Marilda Ann Jackson Ball 1868-1947

Lillie Mae Jackson, of Brookhaven, recognized this photo of her grandmother, Marilda Ball, who lived in the Caseville area, was born in 1863 and died March 24 1947.

Jackson recalled that the photograph was taken in 1942, because her brother, Mozell Ball, was going off to World War II and wanted a photograph of his grandmother to take with him. Apparently it bought him good luck because he was in Hawaii during the bombing of Pearl Harbor and survived to eventually retire from the military after many years of service.

Marilda had three girls, Luberta, Emma and Adelaide, who was mother to Lillie Mae Jackson. Jackson has three children of her own: Ivy Burt of Brookhaven, Anderson Burt of Milwaukee, Wisc., and Mozel Jackson of Brookhaven who called with these details and was named after his uncle.

From information gathered from census records, Marilda was the daughter of Levi Jackson and Harriet Coleman. She was found in the census records from 1870 through 1940 with the exception of the 1930 census. She married Alex Ball in 1909, Lincoln County, Mississippi.

Here s a picture of Marilda's grandson, Mozell Ball, dressed in his military uniform.

Mozell married my maternal 2nd cousin, Ludora Coleman, daughter of Smylie and Joanna Benson Coleman. Here is a picture of Mozell, Ludora and two of their daughters, Shirley and Jane.

Opportunity To Make A Good Man

Ben Washington found himself in a precarious situation in the fall of 1908. The Chancery Court of Copiah County, Mississippi, labeled him a bastard; his mother died in 1905, leaving him in the care of a man said to be his father, William Washington, who was cruel and abusive.

A pitiful, half naked Ben arrived at the home of Steve Jackson in 1906. Steve and his recent bride, Pearl Shannon, had started their family but were willing to adopt Ben.

Jackson told the court he could give Ben a good home, teach him to work, to be upright, honest, send him to school and see that he had an opportunity to make a good man.

Sixteen years old Ben requested the court change his surname from Washington to Jackson. The adoption and request for surname change was granted by the court, 28th Sep 1908.

In 1910, eight-teen years old Ben Jackson was living in the Jackson household with his adopted parents, siblings, and paternal grandparents.

Ben was a married man in 1920. Apparently he did become a good man. His younger brother Versie Washington was living with Ben and his wife Bettie. According to their World War I Draft Registration Cards, Ben was living on Steve Jackson's place and Versie worked for Steve Jackson.

During this season of thankfulness, I am thankful a good man, Steve Jackson, invested time and resources in the lives of brothers Ben and Versie.

How is Steve Jackson connected to my family?
Steve Jackson's sister, Susan Jackson, married Pedro Demyers.
Pedro Demyers was the son of John T Demyers and Mary Hart(Truehart).
John T Demyers and my 2nd great grandmother, Alice Demyers Overton Usher were siblings.

Chancery Court Case
Copiah County, Mississippi
Case Number: 4162
Microfilm Number: 8256
Microfilm found at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History

The Sheriff took the Old Man's Cow 1866

Photograph Courtesy of Wikipedia

Confederate money was worthless, the Confederate government and economy was ruined. Rebuilding required money, tax every head of household including the newly freedmen.

Freedman Samuel Jackson was born between 1796-1804. He didn't own much to be taxed except for the cow, a couple of dogs and maybe a gun. Without warning, he was asked to pay his taxes or the cow would be auctioned. Sam lost his cow, likely a good source of milk and butter, and the sheriff got himself a cheap cow.

Here is how it was recorded in the Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records.
Sam Jackson (col'd) 70 years old lives in Copiah County (Mississippi).

July 10th Jessie Thompson Jr, Deputy Sheriff came to Sam's house and took his cow for which Sam had paid $30 for taxes. Sam said he could borrow the money to pay his taxes and would have it there in ten minutes but Thompson would not wait but put the cow up for sale. No one them but one or two negroes who told Deputy Sheriff they had no money and could not bid. He said he must sell her. So proceeded to bid himself and knocked her down to himself at the sum called for in the tax bill ($7.81) and drove her off. The tax receipt given to Sam is for 2 dogs and 1 gun? and $1 for levy in all $7.81. The man is to old to be liable for poll tax.

How does Sam Jackson connect to my family?
Sam Jackson's granddaughter Susan Jackson married Pedro Demyers.
Pedro Demyers was the son of John T Demyers and Mary Hart.
John T Demyers is my 2nd great grandmother Alice Demyers Overton Usher's brother.

SOURCE
Mississippi, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1865-1872," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-45819-6088-36?cc=2333768&wc=9L33-MNR:1078469102,1078469104 : accessed 18 December 2014), Brookhaven (subassistant commissioner) > Roll 12, Register of contracts, Jun 1865-Oct 1867 > image 68 of 101; citing NARA microfilm publication M1907, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.

Wordless Wednesday The Jackson Sisters circa 1915

Sarah L Jackson (Howard)
1910-1944
Elvira F Jackson (Wilson)
1909-1971

Jefferson County, MS
Poplar Hill Plantation

They were the daughters of Merriman Howard Jackson and
Mary Lou Gray

Photograph courtesy of Toni Stewart.

The sisters are not connected to my family tree.