The author wishes to express his gratitude to his brothers and sisters who contributed time and effort to ensure the completion of this book. He is indebted to his uncle, aunts, cousins, and friends who sent pictures and suggestions for his book.
 
My name is Thomas Jackson. I was born the ninth day of June, 1846 in Richmond, Virginia. My mother’s name is Carrie and my father is Master Tom Jackson. My mother told me that Master Tom was an overseer on the Johnson’s plantation when he met Annie Johnson, the owner of the Johnson’s plantation. After Miss Annie’s husband, William Johnson Sr., died from smallpox in the summer of 1838, William Jr. sold most of the slaves to other plantation owners and eventually returned to Georgia, where he was a doctor and had his own family.