New Hampshire WWI Military: Sergeant Major Andrew Jackson of Littleton and Rochester (1882-1960)

I would not have known about Sergeant Major Andrew Jackson of New Hampshire except for a brief newspaper notice placed in the Nashua Telegraph in September of 1919. It stated as follows: “Concord–Sergeant Major Andrew Jackson of Rochester was decorated with the Croix de Guerre from the French Government by Governor John H. Bartlett Wednesday afternoon for bravery at Chateau Thierry. Members of the legislature, guards of khaki, members of the Legion, the soldier’s family and citizens gathered before the state house for the ceremony.”

The Croix de Guerre (literally “War Cross”) is a French military decoration that was awarded to recognized both French and Allied soldiers as a military citation for valorous service (courage or gallantry) during World War I.  In Jackson’s case, it was awarded for heroism at Chateau Thierry while a Sergeant with Co. C, 103rd Infantry.

After poking around a bit, I located a New York Times newspaper photograph, featured on above.  The caption reads: “INHERITED FIGHTING BLOOD: SERGEANT MAJOR ANDREW JACKSON, 103d Infantry, Whose Grandfather Was a First Cousin of “Old Hickory,” Whom Sergeant Major Jackson Strongly Resembles, Decorated with the French War Cross at the State House, Concord N.H. by Governor John H. Bartlett, for Heroism at Chateau-Thierry.”  It is a great photograph and not to detract from the honorable award, but the ‘first cousin to Old Hickory’ part is very questionable. [See genealogy later].

The U.S. Transport Passenger Lists of military during WWI shows that Andrew Jackson sailed aboard the ship Celtic on 27 September 1917 from New York bound for Europe, a member of Co. C, 103rd Infantry, the so-called “Yankee Division.”

Andrew Jackson was born 8 January 1882 in Littleton, New Hampshire, son of James Robert & Lydia (Drew) Jackson. He graduated from Dartmouth College (1903) in Hanover NH, studied law and became an attorney, residing in Rochester, New Hampshire. During WWI he served, as stated, in Company C., 103rd Infantry, as did his brother William M. Jackson. When the war ended his rank was Sergeant Major.

Photograph of Andrew Jackson from his
passport of 1920.

Andrew Jackson never married, and after WWI he took several trips abroad by ship including one in 1920 on the ship Baltic from New York City to do relief work in the Baltic Provinces. (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia). His passport provides a photograph and description of him: 38 years old, 5 ft 5o-1/2 inches tall, high forehead, medium mouth, square chin, roman nose, oval face, brown eyes and brown hair, no distinguishing marks.

In 1937 Andrew Jackson’s address was Pennsylvania Avenue Washington. In that year he took a trip with brother William Mitchell Jackson on the ship U.S. Pres Harding sailing from Havre to NY.  By 1940 Andrew was living in Littleton NH, 80 south Union Street. In 1954 he spent 6 weeks in England.  Andrew died 9 April 1960 and is buried in Glenwood Cemetery, Littleton, Grafton Co. NH.

–ANDREW JACKSON’S GENEALOGY–
(of Littleton and Rochester, New Hampshire)

Editor’s note: The photograph at the top of the page implies that Andrew Jackson’s grandfather was first cousin to “Old Hickory” aka President Andrew Jackson.  There is a possibility that there was a relationship back in Ireland, but to this day it seems unproven.  Both Jackson families came from northern Ireland, but I have found no definitive proof of this relationship. President Andrew Jackson’s father was from Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland while William Jackson, the immigrant ancestor of this Andrew Jackson’s father was from Milford, Ireland 167 km apart.

Robert Jackson b. 1766 Antrim Ireland, son of William Jackson. He died 1863 in Milford, Donegal Ireland He married m. Mary “Mollie” Martin.  [History of Littleton NH]
—————————–
Children of Robert & Mary “Mollie” (Martin) Jackson:
1. +William Jackson b. 3 Feb 1807 Milford, Donegal, Ireland
2. Margaret Jackson
3. Robert Jackson
4. James Jackson

