Gen. Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson

Great-great-great-grandson of Agnes Hackley, daughter of John Hackley and Elizabeth Lambert of Essex County, Virginia. John Hackley was the progenitor of the Hackley family in Virginia. Thomas Jonathan Jackson was born at Clarksburg, [West] Virginia on 21 Jan 1824, the son of Jonathan Jackson (1790-1826) an attorney, and Julia Beckwith Neale (1798-1831). Jackson attended the US Military Academy at West Point, and graduated in June 1846, standing 17th out of 59 graduates. Jackson began his US Army career as a 2nd Lt., First Artillery Regiment. He served in the Mexican War, 1846-1848. In the spring of 1851, Jackson was offered and accepted an appointment to teach at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia, where he taught natural and experimental philosophy. On 4 Aug 1853, Jackson married Elinor Junkin (1825-1854), daughter of Dr. George Junkin (President of Washington College) and Julia Miller Junkin. Elinor died in childbirth on 22 Oct 1854. Their child, a son, was stillborn. On July 16, 1857, Jackson married for the second time to Mary Anna Morrison (1831-1915), daughter of Robert Hall Morrison and Mary Graham Morrison. Mary Anna gave birth to a daughter, Mary Graham, on 30 Apr 1858; the baby died less than a month later, on May 25.

 In Nov 1859, Jackson accompanied a contingent of VMI cadets to Harper's Ferry, (West) Virginia, where they stood guard at the execution of abolitionist John Brown. On 21Apr 1861, the VMI Corps of Cadets was ordered to Richmond to serve as drillmasters for new army recruits. Jackson was placed in command of the cadets. On 27Apr 1861, Gov. John Letcher ordered Col. Jackson to take command at Harper's Ferry, where he organized the troops that would soon comprise the famous "Stonewall Brigade" (2nd, 4th, 5th, 27th and 33rd Virginia Infantry Regiments and the Rockbridge Artillery). The Brigade units were all from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. William S. Hackley enlisted in the 2^nd VA Infantry Regiment in April at Charles Town, (West) Virginia, and served two years, participating in several battles, including "First Manassas".

 In July of 1861, Jackson was promoted to Brigadier General, and led his units at the Battle of First Manassas, where he acquired the legendary nickname "Stonewall": "Look, there stands Jackson like a stone wall." In October of 1861, he was promoted to Major General, and placed in command of the Valley of Virginia (Shenandoah Valley). On 2 May 1863 at 9:00 p.m., following his famous victory in the Battle of Chancellorsville, while reconnoitering with members of his staff, Jackson was accidentally fired on by troops of the 18th North Carolina Infantry Regiment. He was struck by three .57 caliber bullets and was taken to a field hospital near the battlefield, where his left arm was immediately amputated. On 4 May 1863, Jackson was moved to the home of Thomas Chandler, near Guiney Station, where on  10 May 1863 at 3:15 p.m. he passed away. His last words were "Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees."

A number of important familial connections were created when Richard Shippey⁹ Hackley (James⁸, Joseph⁷, James⁶, John⁵, Richard⁴, John³, John², Henry¹) married Harriet Randolph on 19 Dec 1805 at "Chilowee" in Cumberland Co., Virginia. Richard  was born 27 Jul 1770 in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and died after 1824. He was the great-great-grandson of John Hackley, the progenitor of the Hackley family in Virginia. Richard married Anne Jackson on 16 Oct 1790 in Maryland. She died of consumption in New York City in 1802. Harriet, his second wife, was the daughter of Thomas Mann Randolph and Anne Cary of "Tuckahoe", and was born in Virginia on 24 Nov 1783 and died on 1 Dec 1859.

