Background
Jackson was born in 1747, in Oxford, Pennsylvania, the son of Samuel Jackson.
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Jackson David
Edit Profilepatriot physician Surgeon apothecary
Education
Jackson received his early education in an academy near his home. Subsequently he entered the medical department of the College of Philadelphia, later the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated with the degree of B. M. in the class of 1768, the first to complete the course in the new school.
Career
After practicing his profession in Chester County for several years Jackson went to Philadelphia, where he settled prior to the Revolution. He entered into the social, scientific, and political life of the city and upon the outbreak of the Revolution took an active part both as a patriot and as a surgeon in the cause of the colonies. On November 26, 1776, the Continental Congress appointed him manager of the lottery "for defraying the expenses of the next campaign. " Having become senior physician and surgeon of the General Hospital in Philadelphia, he asked the Congress, June 23, 1777, to permit him to resign from the management of the lottery. Later he was attached to the Pennsylvania militia, Continental Line, as surgeon, and on October 23, 1779, was made quarter-master-general of the Pennsylvania militia in the field, but soon was appointed senior surgeon of the military hospital. At the same time he was elected a member of the medical staff of the Philadelphia General Hospital, serving until December 5, 1780. He is said to have been present at the surrender of Cornwallis, at Yorktown, Virginia, October 19, 1781. After hostilities had been ended Jackson returned to Philadelphia and opened an apothecary shop which he conducted in connection with his profession. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress from Philadelphia from April to November 1785. In 1789 he was elected a trustee of the University of the State of Pennsylvania, which in 1791 became the University of Pennsylvania, and served upon the board until his death. In 1792 he was elected a member of the American Philosophical Society and on July 4, 1793, was associated with David Rittenhouse, James Hutchinson, and other Philadelphians in the organization of the first Democratic society in the country. Jackson died in 1801, at his home in Oxford, Pennsylvania and is buried in the Oxford Cemetery in Chester County, Pennsylvania. At the time of his death he was one of the aldermen of Philadelphia.
Achievements
Works
Membership
Jackson is known to be a member of the American Philosophical Society (1792), and member of the Philadelphia's Democratic Club.
Connections
Jackson was twice married; in 1768 to Jane (Mather) Jackson, the widow of his elder brother, Paul; and second, to Susanna Kemper, by whom he had nine children. His eldest son, David, succeeded him in the drug business, and his second son, Samuel Jackson, was for thirty-six years connected with the medical school of the University of Pennsylvania.
