Jack Hemphill Williamson

b. 25 February 1843, d. 1867
  • Jack Hemphill Williamson was born on 25 February 1843 in Washington County, Texas.
  • He was known as Pack presumably for "Patrick Jack."
  • He likely was named for Patrick Churchill Jack, his father's comrade in the Texas Revolution, in whose honor, with his brother William Houston Jack, Jack County, Texas, formed in 1856, was named.
  • Robert McAlpin Williamson and Mary Jane Edwards appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Washington County, Texas. Other members of the household included Jack Hemphill Williamson, Peter Gustavus Williamson, Julia Rebecca Williamson, Willie Annexus Williamson and C. M. Williamson.
  • On Tuesday, 12 June 1860, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Campbell Wood returned from Rutersville, Jack H. Williamson came home with him."
  • On Sunday, 28 April 1861, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Campbell and Jack [Williamson] returned from Rutersville."
  • He enlisted as a private in Captain Horatio White Fisher's Company (G), 3rd Regiment, Sibley's Brigade (later Tom Green's Brigade), Texas Mounted Volunteers, by Capt. H. W. Fisher in Walker County on 24 August 1861, and mustered into service at Camp Pickett by T. C. Howard on 26 October 1861 (250 miles to rendezvous, valuation of horse $150, equipment $35). He was admitted to the general hospital in Houston, Texas, on 4 January 1863 with Vulmis (shell) leg, and furloughed for 30 days on 14 January (order for transportation 8 April). He appears on a list of casualties at Donaldsonville, Louisiana, 28 June 1863, dated 22 July 1863 at Shreveport, "wounded slightly." He was captured at Camp Pratt, Louisiana, on 20 November 1863, a prisoner of war at New Orleans, Louisiana, confined at the Custom House in New Orleans, committed 23 November, released 21 December, and sent to New Iberia, Louisiana. He appears as a sergeant on the roll of prisoners of war sent for exchange from New Orleans to New Iberia.
  • Green Wood recorded the following in his daily account book: "Received of Green Wood two hundred dollars with interest at ten percent to the 1st of January next, dated 27 July 1862, J. H. Williamson," with the notation "Settled January 1st 1863."
  • On Tuesday, 14 October 1862, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Assigned a Note as security for Jack H. Williamson to John H. Williamson for $250, put the humbers on the bills corner of the Note."
  • On Saturday, 12 September 1863, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Rode in Carrige to Mr. W. P. Fishers with Madam Wood & left $100 to send to Jack H. Williamson by Mr. Lorenzo Fisher."
  • Jack executed notes to Green Wood on 2 October 1863 and 22 February 1864.
  • On 7 October 1864, Mary Jane LeGrand wrote to Rush Brevard Wood:
         Danville, Texas
    My Darling Son:
         I have been feeling quite uneasy about you. We heard you were sick from eating fruit. Do my dear child take care of yourself and you must feel no hesitancy in going to Mr. Spyker's if you should get sick or wounded. Your Pa has written to Mr. Spyker concerning you. They are most excellent people. You will feel perfectly at home there, and no doubt he would take pleasure in having the son of his old friend with him. Should you get back to Louisiana, Mr. Cummings Post Office is Collinsburg.
         Well my child, I have your clothes all ready, I believe all you sent for. I put your gloves both pair in your coat pockets. Mrs. Preston Spiller knit the woolen gloves for you. Your Pa bought the other pair.
         Rush, I did not make the coat as you directed. I intended making a short one too, but did not have time. I have had three attacks of chills and fever since Felix came home. That is why I did not have time for making the other coat. Am just up now from the last attack. I hope what I send will please you. The coat is a very good one. The outside is not as stout as I would have liked. That part of it your Grandma gave you. I made everything myself except the knitting. The socks, Mrs. Wynne knit one pair, and your sister one pair. I will tell you right here, Mrs. Wynne and her family all send much love to you. Miss Ella is looking very pretty. I tried to get her to knit you a pair of socks. She was too much afraid of being teased.