Richard was a successful and well-traveled merchant, who resided at various times in Fredericksburg, Norfolk, Richmond, New York, Florida and Spain. In 1789 he was an established merchant in New York. In 1806 he was appointed US Consul at St. Lucia, Spain, and in 1807 he was appointed US Consul at Cadiz, Spain, the latter being a more prestigious position at that time. Richard had claims to 12 million acres of uncultivated land near present day Tampa, Florida. He was deeded this Florida land by the Duke of Alagon on 29 May 1819, who previously had been granted this tract by the King of Spain by order dated 17 Dec 1817. This claim has been well documented and was asserted by a number of the heirs of Richard for a number of years following his death. In a case brought before the US Supreme Court by Lot Clark, David Clarkson, Joseph D. Beers, Andrew Talcott, Brantz Mayer and Harriet Hackley against Joseph Addison Braden, in December 1853, this claim was finally settled. It was determined that prior to ratification of the treaty transferring Florida from Spain to the US, the King of Spain annulled the grant to Alagon in response to concerns of the US negotiators. Based primarily on this fact, the court upheld the findings of a lower court, determining that Richard derived no title from the US in said land.

The following relations are traced through the marriage of Richard and Harriet:

William Randolph, I of "Turkey Island" (1651-1711)

Progenitor of the Randolph family in Virginia, one of the most prominent and prosperous families in early Virginia history. Apparently of a royalist family that was ruined in the English Civil War. He landed in Virginia poor and landless, and before he died he amassed 10,000 acres. His main estate was at Turkey Island. He served in the Virginia House of Burgesses and the Virginia Colonial Council. He is connected to the Hackleys through several of his descendants.

Peyton Randolph of "Tazewell Hall" (1721-1775)

Grandson of William Randolph I, progenitor of the Randolph family in Virginia. Educated at William and Mary, studied law at the Inner Temple, London. Appointed King's Attorney for Virginia in 1748 and was member of the Virginia House of Burgesses 1764-1774 and served as speaker in 1766. President of the Virginia conventions of 1774 and 1775. Member of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Pa., September 5, 1774, and elected its President but resigned October 22, 1774, to attend the Virginia House of Burgesses; reelected to the Continental Congress, which met in Philadelphia in May 1775 and again served as President; died while attending the Congress.

Gov. Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr. of "Edge Hill" (1768-1828)

Great-great-grandson of William Randolph I, progenitor of the Randolph family in Virginia. Served in the State senate in 1793 and 1794. Elected as a Republican to the Eighth and Ninth Congresses (March 4, 1803-March 3, 1807). Served as colonel of the Twentieth Infantry during the War of 1812. A member of the State house of delegates in 1819, 1820, and 1823-1825. Governor of Virginia 1819-1822. He died at “Monticello,” the home of Thomas Jefferson, his father-in-law, on June 20, 1828, and interment in the family burial ground. He was the brother of Harriet Randolph, who married Richard Shippey Hackley. Thomas married Martha Jefferson, daughter of Thomas Jefferson. He is buried at Monticello in Charlottesville.

Gov. Edmond Jenings Randolph (1753-1813)

Great-grandson of William Randolph, I of "Turkey Island", progenitor of the Randolph line in Virginia. Graduated from the College of William and Mary and studied law. He served in the Revolutionary Army and was aide-de-camp to General Washington. Appointed attorney general of Virginia in 1776. He was a member of the Continental Congress in 1779, 1781, and 1782. Elected Governor of Virginia in 1786 but resigned in 1788 to serve in the Virginia State house of delegates in 1788 and 1789. He was appointed the first Attorney General of the United States, in the Cabinet of President Washington, on September 26, 1789, but was transferred to the State Department as Secretary of State on January 2, 1794, and served until August 19, 1795, when he was requested to resign following charges (subsequently found to be false) proferred by Minister Fauchet of France. He was the principal counsel for Aaron Burr when the latter was tried for treason.

