Jackson, Edward C.
(born: 1831 - died: 1912)Edward C. Jackson, an enslaved man, was born in Lexington, KY. In 1850 he married Matilda C. Blair who was free; she purchased his freedom. The couple moved to Xenia, OH, where they owned a grocery store. During the Civil War, they moved to Springfield, OH, where they owned a second-hand store.
By 1868, the couple had moved back to Xenia, where Jackson became one of the first African American city council members. He was also a trustee on the Board of Wilberforce University and a member of the Wilberforce Lodge Free and Accepted Masons.
Jackson and his wife had eight children, and he was the uncle of John H. and Jordan Jackson, Jr.
For more see "Born a slave in Lexington," Lexington Leader, 2/11/1912, p. 2.
*Additional information provided by Yvonne Giles: Edward C. Jackson's wife's name is misspelled [Malinda C. Blain] in the obituary notice found in the Lexington Leader; her name was Matilda C. Blair [source: Deed book #35, p. 213, 12 October 1858; taxes and fees paid May 1859]. She signed a contract with George W. Sutton for the purchase of her husband Edward Jackson on 12 October 1858, paying $800: $400 down and $400 by May 1859, even though the contract was for three years. The contract makes no mention that Matilda C. Blair is a 'free woman of color'; it did call for a deed of emancipation for Edward Jackson once all money had been received.