Jackson, John Peter, 1805-1861

Lawyer and state legislator, of Newark, Essex County, New Jersey; graduated from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), 1823; admitted to the bar as an attorney, 1827; served in the New Jersey Assembly, 1831-1832, as clerk of Essex County, 1839-ca. 1849, and as vice-president and manager of the New Jersey Railroad.

From the description of Letters received, 1828-1860 (inclusive). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122570692

John P. Jackson, the son of Hester Van der Linde Brinckerhoff (1782-1883) and Peter Jackson (1777-1859), was born on June 8, 1805 in Acquanonck, New Jersey. He was admitted to the bar in 1827 and went into practice with Ashbel W. Corey and later his brother-in-law Amzi Armstrong in Newark, New Jersey. He entered politics in 1831 when he was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly, then reelected the following year, and made Speaker of the House Assembly. In 1839, he was elected the Clerk of Essex County and remained in that position for ten years. He retired from the legal profession when he assumed the Essex County clerkship. During this same time period he became active in the newly formed New Jersey Railroad and Transportation Company. He was elected the company's secretary in 1832, a director in 1836, and the vice president and general superintendent in 1849. The company grew and strengthened under Jackson's leadership, and came to include such lines as the one running between Newark and New York City. Jackson remained with the company until his death in 1861. Jackson was also active in charitable and religious organizations. He was a member of the Essex County Bible Society, the New Jersey Colonization Society, the New Jersey Historical Society, the First Presbyterian Church of Newark, and a founding member of the South Park Presbyterian Church of Newark. He was also a trustee of the New Jersey State Normal School and was appointed by President Millard Fillmore to the Board of Visitors at West Point Military Academy. In 1827, John P. Jackson married Elizabeth Huntington Wolcott, the daughter of Betzy Huntington and the Honorable Frederick Wolcott. The couple had eleven children together.

From the description of John P. Jackson papers, 1821-1887 1830-1860. (New Jersey Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 52262943

Lawyer, politician, railroad magnate, and businessman, of New Jersey; attended Litchfield Law School.

From the description of John P. Jackson letters, 1825-1826. (Litchfield Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 774901972

Lawyer and railroad executive, of Newark, N.J.

From the description of Correspondence, 1828-1860. (Rutgers University). WorldCat record id: 28415905