Person:Charles Jackson (134)

1870 US Census (NY, NY Co, 10th ED, 15th Ward, p.24), Charles Jackson, 23, mulatto, b. VA, occupation cook, could read and write, personal estate valued at $300; Martha Jackson, 47, mulatto, also b. VA, also cook, could not read or write. They were both living with James Slater, a hotel keeper (b. England). I believe these are Martha Randolph and Charles Kersey Jackson, and since Charles later became a hotel keeper and head chef (The Robinson House in Niagara Falls, Niagara, NY), it makes sense that he was an apprentice under another hotel keeper. I’m concerned, however, at Martha’s inability to read and write. Per oral tradition, she was raised in the Randolph household and was taught to “cipher” by Randolph family members. Ciphering doesn’t require reading or writing skills, so perhaps that story is true.

1871 Freedman’s Bank & Trust reference No. 2187, Charles Kearzy Jackson (FHL film 0928585), Bank New York, NY, application date 2/2/1871. Charles 23, raised in Richmond, VA, complexion light brown, current residence 72 - 5th Ave, works for Mr. Slater 72 - 5th Ave as a cook. The record also states that Charles signed his own name. Per the record, Charles’ mother was Martha (no last name), who also lived with him on 5th Avenue; his father was John (no last name), where it states John died in Richmond in 1863; Charles had 6 siblings -- William, who resided in New York City; Mary Elizabeth, separated from her spouse, John Cross (no residence listed); Squire, listed as dead; Elizha, listed as dead; Augustus, listed as dead; Louisa, listed as dead.

1872 Freedman’s Bank & Trust reference no. 4725, Charles K. Jackson in trust for Marth Ann Jackson, application date 7/13/1872, no personal information included, remarks, “See record #2187. Deposited by Wm H. Jackson.” signed by Margaret Oakley Doane?

1880 US Census (NY, Niagara, Niagara Falls, Pg 172, ln 39), Enumerated under the “Cataract House,” Chas. K. Jackson, 32, Mu, single, was a cook, b. VA, both parents b. VA. Henry Portlock was the head of household. Census was taken June 3, 1880.

1880 US Census (NJ, Hudson, Jersey City, ED 36, sh 80D, ln 21), Charles 30, black, b. VA, both parents b. VA, worked as a cook. His mother Martha Jackson 61, bl, widow, b. VA, both parents b. VA. Also living with them, Emma Ripler 14, white, adopted daughter, b. VA, both parents b. VA, she attended school. They were living at 246 Pine Street. Census was taken June 30, 1880.

1881 Gopsill’s Jersey City and Hoboken Directory, compiled & publ by Wm. H. Boyd, Wash, DC, p. 184, Jackson, Martha, widow John, 246 Pine; and Jackson, Charles K., cook, 246 Pine.

1882 Gopsill’s 1882 Jersey City and Hoboken Directory (year ending April 30, 1882), p. 178, Jackson, Martha, widow John, 246 Pine; p. 177, Jackson, Charles H., cook, 246 Pine.

1883 Gopsill’s 1883 Jersey City and Hoboken Directory (year ending April 30, 1883), p. 234, Jackson, Charles H., cook, 310 - 1st. No Martha, widow John.

1884 Gopsill’s 1883-4 Jersey City and Hoboken Directory, p. 230, Jackson, Charles K., caterer, 546 Pine. No Martha, widow John.

1885 NJ State Census (Hudson, Jersey City, 6th Pct, pg 128, ln 2) Charles Jackson, colored male, 20-60 years, no. 3812. No. 3813 Mary Jackson, colored female, 20-60; no. 3814 Pauline Jackson, colored female, under 5; no. 3815 James Jackson, colored male, 5-20; no. 3816 Mary L. Lawrence, colored female, 20-60. Martha Randolph Jackson is not living with the family any longer and I suspect she had already died. James Jackson and Mary Lawrence are most likely Charles’ siblings.

1891 Jersey City, NJ City Directory (from Ancestry.com, 7/15/05), Charles K. Jackson, cook, living at 279-1/2 Whiton. Database from Boyd’s Jersey City Directory.

1892 Jersey City, NJ City Directory (from Ancestry.com, 7/15/05), Charles Jackson, cook, living at 279-1/2 Whiton. Database from Boyd’s Jersey City Directory.

1895 NJ State Census (Judson, Hersty City, 6th Ward, 5th Pct, pg 65, dwelling 273, family 336, ln 1939) Charles K. Jackson, col male, 20-60; Mary L. Jackson, col female 20-60; Paulenia Jackson, white female 5-20; and Florence Jackson, white female 5-20.

1899 Boyd’s Jersey City and Hoboken Directory, p. 406, Jackson, Charles K., cook, 281 Whiton.

1900 Boyd’s Jersey City and Hoboken Directory, no matching Charles Jackson.

1901 Boyd’s Jersey City and Hoboken Directory, no matching Charles Jackson.

1900 US Census (NJ, Hudson, Jersey City, 5th Pct, 6th Ward, ED 120, sh 8B, ln 64), Charles K. black, 53, b. Mar 1847 in VA, married 19 years, both parents b. VA, worked as a caterer, could read and write, and rented their home at 82 Whiton Street. His wife, Mary L., black, 47, b. June 1852 in NY, father b. VA, mother b. CT, married 19 years, total kids = 7, 3 living, and she could read and write. Their 3 daughters: Paulinia, 18, b. Oct 1887 in NY; Florence R., 14, b. June 1885 in NJ; and Ethel L., 4, b. Sept 1895 in NJ.