—–Next Generation—–

William Jackson, son of Robert & Mollie (Martin) Jackson, b 3 Feb 1807 Milford, Donegal, Ireland, d 29 March 1897 Littleton NH. He married 7 Dec 1837 to Prutia/Prusia/Prucia /Persia Morrill, daughter of Joseph & Olive (Mason) Morrill. She was b 8 Jan 1816 in Danville VT and d. 17 November 1880 in Littleton NH. He lived in Littleton NH from 1840 until his death. His occupation was wool dyer and cloth finisher. Democrat, Presbyterian.
——————–
Children of William & Prusia (Morrill) Jackson:
1. +James Robert Jackson, b. 5 Oct 1838 Barnet Vermont
2. Andrew Jackson b. 1 April 1840 Barnet VT
3. William Jackson b 14 Feb 1842 Barnet VT
4. Mary Jane Jackson, b. 14 July 1844 Barnet VT; m. Henry H. Metcalf
5. Julia O. Jackson, b. 27 27 Sep 1846 Barnet VT; . She m. 10 April 1895 in NH to William B. Hurd, son of Timothy B. & Eliza (Partridge) Hurd.
6. Laura P. Jackson b 18 April 1848 Littleton NH, unm. d. 18 Aug 1873 Littleton NH
7. Henry Oliver Jackson b 1 Oct 1851 Littleton NH
8. Alice E. Jackson b 14 Dec 1855 Littleton NH; m1) 3 November 1886 Elmer E. Day. Butcher, resided Boston MA. They divorced. She m2d) 5 May 1914 in Concord NH to Frank May Hunnewell, son of James A. & Caroline (Ivers) Hunnewell.

—–Next Generation—–

James Robert Jackson, son of William & Prusia (Morrill) Jackson b 5 Oct 1838 Barnet VT, d 22 November 1917 Littleton NH. He moved with his parents to Littleton NH as a child and was educated in Littleton public schools and in the law office of Hon. Harry Bingham. Democrat. Clerk N.H. House of Representatives in 1871. U.S. Consul to Sherbrooke Canada 1893-97. Author, History of Littleton NH. He m. 16 July 1879 in Littleton NH to Lydia A. Drew, daughter of George K. and Lucy (French) Drew. She b. 3 December 1854 at Newmarket NH, d 1921. She graduated from Dover high school in 1874 and taught in Dover grammar schools for 5 years before her marriage. Later she taught in Littleton and Lancaster high schools and to private students. She was a member of many clubs and societies in Littleton and Lancaster NH. They are buried in Glenwood Cemetery, Littleton NH.
———————
1900 US Census > NH > Grafton > Littleton
James R Jackson 61 (Oct 1818 VT Ireland VT) Lawyer
Lydia Jackson 45 (Dec 1851 NH NH NH)
Harry O Jackson 16 [Aug 1883 NH VT NH]
William M Jackson 14 [May 1886 NH VT NH]
Elizebeth Jackson 11 [Sep 1889 NH VT NH]
Catherine P Jackson 8 [June 1891 NH VT NH]
Rachel P Jackson 6 [Nov 1897 NH]
————————————
Children of James R. & Lydia A. (Drew) Jackson:
1. Robert Jackson, b. 21 May 1880 Dover NH; graduate of Dartmouth and Harvard. Lawyer. Married Dorothy Witter Branch of Manchester. Children: Sarah Branch, Hope.
2. +Andrew Jackson, b. 8 January 1882 Littleton NH. This story is about him, see above.
3. Harry O. Jackson, b. Aug 1883 Littleton NH
4. William Mitchell Jackson, b 31 May 1886 Littleton NH; d. 28 March 1957; He married Isabelle Sherman. Buried Glenwood Cemetery, Littleton NH. He was a Sergent in Co. C, 103rd Infantry with his brother Andrew
5. Elizabeth Jackson b Sep 1889 NH; m. 1 March 1919 Concord NH to Thomas Z. Varney
6. Katharine Florence Jackson b June 1891 Littleton NH; d. 20 Nov 1903 in Littleton NH of typhoid fever
7. Rachel Pierce Jackson b Nov 1897 Littleton NH. In 1940 US Census single and living in Duluth Minnesota, single working as a social worker. She died August 1980 in Duluth MN. Andrew Jackson, son of James R. & Lydia A. (Drew) Jackson was born 8 January 1882 in Littleton, Grafton Co. NH. Single. This story is about him.

[Editor’s Note: this story is part of an on-going series about heroic New Hampshire men and women of World War I.  Look here for the entire listing].