Thomas Jackson (1808-1885)
Thomas Jackson (1808-1885) Railway contractor, of Eltham Park, Kent
1805/8 Born in Kings Norton, Worcestershire
1816 Started work on the Birmingham Canal as a labourer at Audlem
1827 Took his first sub-contract on canal being built near Market Drayton for Telford
1837 Gained his first railway contract on part of the Birmingham and Derby Railway
1840 Had contracts on the Chester and Crewe Railway and the Tame Valley Canal
1843 Messrs Jackson and Bean undertook the refurbishment of the Caledonian Canal
1847 On completion of the work on the Caledonian, he returned to railway work
1847 Started construction of breakwater on Alderney which went on for 25 years
1854 Constructed Tyne Dock at Jarrow
Worked on fresh water supply at Harrogate
1871 Contractor, living in Eltham[1]
1881 Thomas Jackson 73, living in Eltham, with Mary Jackson 83, Mary Jackson 41, Albert F. Jackson 38, daughter Eleanor Haines 45, grandson Henry J. Haines 21[2]
1885 Died at Eltham Park [3]; executors included Alfred William Thomas Bean, civil engineer, grandson, and Eleanor Haines, daughter[4]
Sons John Jackson (1834-1891) and Thomas Jackson