Pres. Thomas Jefferson of "Monticello" (1743-1826)

Third president of the United States (1801-1809) and author of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson was a renaissance man whose interests were broad and whose accomplishments were great and varied. He was a philosopher, educator, naturalist, politician, scientist, architect, inventor, pioneer in scientific farming, musician, and writer, and he was the foremost spokesman for democracy of his day. Jefferson's father, Peter Jefferson, was a prosperous Virginia planter. His mother, Jane Randolph, was a daughter of Isham Randolph and a granddaughter of William Randolph I, progenitor of the Randolph line in Virginia. On New Year's Day, 1772, Jefferson married Martha Wayles Skelton, a 24-year-old widow. By the time of his marriage, Jefferson had for several years been a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. He is connected to the Hackleys through both his mother's Randolph lines, and through the marriage of his daughter, Martha, to Thomas Mann Randolph, a brother of Harriet Randolph who married Richard Shippey Hackley.

Capt. Andrew Talcott (1797-1883)

Married Harriet Randolph Hackley on 11 Apr 1832 in Norfolk, Virginia. Harriet was the daughter of Richard Shippey Hackley and Harriet Randolph. Capt. Talcott graduated 2^nd in the West Point class of 1818, and became an extremely talented and successful civil engineer, working on the design and construction of forts, railroads and waterways, and as surveyor for the determination of boundary lines between states. While serving as Superintending Engineer for the construction of Forts Monroe and Calhoun at Hampton Roads, Virginia, he was the immediate superior, and friend, of Robert E. Lee.

Richard Lee of "Dividing Creeks" (1618-ca1664)

Born in Shropshire, England, Richard removed to Virginia and became the progenitor of one of the most prolific and influential families in Virginia history. It was from Richard Lee that Gen. Robert E. Lee descended. Richard served as Secretary of the King's Privy Council in Virginia, and was a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses for Northumberland County in 1661. He resided at his estate "Dividing Creeks" in Northumberland County from 1651 until his death. Richard is connected to the Hackleys through intermarriages between his descendants and members of the Fitzhugh, Carter and Custis families, and through them also the Randolph family. A more direct connection may exist through his granddaughter, Laetitia Lee, who married William Ball, who in turn may have been related to Judith Ball who married John Hackley of King George County in 1734. This second connection is mostly speculation, and requires further research to confirm.

Richard Lee of "Mt. Pleasant" (1647-1713/14)

Son of Richard Lee of "Dividing Creeks", the progenitor of the Lee family in Virginia, Richard Jr. was born in Gloucester County, Virginia, and educated at Oxford in England. In 1677 he served in the Virginia House of Burgesses. In 1699 he was appointed Naval Officer and Receiver of Virginia Duties for the River Potomac. He was also a member of His Majesty's Council in Virginia. After the death of his older brother, John, Richard became heir-at-law, inheriting his father's estate "Mt. Pleasant", consisting of about 2600 acres in Westmoreland County on the Potomac River. The "Stratford" line of Lees are descended from him.

Henry Lee of "Leesylvania" (1729-1787)

Great-grandson of Richard Lee of "Dividing Creeks", the progenitor of the Lee line in Virginia. Henry was an Attorney and Justice of the Peace for Prince William, which county he represented in the Virginia House of Burgesses, off and on, from 1758 to 1772. He was a representative at the Virginia State Conventions of 1774-1776. In 1780 he was elected to the Virginia State Senate.

Richard Henry Lee of "Chantilly" (1732-1794)

Son of Thomas Lee, brother of Arthur Lee and Francis Lightfoot Lee, and great-grandson of Richard Lee, the progenitor of the Lee family in Virginia. Member of the Virginia house of burgesses 1758-1775. Member of the Continental Congress 1774-1779 and sponsor of the independence resolution, he was also a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Author of the first national Thanksgiving Day proclamation issued by Congress at York, Pennsylvania, October 31, 1777. He was a member of the Virginia State house of delegates in 1777, 1780 and 1785, and served as colonel of the Westmoreland Militia. He was again a Member of the Continental Congress 1784-1785 and 1787 and served as President of the Congress in 1784. He was a member of the Virginia convention that ratified the Federal Constitution in 1788. He was elected to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1789, until his resignation October 8, 1792. He served as President pro tempore during the Second Congress and retired from public life.

