Alexander (2) Jameson

(From The Jamesons in America) With this money ($100 he received from Zuar Eldridge on his 21st birthday) he (Alexander (2) purchased a horse and saddle and not long after went to Irasburgh, Vermont, a "wilderness town," where his next older brother, Thomas, was living. This township was given to Ethan Allen of the "Green Mountain Boys" fame, for military service, and came as an inheritance to Ira Allen, for whom it was named.

Ira Allen

A few farms were sold outright at first, but at a later date the land was leased, every farmer paying rent to Mr. Allen. Mr. Jameson was fortunate in securing one of the first farms. At that time the public highway, afterward the state route to Coventry, Newport, and Canada, was not built, and except for one small clearing it was an unbroken wilderness. But with true pioneer courage, Mr. Jameson set to work clearing away the primeval forest, and on April 16, 1826, he married Sarah Knowles Locke, and took her to a log house in the midst of his few fertile acres. A year later, he built a brick house, in which he lived nearly forty-five years, and where all but the eldest of his children were born. A few years before his death, he sold his farm and removed to the village.

A cool looking dude, with a 2010 hairstyle and duds and

neck gator that would make teens look on in envy

In reviewing his character, we notice among many admirable traits, strict integrity, unceasing industry, conscientiousness, and benevolence. He was a silent man, with a shade of sternness in his manner, but underneath was a rich and gifted nature. With little education, his ability was perhaps more noticeable, and his appreciation of learning was shown by the many sacrifices he made for his children that they might secure mental training. (These sacrifices were evidently made for daughters as well as sons, as can be seen in Laura's literary abilities, selling numerous articles to popular magazines) He was one of the first advocates of temperance in the town...

Vermont Sons of Temperance certificate (1850)

...and the first first to refuse to furnish liquor for a "barn raising." The neighbors said, "You won't get men enough to lift your timbers if you don't furnish the drink." "Then they won't be lifted," was the reply. But the men came, and the barn was raised without rum.

Mr. Jameson was an abolitionist in sentiment...

The underground railway system used by slaves seeking freedom.

Notice the route through northern Vermont and Irasburgh.

...and more than once befriended the poor runaway slaves who took that route toward the North star and freedom.

Depiction of slaves running for their lives and freedom




Bounty advertisement for a runaway slave

Deeds of benevolence were always done without ostentation. In referring to his obituary, we find this testimony: "He was a thorough, practical man in all the relations of life. As a citizen he filled every office to which he was called, " from representative down through the list, with fidelity, but the monument which he reared as a Christian will abide the longest, cherished by a grateful posterity. There is no other man to whom the people of Irasburgh are more indebted for the blessings of religion than to Mr. Jameson. He had a benevolent heart, a large purse, and a liberal hand, and they were never closed to the wants of the church of his choice." He was called an old-fashioned Methodist," but surely the outgrowth of his Christian experience would enrich any age.

In 1863 the devoted wife and mother of eleven children died. Afterward Mr. Jameson married Mrs. Martha Geraldine Clark, by whom he had two children. In October, 1871, he was suddenly translated to the country which is out of sight toward which he had been faithfully and patiently journeying for many years.

Where did they all go?

Canandaigua, NY where Alexander (1) died September 14, 1820

After the death of Janet (Jenny) Brown Jameson on March 23, 1803 in Barnet, VT, Alexander (1) shows up next in Lebanon, Grafton Co, NH for the 1810 census with many of his children. "later (he) went to Canandaigua, New York. He married Mrs. Parks. Mr. Jameson died November 17, 1819. Mrs. Jameson died later."(The Jamesons in America) If you are getting confused it is a sign you are paying attention. We now have three different dates for Alexander's (1) death.

Towns in New Hampshire and Vermont in which Jamesons reside in the early 1800's

Hugh Jameson [eldest son of Alexander (1)] was 17 when his mother died (1803). Two years later Hugh married Janet Brock. At the time of the 1810 census they and their 3 children were living a few miles away in Peachum,VT.

