The cemetery is located about 100′ southeast of the “Jackson House” at 1157 Swinks Mill Rd. in McLean. It is surrounded by a 100’x 50′ wooden fence. Daylilies grow densely throughout the fenced garden but not in the cemetery proper. Some periwinkle was also evident. There are four formal gravestones, and the thick daylilies obscured any evidence of field stones or unmarked burials outside the primary interment area. The cemetery is well maintained. Date of Survey: 4/6/2010
A survey completed in 1994 recorded a marker with the inscription: “James W. Jackson – Born: – Died: 1861 – son of Mrs. Jane Donaldson Jackson.” However, James W. Jackson, is not buried here. He is listed on the Confederate Dead Monument at the Fairfax City Cemetery and is buried in that cemetery. According to Page Johnson’s book, Brothers and Cousins, James W. Jackson was the first civilian killed when the Union Army crossed the Potomac River and occupied Alexandria on May 24, 1861. A large Confederate flag was flying over the Marshall House, placed there by the proprietor, James W. Jackson.
Col Ellsworth of the 5th NY Zouaves, was determined to remove the Confederate flag which could be seen from Washington,D.C. He and a party of men went to the roof to remove the flag. On the way down the stairs, Jackson shot and killed Ellsworth. Jackson grabbed the flag and raced upstairs where he was shot and killed by Union Sgt. Brownell.
The Smithsonian Institution’s online collection First Blood documents the people and events with several artifacts, including pictures of Jackson and the shotgun used to kill Ellsworth.
Photos of Jackson Family: Swinks Mill Rd.
County Survey Record
