The Legal Legacy of James Elias Jackson

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There are two James Jackson's of Upper Canada and unfortunately for research purposes - both married women named Margaret!

James Jackson, listed as James Elias Jackson on the most of the "family records", was NOT infant baptized with a middle name, and middle names were not the custom of the time and among the Dutch; notice on legal and church records that the supposed middle name is never listed. In this narrative, James will be referred to as James Elias to differentiate him from the other James Jackson.

The other James Jackson, who was a private in the Loyal Rangers, married Margaret Mattice and settled first in Ernestown Township and later in Augusta Township.

Life went along for those who were among the first settlers of Upper Canada and later in his life James Elias Jackson, wrote his will detailing the disbursement of his property at his demise. The will details: "In the name of God, Amen. I James Jackson of the township of Mountain, County of Dundas, being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory, blessed be Almighty God for the same, do make and publish this as my last will and testament in a manner and form following, that is to say, First, I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Margaret Jackson her maintanance [sic] from the farm which I now hold, during her lifetime. I do also give and bequeath unto my Eldest son Samuel Jackson, the East half of Lot 6, 4th Concession situated in the township of Napanee. I do also give and bequeath unto my Second son Elias Jackson the west half of Lot 6, 4th Concession situated in the township of Napanee. I do also give and bequeath unto my third son Thomas Jackson, the west quarter of Lot 8, 4th Concession situated in the township of Mountain. I do also give and bequeath unto my fourth son George Jackson [phrase unreadable] last Hundred acres of Lot 8, 4th Concession situated in the township of Mountain. I do also give and bequeath unto my fifth son James Jackson, the east part of the East hundred acres commencing two rods East of the first frame Barn built on No. 8 - 4th Concession, then in a direct line to front and rear of said No. 8 - 4th Concession situated in the township of Mountain. I do further give and bequeath unto my Sixth son Elisha Jackson, the east half of the west hundred acres of Lot 8, 4th Concession situated in the Township of Mountain. I do also give and bequeath to my seventh son John Jackson the Sum of twenty five pounds to be paid when he comes of age by my sons George Jackson, Thomas Jackson, James Jackson and Elisha Jackson each to pay an equal share of the aforementioned Sum of Money. I do further give and bequeath unto my three Daughters Lavinia, Elizabeth and Dindema [sic] each one milch [sic] cow. I do further give give and bequeath unto my Son Thomas Jackson my bay mare. I do bequeath unto my Son George Jackson my youngest grey mare. I do further give and bequeath to my son James Jackson my eldest grey mare. I also give and bequeath unto my Son Elisha Jackson my eldest yoke of Oxen, and with regard to my farming utensels [sic] I desire that my four sons George Jackson, Thomas Jackson, James Jackson and Elisha jackson shall have an equal right and title to said farming utensels [sic] and they should remain on my farm and lastly I give and bequeath all my stock of young cattle and before mentioned to my four sons George Jackson, Thomas Jackson and Elisha Jackson to be equally divided among them and further all my moveable property within my house I give unto my son George Jackson. And I do hereby appoint as executors of this my last will and testament John White and James [unreadable] of the township of Mountain and William Kay of South Gore and hereby revoking all former wills by me made. In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty third day of July and in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four. Signed James Jackson

Signed, sealed published and declared by the above named James Jackson to be his last will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed and named as witnesses in the presence of the testator. John White, Zina B Hawley, Henry Jackson.