History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts - citizen hylbom blog

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to aid in the evangelization of the Indian natives,
but not in the Churcli of England form. Gibbs
Street, which formed a part of his land, received its
name in memory of him.
John Jackson (died 1675), eldest son of Deacon
John Jackson, was probably the first child born in
Newton of the permanent settlers. He died un-
married, aged thirty-six. years.
Captain John Jackson (died 1755) was the
wealthiest man in Newton, paid the largest tax,
and had the highest seat in the meeting-house.
Jonathan Jackson (died 1810), son of Edward
and Dorothy (Quincy) Jackson, graduated at Har-
vard College, 1761, as did also two of his sons,
Charles (judge) and James (doctor), the latter of
whom was professor in the Harvard Medical School
from 181^ to 1836. Mr. Jackson was a member
of the Provincial Congress, member of the National
Congress in 17S1, state senator, appointed by
Washington tirst marslial of the district of Massa-
chusetts, treasurer of Massachusetts, and also treas-
HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
urer of Harvard College.
Major Timothy Jackson (died 1814), father of
the late Hon. AVilliam Jackson, served continu-
ously from 1780 to 1811 in various town and
state ofliccs. He was adjutant and brigade-niajo
in the militia, kept tlic town school in the nortl
district two winters, was deputy sbcrill' ten vcars
selectman many years, moderator of nearly all lii
town-meetings from 1795 to 1810 inclusive, and
representative to the General Court fifteen years
successively. His house, which was demolished in
1809, stood on the same ground as tlie present
Jackson homestead.
Hon. William Jackson (died 1855) was elected
representative to the General Court in 1819 and
again in 1826 ; he was a member of the board of
selectmen and of the school committee, took an early
and decided stand in the cause of temperance, became
one of the earliest and most ardent favorers
of the enterprise of railroads, and was superintendent
of construction of the Boston and Worcester and
several other railroads, and director of the Western
Eailroad for nine years. He was one of the prime
movers of the savings-bank in Newton, and its
first president. He was elected member of Con-
gress in 1830, and served two terms. His influ-
ence was the primary cause of the establishment
of special trains on the Boston and Albany Rail-
road. He was the main-spring of the organization
of the Eliot C luirch, and one of the deacons from
the beginning, and also the mover and president
of the American Missionary Association for the
first eight years of its existence. His influence
also led to the efficient development of the new
village of Auburndale.
John Kenrick (died 1833) purchased the place
formerly of Edward Durant, on AVaverley Avenue.
He was selectman two years, and representative
to the General Court seven. In 1825 he made a
donation to the town of §1,000, and afterwards
other donations, amounting in all to §1,700, as
the basis of a perniauent fund for the relief of
the poor of the town. He provided that the fund
should be allowed to accumulate till it should
amount to §1,000, and after that the whole an-
nual income should be distributed to the industrious
poor, especially widows and or])hans. The
fund reached the stipulated amount ($ 4,000} in
1851. ^Ir. Kenrick was an ardent friend of the
temperance reform, and a liberal contributor to
the first autislavery society in tliis country, and
dic^d its president.
Dr. John King (died 1807), of Newton Centre,
was the only physician in Newton for nearly half
a century. Fie came from Sutton, and his house
was on the site of the present residence of Gusta-
vus Forbes, Esq. The house still stands in its
new location on Pclham Street. Dr. King was
selectman eight years, and for several years was
moderator of the town-meetings. He was a true