William Jackson (1759-1828)
Unsung Patriot
William Jackson is a person with whom you might not be familiar but his energy and contributions we find in several spheres of our colonial and early American history. His multi-faceted career is interesting to observe.
Thirty-nine delegates, designated the Founding Fathers by a grateful nation, signed the Constitution in September 1787. But, in fact, a fortieth name appears on that historic document, that of William Jackson, the secretary of the convention, whose signature authenticated the results of the sessions in Philadelphia. Although Jackson lacked the delegates’ right to debate and vote on the issues, he was clearly at one with those who manifested a strong dissatisfaction with the weakness of the government under the Articles of Confederation.
William was born in a town in England along the Scottish border. He received a rudimentary education typical of the area. His sheltered world suddenly changed when his parents died, and neighbors arranged for this orphan’s emigration to Charleston, South Carolina. He was raised by Owen Roberts, a prominent merchant and family friend who was a veteran of the French and Indian War. Roberts introduced William to the colonial idea of the citizen-soldier by bringing him to the musters of the Charleston Battalion of Artillery (today’s 263d Air Defense Artillery, S.C. National Guard) which he commanded. Roberts was also active in Charleston’s legislative bodies.
Although criticism of the King was muted in the southern colonies, a majority opposed British taxation policies. Robert’s standing as a leader helped shape Jackson’s emerging interest in the Patriot cause. In the summer of 1775, South Carolina ousted the Royal governor and voted to raise regulars to protect the colony. Roberts was promoted to command a new artillery regiment, the 4th South Carolina. William soon followed his guardian, obtaining an appointment as a cadet in the 1st South Carolina. 18th century cadets were young men preparing to become officers through on-the-job training. In May, 1776, William was commissioned second lieutenant in the regiment.
The regiments were incorporated into the new Continental Army after a naval invasion of Charleston, where they repulsed the British. After failing to capture a Royal colony of East Florida Jackson’s regiment later fell back to South Carolina.
Charles Pinckney persuaded Major General Benjamin Lincoln of Massachusetts to appoint Jackson as a diplomatic assistant to bridge the gap between the Yankee general and his southern subordinates. By this time, the British had shifted forces to Georgia. They intended to capture the colonies one at a time, gaining momentum as they rolled north. Jackson, as a 20-year-old aide, came into contact with men from a completely different section of the nation. Jackson served in skirmishes and battles, and saw the Americans defeated. He was among the almost 5,000 captured after the attack on Charleston. As an aide, instead of the horrors of prisoner-of-war, he was sent on parole to Philadelphia. He was later exchanged along with General Lincoln.
An article on the History of the Army says this was Jackson’s last appearance on the battlefield. His skill as a staff officer led to his assignment as secretary to Lt. Col. John Laurens, Washington’s aide. The two men went to France to negotiate the shipment of vital war supplies. Laurens returned with materiel for the Yorktown campaign, leaving Jackson behind to coordinate with John Adams and Benjamin Franklin and the Dutch government for the shipment of more supplies. Back in Philadelphia, in early 1782, he accepted Lincoln’s offer to serve as Assistant Secretary of War. Lincoln had become First Secretary, and relied heavily on Jackson to act as a liaison between Congress and the Army. In 1783, with demobilization almost complete, Jackson resigned.
After quitting Charleston to seek new opportunities, William traveled through Europe, thought of a career as a merchant, but finally settled down in Philadelphia to study law. When the Constitutional Convention assembled in Philadelphia in 1787, Jackson’s intense interest in the political discussion of the day led him to successfully apply for the position as its secretary. He was admitted to the bar in 1788. His wartime contacts with many of the delegates, especially Hamilton, helped him edge out Benjamin Franklin’s grandson for the post. Jackson was sworn to protect the secrecy of the deliberations, and, on instruction of the delegates, he destroyed all records except for the official journal after the final draft of the Constitution was signed.
Jackson hoped to serve as a legislative secretary in the new federal government, but he failed to secure a post in the Senate. Instead, he was selected by Washington to be his secretary, thus becoming one of the original civil servants in the executive department. He performed well in that demanding assignment, drawing on his wartime skills as an aide, before resigning for financial reasons in December 1791. Jackson declined Washington’s offer of the post of Adjutant General of the Army and embarked on a business career and a law practice. He married Ann Willing, daughter of a wealthy Philadelphia merchant, then returned to federal employment, being appointed surveyor of customs for the port of Philadelphia.
Jackson was a staunch Federalist, but when Thomas Jefferson became President in 1801, he lost his job. He returned to the law and edited a pro-Federalist newspaper. In one of his last cases, he represented a group of Continental Army veterans who were petitioning for pensions originally promised during the Revolution. He always remained faithful to his old comrades in arms, serving over 25 years as the national secretary of the Society of the Cincinnati. Toward the end of his life, he officially welcomed his old friend and ally, General Lafayette, to Philadelphia during the Frenchman’s tour of America in 1824.
William Jackson “was typical of many immigrants who contributed gladly to the defense of their new homeland. A strong nationalist, he gave of himself both in uniform and in a quieter way within the halls of national government.” William died 17 December 1828 and is interred in Christ Church Cemetery, Philadelphia. He was a Patriot, a Soldier, and a Statesman – unknown by many, as secretary of the Constitutional Convention, and part of our early national history.
