A Brief Biography
Thomas Jonathan Jackson lived in Lexington from 1851-1861, while he was a professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy and an instructor of artillery tactics at Virginia Military Institute.
During that decade Jackson joined the Lexington Presbyterian Church, married, bought the only home he ever owned, and lived quietly as a private citizen. Jackson was born in western Virginia (now West Virginia) to Julia Neal Jackson and Jonathan Jackson on January 21, 1824. Thomas was orphaned at a young age; his father died when Thomas was two, and his mother when he was seven. Jackson was raised by extended members of his father’s family, mainly his uncle, Cummins Jackson. As a young adult, he was employed as a constable (debt collector) and a teacher before he was appointed to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point in New York.
Jackson graduated from West Point, served in the U.S. Army, fought in the Mexican War, and was later stationed in New York and in Florida before he was appointed Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy at Virginia Military Institute. He moved to Lexington and settled into life as a civilian, eventually marrying Elinor Junkin in 1853. Ellie died in October 1854, as a result of childbirth. The baby, a boy, was stillborn.
Taking time to grieve, Jackson turned to his faith for help. In 1857 he courted and then married Mary Anna Morrison. Jackson and Anna, as she was called, purchased their home on Washington Street in 1858. The two settled in and made a home for themselves. Jackson enjoyed caring for his own home and cultivating the kitchen garden located behind the house.
In April 1861, Jackson rode off to war. Following the first battle of Manassas, Jackson became widely known by the nickname “Stonewall.” Jackson earned lasting fame for his leadership of Confederate forces, especially during the Valley Campaign of 1862. “Stonewall” Jackson died on May 10, 1863, as a result of complications from wounds received at Chancellorsville along with pneumonia. His body was brought back to Lexington for burial in the cemetery on the south edge of town.
“Lexington is the most beautiful place that I remember of having ever seen when taken in connection with the surrounding country.”
Letter from Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson to his sister, 20 August 1851
Read more letters from Jackson in the VMI Archives.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Jackson born?
Thomas Jonathan Jackson was born on January 21, 1824, in Clarksburg, Virginia (now West Virginia) to Julia Neale Jackson and Jonathan Jackson.
How did Jackson earn his nickname, “Stonewall”?
Jackson’s nickname was first applied to him at the First Battle of Manassas on July 21, 1861, by Confederate General Bernard Bee. Inspired by Jackson’s resolve in the face of the enemy, Bee called out to his men to inspire them: “Look, men! There is Jackson standing like a stone wall! Let us determine to die here, and we will conquer!” Exactly what General Bee said will never be known, but this version was published in the Charleston Mercury on July 25, 1861, and reprinted in the Richmond Daily Dispatch and Lexington Gazette.
Another popular version of General Bee’s exclamation is “Look at Jackson’s brigade standing like a stone wall! Rally on the Virginians!” This version appeared in several publications put out in the twenty-five years after the war. Yet another version of the quote was later put forward by Jackson’s surgeon, Hunter McGuire, in 1891: “There stands Jackson like a stone wall! Rally behind the Virginians!”
Did he have any children?
Jackson’s first wife, Elinor Junkin Jackson, died as a result of giving birth to a stillborn son. Jackson and his second wife Mary Anna Jackson had a daughter, Mary Graham Jackson, who was born and lived for a few weeks in 1858. Mary Anna gave birth to another daughter, Julia Jackson, in late 1862. Julia survived to adulthood and had two children of her own before she passed away. There are numerous Jackson descendants today, although none of them has the last name, Jackson.
How did Jackson die?
Jackson was accidentally wounded by friendly fire at Chancellorsville on May 2, 1863, by a soldier or soldiers of the 18th North Carolina Infantry Regiment. Jackson was shot twice in the left arm and once through the right hand. His left arm was removed two inches below his shoulder by Dr. Hunter McGuire in an effort to save his life. Jackson was then removed to Guiney Station to convalesce. Jackson’s condition continued to decline; he developed pneumonia and died on May 10, 1863. His last words were “Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees.” Jackson was buried on May 15, 1863, in the Lexington Presbyterian Cemetery. The cemetery, now called the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery, is located on Main Street in Lexington, Virginia.
What happened to the Washington Street house after Jackson died?
After Jackson left Lexington to fight for the Confederacy, Mary Anna left Virginia to live with her parents in North Carolina. She chose to remain at her parents’ home after Jackson died. Mary Anna then rented the house out for a period before selling it to a chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy in the early 20th century. For nearly fifty years, the house—with many additions—served as the only hospital for Rockbridge County. When the hospital moved to its current location, the house was operated as a shrine to Jackson. In 1979, the house was restored to its appearance during the period of Jackson occupancy and reopened to the public.
What happened to Jackson’s amputated arm?
The Reverend Beverly Tucker Lacy carried Jackson’s arm to Ellwood, Lacy’s brother’s plantation home. Ellwood was located about one mile from the field hospital where Jackson was treated. The arm was buried in the family cemetery. The site is currently operated by the National Park Service.
What happened to Jackson’s wife?
Mary Anna Jackson never remarried. After Jackson’s death, she and Julia returned to her “Cottage Home,” her parents’ home in Lincoln County, North Carolina, where they stayed until 1873. Mary Anna and Julia then moved to Charlotte for six years and subsequently spent two years in Baltimore while Julia attended school. After Julia completed her formal education, the two women generally spent winters in Richmond and summers visiting Lexington, though they never stayed in the Washington Street house. When Julia married, Mary Anna joined her household, first in Richmond and then for a brief period in San Diego before returning to North Carolina. Mary Anna lived the rest of her life in Charlotte, although she frequently traveled to visit friends and family, and to attend Confederate Veterans’ events. Mary Anna died in 1915 and is buried in Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery.
What happened to Jackson’s daughter, Julia?
Julia married William Christian in 1885. Before her death in 1889 at the age of twenty-six, the couple had two children, Julia Jackson Christian and Thomas Jackson Christian.
How did Jackson feel about slavery?
Jackson did not leave behind any writings indicating how he felt about the institution of slavery, so we don’t know for certain how he felt about it. We do know that he participated in the slave economy. Jackson owned six individuals while he lived in the Washington Street House. Albert had requested that Jackson purchase him and was hired out a local hotel, Rockbridge Alum Springs, and Virginia Military Institute as a waiter. Amy, who served as a cook, had requested that Jackson purchase her at a public auction. After his marriage to Mary Anna, the couple received Hetty, Mary Anna’s former nursemaid, and Hetty’s two teenage sons Cyrus and George, from Mary Anna’s father as a wedding gift. Jackson purchased the sixth slave, a small child named Emma, as a gift for his wife. Mary Anna may have also brought two or three more slaves to the marriage who were sold and never lived in the Washington Street house.
Did Jackson really love lemons?
While we do know of three stories of Jackson enjoying a lemon during the war, there is no evidence that he preferred that fruit to any other. In one account by Henry Kydd Douglas, Jackson ate a lemon during the encounter at Gaines’ Mill. A VMI colleague, Colonel Raleigh E. Colston, also wrote that Jackson enjoyed a lemon during Gaines’ Mill. The third account also centered on Gaines’ Mill, was left by a soldier under J.E.B. Stuart. The soldier wrote that Jackson sucked on a lemon during the battle.