Joseph Brown Jameson, the next oldest, went back to Dunbarton, NH for a few years, likely living with relatives there, and then moved back with his immediate family in Lebanon, NH. Daniel, Anna, Sarah and the youngest, William Scott, were all living with their father Alexander (1) in Lebanon, according to the 1810n census.

Our particular interest is Alexander (2) Jameson (Laura Jameson's father). He was the 5th son of Alexander (1) and Jenny Jameson according to E.O. Jameson, taken in by Zuar and Mary (Brown) Eldridge, who were living in Lebanon,j Grafton County, New Hampshire. Mary Eldridge is thought to have been Jenny Jameson's sister and therefore young Alexander's aunt... It is reasonable to assume Alexander (2)was taken in by the Eldridge's immediately after Jenny's death. He eventually moved to Irasburgh, VT, probably about 1820. E.O. Jameson's account reads, "When he [Alexander (2)] was twenty-one, Mr. Eldridge gave him his 'freedom suit' and one hundred dollars. With this money he purchased a horse and saddle and not long after went to Irasburgh, Vermont, a 'wilderness town,' where his next older brother, Thomas, was living."

Freedom Suit

Tragedy comes to Jamesons

Roadside Tavern

(http://www.somejamesons.com/) About 1800, Mr. (Alexander (1)) Jameson sold his interest in the family homestead (in Dunbarton) to his brother Daniel, and with his (Alexander's) wife and eight children, the eldest not yet 15 years old, moved to Barnet, Vermont, joining his wife's brothers and sisters who had moved to nearby Peacham a few years earlier.

In 1807, a license (below) was issued to Daniel Jameson (son of Hugh) to keep a tavern "at his dwelling." It is thought that the town's Selectmen had asked the family to open a tavern in the hopes they could drive a nearby "undesirable" tavern out of business. It, one of four such establishments located on the main road running through Dunbarton, became a very popular tavern in those early days.

This tavern license: We the subscribers license Daniel Jameson

to keep a tavern unto his dwelling_____

Dunbarton for the term of one year...

Alexander and his family were in Barnet where their youngest child, William, was born and where his wife, Jenny (Brown) Jameson, died of small pox when the child was just 4 weeks old. There are competing stories about her death as well as what happened to Alexander immediately after. The most romantic of the recounts is offered by E.O. Jameson in The Jamesons in America.

Mr. Jameson's father Alexander Jameson, died under peculiarly sad circumstances, when he (younger Alexander) was a small boy of 5 years. His father was one of the several persons in the down seized with small pox, and was removed, according to old-time custom, to an isolated cabin. His wife, left at home with the young infant, was taken dangerously ill. Hearing of this, and desiring to see her once more, the convalescing husband and father escaped from the 'pest house' and literally dragged himself across the fields to his home, and there, through a window, held his last conversation with her. Both died soon after, and the children found homes among friends and relatives.

This story, at least the death of Alexander, is not supported in any way. The death of Jenny and many others was reported in the newspaper of that time. It is clear from records that the family was dispersed after Jenny's death, though it isn't clear whether Alexander's ill health, the prospect of parenting nine children alone or other circumstances initiated the break up of the family. It appears that Alexander (1) moved to where his brother Hugh, wife and family were living, Canandaigua, Ontario County, NY (west central region) in 1810 and after remarrying, died there in 1820.

Death notice for Alexander Jameson, died September 14, 1820, in the Ontario Register

The story is different and yet the same as the tragedy that struck the Dakin family in Soquel 100 years later. At the death of their wife and mother, the children are cared for by relatives who take them in and raise them as their own. One further similarity. Alexander (2) the son of Jenny and Alexander (1) later named two of his children after the couple that took him in Zuar Eldridge and his wife Mary. Out of similar appreciation, Ruthalee Mauldin named her first child Antheni Alice Mauldin with the nickname of the woman who cared for her like a mother, Ant Hen (Aunt Helen).