Francis Lightfoot Lee of “Menoken” (1734-1797)

Son of Thomas Lee of "Mt. Pleasant", brother of Arthur Lee and Richard Henry Lee and great-grandson of Richard Lee, the progenitor of the Lee family in Virginia. Member of the house of burgesses 1758-1775 and signer of the Westmoreland Association against the stamp act. Member of the Continental Congress 1775-1779 and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was a member of the Virginia State house of delegates in 1780 and 1781, and served in the Virginia State senate 1778-1782.

Arthur Lee of "Lansdown" (1740-1792)

Son of Thomas Lee, brother of Francis Lightfoot Lee and Richard Henry Lee, and great-grandson of Richard Lee, the progenitor of the Lee family in Virginia. Studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, and was graduated in 1765. He studied law at Temple Bar in London 1766-1770, and was admitted to the bar and practiced in London 1770-1776. Commissioned as agent of Massachusetts in England and France in 1770, and appointed correspondent of Congress in London in 1775. He was commissioner to France in 1776 and to Spain in 1777. He returned to Virginia in 1780 and was a member of the State house of delegates 1781-1783, 1785, and 1786. Member of the Continental Congress 1782-1784 and member of the Treasury board 1785-1789.

Gen. Henry "Light-Horse Harry" Lee (1756-1818)

Son of Henry Lee of "Leesylvania" and great-great-grandson of Richard Lee, progenitor of the Lee family in Virginia. He graduated from Princeton College in 1773 and was appointed Captain of a Virginia militia cavalry regiment in 1776. In 1777 he was appointed Captain of Light Dragoons (cavalry) under Gen. Washington's command. In 1781 he joined Gen. Greene in the South against Cornwallis. His bravery and leadership earned him the moniker "Light-Horse Harry". After the war, he was a member of the Virginia convention for ratifying the Constitution. Henry became Governor of Virginia in 1794 and a member of congress in 1799. In 1793 he married Ann Hill Carter, a great-granddaughter of Robert "King" Carter of "Corotoman", the progenitor of the prosperous and powerful Carter family in Virginia, and together they bore, amongst other children, Robert E. Lee, future commanding general of the Confederate Army. Henry was appointed Major-General on 19 July 1798, and honorably discharged on 15 Jun 1800. Elected as a Federalist to the Sixth Congress (March 4, 1799-March 3, 1801); at the request of Congress pronounced the eulogy upon President George Washington before both branches of Congress, in which Washington is characterized as the man “first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen”.

Robert Edward Lee of "Arlington" (1807-1870)

Son of Gen. Henry "Light-Horse Harry" Lee. Graduated from West Point in 1829, and was Chief Engineer to Gen. Wool in Mexico in 1846. From 1852 to 1855 he served as Superintendent of West Point. He was Commanding General of the Confederate Army from 1861 to 1865. He married Mary Anne Randolph Custis, through whom he obtained the estate at "Arlington". Mary Anne was a great-granddaughter of Martha Dandridge, wife of Gen. George Washington of "Mount Vernon", and a direct descendant of the Calverts, Lords Baltimore, of Maryland.

Cecilius Calvert, II Lord Baltimore (1605/06-1675)

Eldest born son and heir of George Calvert, I Lord Baron of Baltimore in Ireland, Cecil was raised a Catholic, attended Trinity College, Oxford, and in 1628 married Anne Arundell. He was named after his father's friend and promoter at the Court of King Charles, Lord Cecil. He inherited the title, Irish estates, and the 10-12 million acres of American land in what became Maryland from his father and served as the first Lord Proprietor of that colony from 1632-1675. On 20 June 1632 Cecilius signed the "Charter of Maryland", and became the founder of the Province of Maryland , which was settled in 1634. He never set foot in America, but he skillfully preserved his charter rights from enemies over the course of several decades, establishing Maryland on a sound and prosperous footing, and promoted religious toleration for all Christians living in his colony. He is connected to the Hackley family through his great-great-great-granddaughter, Eleanor Calvert, who married John Parke Custis, the son of Martha Dandridge, wife of Gen. George Washington, by her first marriage to Daniel Parke Custis.

