joel H. Jackson who married Unity Whitehurst.  Unity was mentioned as the wife of Joel Jackson in the 1826 will of her father, Lanfair Whitehurst.  This Joel Jackson died prior to January 17, 1827 when his property was inventoried.  Unity Jackson, Andrew P. Jackson, Mary Jane Jackson and Joseph Jackson received payments from Joel Jackson’s estate.

References:  1)  Deed, Screven County, Georgia, Joseph Jackson to Jarvis Jackson, Joanah Oliff, Ursula Jackson, Joel Jackson, Mary Jackson, Josiah Jackson, 913 acres, Deed Book A, Page 212, October 19, 1799;  2)  1820 Census, Wilkinson County, Georgia;  3)  1830 Census, Franklin County, Georgia;  4)  “Brooks Family History,” by Myrtle (Lackey) Ashley, 1946;  5)  “Early Records of Putnam County, Georgia, 1807 - 1860,” by E. F. Hull;  6)  “Franklin County, Georgia Records,” by Frances Wynd;  7)  “Wilkinson County, Georgia Historical Collections,” by Joseph T. Maddox;  8)  Will of Lanfair Whitehurst, Wilkinson County, Georgia, probated 1827;  9)  Talbot County, Georgia Court Records;  10)  “The Georgia Genealogical Magazine,” Winter, 1972, Page 84 (query by C. S. Miller);  11)  “Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia,” Volume VIII, by Folks Huxford, Page 176 (copy from Frances (Olliff) Frobos);  12)  “The Fourth or 1821 Land Lottery of Georgia,” by Silas Emmett Lucas, 1986

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Bernice (Brooks) Casey and her son, Robert Brooks Casey, are the authors of this book and “Brooks Family History” that was published in 1982.  Robert Casey and his father, Harold Casey, have also published two books, “Casey Family History” in 1980 and “Shelton, Wininger and Pace Families” in 1988.  Harold Casey was a very active member in the Stillwater Genealogical Society serving as President for many years.  Robert Casey is active in the Genealogy Special Interest Group (SIG) of the Central Texas Personal Computer Users Group and is currently serving as one of the SIG leaders of this group.

Bernice was born on May 1, 1919 near Elk City, Oklahoma and is the daughter of Robert Wesley Brooks (1.5.7.5) and Julia Ann (Bryan) Brooks.  Bernice received a degree in Home Economics from Oklahoma State University in 1942.  On December 31, 1941, Bernice Brooks married Harold Casey in Elk City, Oklahoma.  Harold was born on March 9, 1915 near Stigler, Oklahoma and is the son of Louis Bertie Casey and Florence Larue (Shelton) Casey.  Harold received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Education from Oklahoma State University in 1941.  Harold later received a Master of Science degree in 1955 and a Doctorate of Education in 1961, both from Oklahoma State University.  Harold was employed by the Oklahoma State Universtiy Extension Service for over twenty-five years, his last position being Director of Personnel of Extension Service (for the state of Oklahoma).  The last year of his career, he was an Associate Professor of Agriculture at Oklahoma State University.  Bernice has been a homemaker for most of her life and has been active in several charitable organizations.  Harold and Bernice Casey had three sons:  Patrick Jon Casey, b. July 5, 1943, Elk City, Oklahoma,  David Myron Casey, b. September 13, 1947, Guthrie, Oklahoma,  Robert Brooks Casey, b. May 25, 1951, Guthrie, Oklahoma.  Harold Casey died on January 8, 1991 in Stillwater, Oklahoma.  Their sons, Pat and David Casey, are attorneys in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Robert Brooks Casey was born on May 25, 1951 in Guthrie, Oklahoma and is the son of Harold Casey and Bernice (Brooks) Casey.  Robert received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Oklahoma State University in 1973.  In 1974, he received a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley.  Robert has worked for International Business Machines (IBM) for over eighteen years.  His first seven years was designing and developing word processing systems for IBM in Austin, Texas.  Since 1981, he has held various marketing positions in Dallas, Texas and Austin, Texas.  On March 2, 1985, Robert Casey married Diane Marie Thede in Dallas, Texas.  Diane was born on August 7, 1957 in Battle Creek, Michigan and is the daughter of Kenneth Alfred Thede and Eleanor June (Santelman) Thede.  Diane received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Texas Christian University in 1980 and worked seven years in the advertising business.  Robert and Diane Casey have two sons:  Jordan Brooks Casey, b. May 20, 1987, Dallas, Texas,  Bryan William Casey, b. May 26, 1989, Dallas, Texas.