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.