1902 Niagara Falls City Directory, street directory, p. 450, 313 Prospect, Mrs. Catherine T. Bolden. No Charles Jackson in alphabetical listings.

1903 Niagara Falls City Directory, street directory, p. 478, 313 Prospect, Mrs. Cecilia Turpin. No Charles Jackson in alphabetical listings.

1904 Niagara Falls City Directory, street directory, p. 498, 313 Prospect, Mrs. Cecilia Turpin. No Charles Jackson in alphabetical listings.

1905 NJ State Census (Hudson, Jersey City, 6th Ward, 6th District, sh 6B, dwelling 59, 220 Whiton Street) Charles K. Jackson, bl, b. Mar 1847, 58, married, b. VA, both parents b. VA, occupation cook Pull (?), could read and write, owned his home which was mortgaged. His wife, Mary L. bl, b. June 1853, 52, b. NY, both parents b. VA, housewife, could read and write. Their children, all b. NY, father b. VA, mother b. NY, black: Paulenia 22, b. Oct 1882, at home, could read and write; Florance [sic] 20, b. June 1885, attended high school, could read and write; and Ethel L. 9, b. Sept 1895.

1908 Niagara Falls City Directory, p. 247, Charles Jackson, laborer, bds 110 Twelfth. Not sure if this is Charles Kersey Jackson. Street directory, p. 591, 313 Prospect, Mrs. Mary Robinson.

1908 Niagara Falls map of land owners shows C. K. Jackson own the track of land running approximately 250’ East to West including 313 Prospect on the East and 312 Main Street on the West. This tract includes the Robinson House.

1909 Niagara Falls City Directory, p. 531, Robinson House, 313 Prospect, Mrs. Mary Robinson, propr. No Charles Jackson in alphabetical listings.

1910 Niagara Falls City Directory, p. 546, Robinson House, 313 Prospect, Mrs. Frank Grobb, propr. No Charles Jackson in alphabetical listings.

1910 US Census (NJ, Hudson, 6th Pct, Jersey City, ED 131, sh 6B, ln 70) Chas K. mu, 63, b. VA, both parents b. VA, married for 29 years, worked as a cook at a restaurant, owned his home at 220 Whiton and had a mortgage on same. His wife, Mary L., mu, 57, b. NY, father b. VA, mother b. CT, total kids = 7, living = 3. Their daughters: Florence R., mu, 27, b. NJ, was a dressmaker and worked at home; Ethel L., mu, 14, b. NJ. Everyone could read and write.

1915 New Jersey State Census (6th Dist, 6th Ward, p 6B, ln 78), Charles Jackson, black, b. Nov 1855 in VA, married, was 59, both parents b. VA, was a cook, could read and write, and owned his mortgaged home at 220 Whiton. His wife, Mary L., black, b. Jun 1857 in Buffalo, NY, was 57, father b. ??? (unable to discern), mother b. “Keniticut,” she was a housewife and could read and write. Their 2 daughters, Florence 28, b. Jun 1886 in Jersey City, was 28, single, and worked as a dressmaker and could read and write; Ethel 19, b. Sep 1895 in Jersey City, was 19 and single, and was a student. Ethel and Florence’s father was b. VA, mother b. NY.

1920 US Census (NY, Niagara, Niagara Falls, ED 99, 1st Ward, sh 7B, ln 97), Chas K. Jackson, 72, b. VA, both parents b. VA, was a proprietor of a hotel, could read and write, owned his home at 138 Prospect and had a mortgage. His wife, Mary L., 68, b. NY, father b. CT, mother b. CT, she could read and write. Living with them as boarders, John Smith, 57, b. VA, both parents b. VA, worked in a hotel and could read and write, and John’s wife, Ernestine(?), 51, b. VA, both parents b. VA, who worked as a chambermaid in a hotel.

1929 Oct 14, 1929, NY State Death Cert #6360, lists him as colored, married to Mary L. Bruce. He was retired, born in Richmond, VA. His father was John Jackson, who was born in Louisa Co, Richmond, VA; his mother was Martha Randolph, also born in Louisa Co, Richmond, VA. At the time of his death, he was living at 138 Glenwood Ave (ward 12), Mary L. Jackson was the informant. He was buried in Niagara Falls, NY on Oct 17, 1929, undertaker was Smith & Smith of 344 Jefferson Ave.

• • Richmond is actually in Henrico Co, and though John may have been born in Richmond or Louisa County, Martha was born in Charlotte Co., VA, per oral history.

5/5/2003 On a recent trip to Jersey City, I found that the original house at 220 Whiton Street has been replaced with a newer home. The homes at 82 Whiton, 279 Whiton, and 281 Whiton have all been destroyed. The home at 246 still stands and looks like the original structure.

1. ↑ Lot 97, grave 8, Funeral director Smith & Smith