George W. Jackman Jr. Explained

George W. Jackman Jr.
Birth Date:January 22, 1814
Birth Place:New York, New York, U.S.
Death Date:January 4, 1895 (aged 80)
Death Place:Newburyport, Massachusetts, U.S.[1]
Occupation:Shipbuilder
Party:Democrat
Collector of Customs the Newburyport District
Term Start:1886
Term End:1890
Predecessor:William H. Huse
Successor:Thomas C. Simpson
Title2:Mayor of Newburyport, Massachusetts
Term Start2:1877
Term End2:1877
Predecessor2:Benjamin F. Atkinson
Successor2:Jonathan Smith
Term Start3:1863
Term End3:1863
Predecessor3:Issac H. Boardman
Successor3:William Graves
Term Start4:1861
Term End4:1862
Predecessor4:Moses Davenport
Successor4:Issac H. Boardman
Title5:Postmaster of Newburyport
Term Start5:1858
Term End5:1862
Predecessor5:John M. Cooper
Successor5:Nathan A. Moulton

George Washington Jackman Jr. (January 22, 1814 – January 4, 1895) was an American shipbuilder and politician from Newburyport, Massachusetts.

Early life

Jackman's family had been involved in shipbuilding in Newburyport since 1790.[2]

Shipbuilding

In 1849, Jackman purchased the shipyard of his deceased brother, Stephen. That same year he launched his first vessel, the Hollander, a 525-ton bark. In 1850, he constructed his first clipper ship, the 525-ton Arab.[3]

Between 1850 and 1861, Jackman constructed nine clipper ships (Hussar, Whistler, Starr King, War Hawk, Charmer, Black Prince, Daring, Reynard, Fear Not), four barks (Annie Buckman, Falcon, Said Bin Sultan, and Nabob) and one schooner (Lydia). The War Hawk, was built for use in the Coolie trade. It was described by the Boston Daily Atlas as "unquestionable strong and beautiful... Her cabin accommodations, considering their space, could not have been designed better, or furnished with finer taste". The War Hawk was 193 feet long and had 23 feet depth of hold.[4] [5]

In 1861, Jackman secured a contract to build the USS Marblehead, a 529-ton gunboat, for the United States Navy. In 1863, Jackman completed the 1,040-ton USS Ascutney.[6]

In 1863, Jackman constructed the A. N. Franklin (bark) and the Newbury (brig). The following year he built another clipper ship, the Nonantum.

In 1866, Jackman constructed two oak and hackmatack screw steamers, the Ontario and the Erie, for the American Steamship Company. The ships were 2,000 tons each, 325 feet long, and 29 feet deep.[7]

In 1874, Jackman built the 1,350 ton Exporter and Reporter.[8] The shipyard closed that December following the launch of his last ship, the 1,419-ton Landseer.

Politics

City government

In 1854 and again from 1859 to 1861, Jackman represented Ward 6 on the Newburyport Board of Alderman. On February 27, 1861, Jackman was chosen to succeed the deceased Moses Davenport as Mayor. On April 19, 1861, Jackman and a committee of citizens arranged Newburyport's first citywide memorial service following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.[9] Jackman was elected to his own term in 1862 and served again from 1864 to 1865. From 1871 to 1872 he served another stint on the Board of Aldermen. In 1877, Jackman was elected to his fourth and final term as mayor.[10]

Federal government

From 1858 to 1862, Jackman served as Newburyport's Postmaster.[11] From 1886 to 1890, Jackman was the Collector of Customs for the Newburyport District.[12]

State government

In 1868, Jackman represented the 1st Essex District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.[13]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: A Prominent Citizen of Newburyport . 20 November 2023 . Boston Evening Transcript . January 4, 1895.
  2. Book: Knoblock, Glenn A.. The American Clipper Ship, 1845–1920. 1904. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. 286–288. 9781476602844.
  3. Book: Currier, John J.. History of Newburyport, Mass. 1764-1905. 1906. John J. Currier. 465–466.
  4. Book: Quimby, George I.. Pioneers in Historical Archaeology: Breaking New Ground. 1994. Springer Science+Business Media. 122.
  5. Web site: Warhawk History. Warhawk Woodcrafts. October 12, 2017. October 13, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171013065948/http://www.warhawkwoodcrafts.com/warhawk-history.html. dead.
  6. Web site: Jackman Shipyard. Clipper Heritage Trailpublisher=Newburyport Clipper Heritage Trail. October 12, 2017.
  7. News: Bradlee. Francis B.C.. Old Transatlantic Steam Liners. International Marine Engineering. January 1911.
  8. News: Along the Merrimac. The Boston Daily Globe. May 8, 1875.
  9. Book: Currier, John J.. History of Newburyport, Mass. 1764-1905. 1906. John J. Currier. 423.
  10. Book: Currier, John J.. History of Newburyport, Mass. 1764-1905, Volume 2. 1909. John J. Currier. 604–607.
  11. Book: Currier, John J.. History of Newburyport, Mass. 1764-1905. 1906. John J. Currier. 385.
  12. Book: Currier, John J.. History of Newburyport, Mass. 1764-1905. 1906. John J. Currier. 676.
  13. Book: History of Essex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men.