As the son of a Harry Jackson the Elder, a "Regular Branch Pilot of the First class," free black Harry Jackson Jr. grew up navigating Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and was apprenticed by his black father into the trade, as well as taught to read and write. His intention was to follow in his father's footsteps in the profession. When Harry Jr. was nearing the age of twenty, in 1802, a law prohibiting people of color from acting as branch pilots was passed, which nevertheless allowed those already engaged in the profession to continue plying their trade. As Harry Jr. was then already serving as an apprentice to his father, he thought he would qualify under the special allowance clause of the law. He points out to the legislature that his "character & skill as a Pilot is well supported by the annexed certificate of a number of the most respectable Merchants & Gentlemen of Norfolk." He asks to be permitted "to Enjoy the rights of a Pilot," and that the legislature pass a special act allowing him to be examined for a pilot's license by "the Examiners appointed by Law."
Result: Bill drawn.
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Repository: Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
