The Jacksons of Double Bayou LbNA #76628

The name Jackson in Chambers County, Texas, is synonymous with Double Bayou. The patriarch of the family, Humphrey Jackson, was born in Ireland but immigrated to the United States in about 1805. He moved west, eventually settling in Louisiana. Humphrey joined Stephen F. Austin and moved his wife and family of 10 children to Southeast Texas, choosing land near the present day town of Crosby. After his death, his daughter Letitia took her younger siblings, Hugh, John Henry and James Merriman Jackson to live with relatives of her mother at Double Bayou, a community in what is now Chambers County. James Merriman Jackson, The youngest son of Humphrey, got into the ranching business in 1842 with a herd of 175 cattle. He recorded his brand “JHK” in 1854. It has been in continuous use for the JHK Ranch ever since. When he married Sarah Cade White in 1847, the youngest daughter of James Taylor White, Cattle King of SE Texas, her dowry added to his herd. In 1877, he became the first cattleman in Chambers County to fence any appreciable amount of land. The first fence was was made of planks nailed to cedar posts, but by 1882, he had switched to barbed wire. By the time he died n 1895, The JHK Ranch had grown to 26,000 acres. It included much of the land that is now the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge. James, true to the character, fortitude and aptitude of his father, Humphrey, did much to enhance the lifestyle and education of the community of Double Bayou.  In his lifetime, he served Chambers County as chief justice, county judge, sheriff and notary public; and within his own community of Double Bayou, he served as doctor, dentist, druggist, scribe, commissioner, surveyor, assessor, postmaster, private banker and cotton ginner.  Being a great believer in education, he hired private tutors for his children and also allowed local children to attend the classes.

Directions: Jackson Cemetery is located south of Anahuac, Chambers County, Texas. Take FM 562 south toward its intersection with FM 1985. Just before you get to FM 1985, you will see Jackson Cemetery on the left. There are two gates and you can drive through either one into the cemetery. Be sure to close the gate behind you. Find the tallest obelisk marker in the cemetery. It pays homage to many members of the Jackson Family. Just south of it are two concrete slabs which mark the graves of James and Sarah. Note the bronze medallions on their graves which recognize them as Citizens of the Republic of Texas.

To the box: East of the obelisk, just beyond the fence, you will see a large magnolia tree. At its base you will find the letterbox under a brick. You can access it by reaching under the chain link of the fence. Take care so not to scratch yourself, there’s plenty of room. Be respectful of the box and the place. Leave everything as you found it.