Person:Richard Jackson (60)

The following Note provided by Bob Mitchell: Richard was a farm laborer working for Jesse Duren in Sumter Co., Alabama in 1850. In 1860, Richard was found in Mobile Co., Alabama where he listed his occupation as a Pilot. In 1870, Richard's occupation is listed as Steam Boat Pilot. Richard is living in Mobile, Alabama in 1880 and is still listed as a Pilot. He has a live in servant listed on the 1880 Census. Based upon letters written by Richard to his mother and brother (James), Richard worked the river off and on most of his adult life. He was strongly political prior to the Civil War and a Southern Sympathizer, probably due to his occupation on the river hauling cotton. He seemed to have an entrepruneral spirit as he dabbled in other avocations. He seemed to strike it rich. He manufactured and sold a type of patent medicine as well as operated a Club Room or gambling parlor in Mobile during the early 1870's. His income in 1872 was abt $500.00 per month. He suffered from Rhuematism which prevented him from working the river at times. He told of his house burning to ground in 1872. It was a total loss of $5500.00 for which he was not insured. With the help of his boss' son, the house was rebuilt.

1.   United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432)
   Bluff Port, Sumter Co., Alabama.
2.   United States. 1860 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M653)
   Ward 6, Mobile Co., Alabama.
3.   United States. 1870 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publications M593 and T132)
   Ward 1, Mobile Co., Alabama.
4.   United States. 1880 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T9)
   Ward 1, Mobile Co., Alabama.