          Miss Sarah has made Jack and yourself each a hat and your Grandma sends each of you a pair of over socks for which you must thank them when you write.
         You liked to have been too late for blankets, just did have time to weave in some on the negro cloth. They are not as heavy as I would wish. It is the best I could do for the time. I intend to weave some as soon as I can and keep some on hand. Your Pa went to get you some tobacco. Mr. Pankey’s Ned has the best of any one else. He asked $2.00 in specie. Your Pa did not get any, of course he said that was entirely too much for his pile. He has gone to get some from your Grandpa’s negroes. Daniel has twisted up some to send you. Your Pa says it is not good. I will mark it so you can tell it.
         Your Pa and I have concluded to send you specie. The confederate money is so worthless. He has made arrangements with Mr. George to get $15.00. The way Mr. George rates it is $6.00. The way it is rated in Houston is $9.00. I hope that will answer your purpose. You must take good care of it.
         Rush, when you write, tell me who all your officers are, from Brigadier Gen. down. I am so glad to see you are writing often. Do continue to do so. I am always so anxious to hear. Give my love to Jack. Tell him if he should get sick he must call on Mr. Spyker. I forgot to mention it when I was speaking of it.
         Your Pa could not get the leather for but one pair of boots. He got the leather from Mr. Wynne. You will find some adhesive plaster. It will be good to put on a cut place. I send you the soap, tho it is not so good. Also a cake of suet and a bundle of rags.
         Rush, let me caution you about using too much tobacco. I hear it is making so many people sick. It made Eason have spasms. He has quit it entirely.
         From your letter to Eliza, I see you are tired of the service. I know it must be very trying to one as young as yourself particularly. I expect it goes as hard with me as it does with you, for I assure you I think of you often, often. You must cheer up and keep in good spirits. You have it to do and must make the best of it. One thing I am proud of in you, you do not aspire to office, or fame. You are fighting for your country’s sake alone. I heard you say that when you was at home last. So many are expecting an early peace. God grant that it may come. The children all join in love to brother Rush. I expect Fanny will want to write. Good bye. May the blessings of God rest upon you now and forever is the prayer of your loving Mother.
         [Signed] M. J. Wood.
  • On 3 December 1864, Green Mark Wood wrote to Rush Brevard Wood:
         Danville, Texas
    My Dear Son:
         I returned home day before yesterday after an absence of three weeks in the Reserve Corps. All were well when I arrived. Campbell was taken sick yesterday and your mother has chills every two or three weeks. The school is out and Solomon will be home today.
         We caught a good many deserters and conscripts in the Big Thicket. We get very little news now. We have not heard a word from you since Jack Williamson's letter just after the arrival of Capt. Raney Fisher. Old Lincoln is elected and the war will probably go on for years to come. So you may make up your mind to remain in the service for years to come. I regret it on account of my children. I shall not be able to give them an education. And I fear should it end you will not feel like going to school.
         I am looking for Mr. Cummings out here. He and his mother-in-law and brother-in-law are going to move out with all their negroes some 700 [sic] to get out of the way of the Yankees.
         I am expecting to send this by Mr. Nathan Burke. I am very hopeful about the final result of the war but very many are desponding.
         Your Uncle Campbell was well when we heard from him last. He had not been assigned to duty as yet. The Yankees captured his horse crossing the Mississippi, and he has not been able to get another. I hope you take good care of your horse. No news worth mentioning. Your mother and all the children send to you and Jack Williamson much love. We were disappointed in not getting a letter by the wagon when it returned. I can think of no more to write.
         Your father, Green M. Wood.
  • Jack Hemphill Williamson died in 1867 in Millican, Brazos County, Texas, during the yellow fever epidemic.
  • Research Note: A list of the Williamson children has survived to the present day, preserved by Powell family descendants.
  • Last Edited: 19 Oct 2015