Stanford Jackson

Chester Lynn recently shared the following undated news clipping about Ocracoke Native Stanford Jackson (1859-1944).

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I don't remember Mr. Jackson (he died the year I was born), but I had heard about him, and in 2008 I wrote this (http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news092608.htm):

"In 1940 Mr. Stanford Jackson, an octogenarian island carpenter and recent convert, offered to build the new [Assembly of God] church if the materials could be procured and several helpers found. Eliza O'Neal's sons, John Thomas, and his bother, Steve, and several others volunteered their time.Construction was begun in 1941 and continued into 1942. Sanford Jackson built the first pews as well.

"An article in the Ocracoke Beacon, dated October 15, 1941, recalls, 'Stanford Jackson, expert craftsman, who can make anything from a fiddle to a ship model, with his pocket knife, is now completing a much bigger job. For several months, Stanford has been engaged (almost single-handed) in building the little church down on the Point Road which will be the place of worship for islanders of the Holiness Pentecostal faith.; The church is almost completed, and Stanford Jackson deserves praise for the fine job of carpentering he has done in building this place of worship.'"

[I just located the photo showing Stanford Jackson and his violin. I will publish it soon.]

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is about the 1977 recording of traditional Outer Banks folk music. You can read the article here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news032116.htm.