George Jackson of North Reston
North Reston Hall. Credit C Witcomb.
St Edith's Church. Credit C Witcomb.
A query from Chris Witcomb led me to the interesting story of George Jackson, a Lincolnshire lad who made his fortune in India and returned as a prosperous landowner. Much of this information comes from www.nikoko.co.uk/Diaries/Jackson.htm.
Born in 1758, George Jackson was the son of a Gainsborough cobbler, and he ran away to sea when he was 14 years old. At that time Gainsborough was a flourishing port, trading with London and overseas. From London, ships went to China and India, transporting various goods including tea and porcelain.
In 1796, George Jackson, then a captain with the East India Company in Calcutta, married Mary Howard. Mary had been born in India and married George Jackson when she was not quite 16 years old, and he was closer to 38 years. George had two illegitimate children in India. Mary was well connected in Calcutta society and had this happened in England it is doubtful that the mores of the gentry would have permitted their marriage.
Between 1800 and 1816 Mary and George produced five sons and four daughters. Probably prompted by concern over their health in the tropical climate, the growing family returned to Lincolnshire in 1803.
In May 1804, George Jackson purchased North Reston Hall with its large farm, about five miles south of Louth. We have few details about the life of the Jackson family in Reston, but they would have lived a privileged life, socialising with the local gentry. The boys attended the King Edward VI Grammar School in Louth.
One morning in April 1823 at about 2 am, the family heard a disturbance on the premises. Mr Jackson rose from his bed, opened a window, and fired his pistol at the intruders. The family found him stretched out on the floor, lifeless. He had not been shot but died from apoplexy. At that time the oldest child, George, was 22 years old and the youngest was six.
A plaque in St Edith’s Church, North Reston reads, "Sacred to the Memory of George Jackson Esq of this place who died on the 20th April 1823 age 65 years leaving a Widow and nine children / Also of Mary Jackson who died in London March 23rd 1858 aged 78 years very endeared to her children and loved by all".
What about the children of George and Mary? It would take too long to list every member of the Jackson family, but here are a few notes.
Son George studied at Cambridge, became a clergyman, married Lydia Lister, daughter of Matthew Lister of Burwell Park, and in 1827 became Vicar of St Edith’s Church; he and his family lived in the vicarage. Fourth son, Howard, became a Captain in the East India Company; the records show that he traded in opium. He took over North Reston Hall.
Third son, John, became a surgeon; two of his granddaughters were Virginia Woolf and Vanessa Bell. Second daughter, Charlotte, married Richard Paddison, a solicitor and leader of the radical reform group in Louth.