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As promised, here is my proof regarding whether or not Stonewall Jackson owned slaves.

It comes from Anna Jackson’s book “Memoirs of Stonewall Jackson.” Published in 1895 by The Prentice Press in 1895. Prentice Press in located in Louisville, KY.

I quote from the book:

"… “…under his methodical management his household soon became a regular and well-ordered as it was possible for it to be with Negro servants…”

Still quoting… “His early training upon his uncle’s farm had instilled into him a love for rural pursuits, and it was not long until he gratified his desire to possess a little farm of his own, which embraced twenty acres near town. Here, with the aid of his Negroes he raised wheat, corn, and other products…

Still quoting… “He was a very strict, but kind master, giving to his servants ‘that which was just and equal,’ but exacting of them prompt obedience…

Here is Anna writing about his views on slavery. Quoting Anna… “I am very confident that he would never have fought for the sole object of perpetuating slavery. It was for her constitutional rights that the South resisted the North, and slavery was only comprehended among those rights.

”He (Jackson) found the institution of slavery a responsible and troublesome one, and I have heard him say that he would prefer to see the Negroes free, but he believed that the Bible taught that slavery was sanctioned by the Creator Himself, who maketh men to differ and instituted law for the bond and the free. He therefore accepted slavery, as it existed in the Southern States, not as a thing desirable in itself but as allowed by Providence for ends which it was not his business to determine.”

Thanks for the quote in extenso. One of the better articulations of a contemporary view, and a benchmark in discussing Jackson's character.

Other readers of this post will notice that Jackson didn't lend himself to trendy, specious theories then being spun out -- and argued to us in this forum as "prevalent" among the slaveholding classes -- about the inevitability of Negro slavery, by double-domed apologists for the peculiar institution who were reacting to the Abolitionist argument.

Jackson himself cites Scripture alone as his "theory" for holding other men at labor.

Just to quibble, again ... in the absence of other information (and I accept Robertson's research on the subject, to the extent that I really care :-), your highlighted quotes do not specify slaves. All of those terms, including "master," could be used to described hired black workers, either free workers or another owner's slaves. "Master" was the common term in Victorian times for any employer of labor; domestic labor notably, but even for factory employers.

THANK YOU!

i'm beginning to wonder if the "servants" she describes were "freepersons of colour", hired by the day/week/month OR if they were her father's slaves?????

otherwise the failure to tax his/her supposed "slaves property" for about 15 years makes no sense.

as such, i'll go look at her family's tax records. i'll let you know what i find.

once again, THANKS for your efforts.

free dixie,sw