Martha Dandridge (1731-1802)

Martha Dandridge was born on 2 Jun 1731 on a plantation near Williamsburg. She grew up at the Dandridge home, "Chestnut Grove". Wife of Gen. George Washington of "Mount Vernon". Martha was first married to Daniel Parke Custis. Their son, John Parke Custis, married Eleanor Calvert, the daughter of Benedict Calvert of Prince George's County, Maryland, a direct descendant of the Lords Baltimore of Maryland, including Cecelius Calvert, II Baron of Baltimore and signer of the Maryland Charter. George Washington Parke Custis, the son of John and Eleanor, was the namesake and adopted son of Gen. George Washington. Mary Anne Randolph Custis, the daughter of George Custis and his wife, Mary Lee Fitzhugh, married Robert E. Lee, commanding general of the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Martha Washington died of "severe fever" on 22 May 1802, and was buried next to George at Mount Vernon.

Robert "King" Carter of "Corotoman" (1663-1732)

Born in Lancaster County, Virginia, the son of John Carter who settled in Virginia before 1649. Robert was the progenitor of one of the most prosperous and powerful families in early Virginia history. America's first millionaire and the wealthiest man in Virginia when he lived. A Rector of William and Mary College and a Speaker of the Virginia House of Burgesses, he also served as Governor of the Colony of Virginia and agent for Lord Fairfax's Northern Neck proprietary. He is connected to the Hackley family through several intermarriages between the Randolph, Lee and Fitzhugh families. In addition, early Hackley land grants along the Rappahannock River in Essex and King George Counties were adjacent to some of his lands near Summer Duck Run (now in eastern Fauquier County).

Gen. George Washington of "Mount Vernon" (1730/32-1799)

Father of his country and commanding general of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. From 1759 to 1774, Washington was a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, the lower chamber of the Virginia legislature. He was elected to the First Continental Congress, an assembly of delegates from the colonies to decide on actions to take against Britain. On June 15, 1775, the Continental Congress unanimously elected George Washington as general and commander in chief of its army. Washington is connected to the Hackleys by marriage to his wife, Martha Dandridge, and also through his mother, Mary Ball, who was a 1^st cousin once removed from Judith Ball, daughter of Samuel Ball, who married John Hackley of King George County in 1734. John was the grandson of John Hackley, the progenitor of the Hackley family in Virginia.

Pocahontas

Pocahontas, (1595?-1617), was the daughter of the Native American chief Powhatan of Virginia. Her real name was Matoaka; the name Pocahontas means "playful one." According to legend, in 1608 Pocahontas saved the life of Captain John Smith by holding his head in her arms as he was about to be clubbed to death by her father's warriors. In 1612 Pocahontas was captured by the English and taken to Jamestown. She became a convert to Christianity and took the name Rebecca. In 1614 she married John Rolfe, one of the colonists, with the blessings of both the governor and her father. Eight years of peace between the Native Americans and the English followed the marriage. In 1615 Pocahontas had her first child, Thomas, and the following year the family went to England. She met the king and queen of England and was received with royal honor. On the eve of her return to Virginia, Pocahontas died of smallpox and was buried in the chapel of the parish church in Gravesend, England. Her son was educated in England, but returned to Virginia and became an important settler; many prominent Virginians claim to be his descendants.She is related to the Hackleys through her great-great-granddaughter, Jane Bolling, who married Richard Randolph and was the great-grandmother of Harriet Randolph, who married Richard Shippey Hackley in 1805.

BIOGRAPHIC SOURCES