The Remarkable Life of Benjamin Jackson: Sailor, Farmer, and Civil War Hero

As the snow settles lightly on the ground and New Year’s resolutions hover gently at the forefront of our minds, I invite you all to dive into the life of an extraordinary man who may have slipped under your radar:

Benjamin Jackson, a man whose tale is as layered as a fruitcake—thankfully without the mysterious candied cherries or the overwhelming sense of regret that one usually associates with New Year’s leftovers.

Born on January 2, 1835, in the land of maple syrup and moose—Canada, to the uninitiated—Benjamin’s life was anything but dull. At the tender age of 16, he traded his cozy home for the vast, wet expanse of the sea, embarking on a career as a commercial seaman. That’s right, folks! While most teens were playing pranks or navigating the complexities of teenage love, Benjamin was navigating the high seas. Talk about setting the bar high!

Fast forward a few years, and our hero decided farming would be a fine pursuit as well. Because why not add “farming extraordinaire” to his resume alongside “Maritime Maverick”? In his mid-twenties, he settled down to cultivate the land—presumably while reminiscing about his high-seas adventures.

But the winds of change were soon to blow. When the American Civil War erupted, Benjamin traded his plow for a cannon and joined the Union Navy, where he made waves—quite literally! As a gun captain aboard the USS Richmond, he played a pivotal role in the Battle of Mobile Bay. Here’s a fun fact for those who think they know naval war: it’s apparently quite nerve-wracking to disarm naval mines while also dodging enemy fire. Who knew bravery came with so much pressure?

And there was that one time he performed a daring feat worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster—picking up a live shell and tossing it overboard. Sound like an action scene straight out of a Michael Bay film? Maybe it shouldn’t have surprised us though; after a year of this life of adventure, it’s safe to say Benjamin had a flair for the dramatic.

Of course, heroism isn’t without its toll. Benjamin battled bronchitis and faced a serious hand injury during the war. One can only imagine the grueling days on a ship and the sleepless nights spent praying for the next dawn. Despite these challenges, he was decorated with a Civil War Campaign Medal, which was undoubtedly more thrilling than any participation trophy handed out today.

Once the dust settled after the war, Benjamin traded the salty seas for the serene fields of Lockhartville, Nova Scotia, where he continued to be a farmer until his retirement from sailing in 1875. Typical, right? You fight in a war; you’ve dodged cannons and mines, and what do you do? You cultivate crops and raise barns. A true man of substance!

For decades, Benjamin lived a quiet life on his farm, some might say he was the poster boy for “living your best life.” However, despite his brave deeds in battle, the final chapter of his life remained unwritten in the eyes of many—his grave unmarked until 2010 when a headstone was finally erected. It seems that the heroes of history often find themselves lost to time, like a missing sock after a trip to the laundromat.

In a world that often overlooks the humble champions among us, let’s raise a glass (or a pitchfork) to Benjamin Jackson—a courageous Canadian sailor turned farmer whose adventures and legacy should inspire all of us to live boldly and remind us that sometimes, life’s most captivating stories are hidden in the archives, waiting for the right moment to be told.

So, as you step into a new year filled with fresh possibilities, take a page from Benjamin’s book: whether you’re sailing through turbulent waters or planting seeds for the future, make your mark—adventurously! Cheers to that!

Wikipedia article of the day is “Benjamin Jackson”.
Check it out: Article-Link