Nimitz Library

Richard H. Jackson Papers, 1802-1988 (bulk 1883-1971): Finding Aid

Published in April 2016

Summary Information
Biographical Chronology of Richard H. Jackson
Description of Contents
Arrangement
Access and Use
Acquisition and Appraisal
Related Materials
Processing and Other Information
Subject Headings
Contents List

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Summary Information

Publisher: United States Naval Academy. Special Collections & Archives.
Publisher Address:
589 McNair Road
Annapolis, Maryland 21402-5029, USA
Phone: 410-293-6917
https://www.usna.edu/Library/sca/index.php
Call number: MS 432
Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
Title: Richard H. Jackson Papers
Dates: 1802-1988
Bulk Dates: 1883-1971
Size: 20.25 linear feet
Container Summary: 23 manuscript boxes, 10 flat boxes, 4 oversize folders
Creator: Jackson, Richard H. (Richard Harrison), 1866-1971
Language(s) of material: English, Spanish
Abstract: Richard H. Jackson was an officer in the United States Navy and a member of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1887. The Jackson Papers document various naval career experiences and personal interests of Jackson, including his role during the Apia Cyclone of 1889, his service on the Asiatic Station and with the Battle Fleet, his work with torpedoes, the Great White Fleet, and his service in France during World War I, as well as his associations with various other military leaders. An additional seven boxes of material, much of it related to Jackson's wife, Catherine Sampson Jackson were acquired in 2022 consisting mainly of correspondence with his wife, Catherine Sampson Jackson, and his wife's diaries and journals.

Biographical Chronology of Richard H. Jackson

1866

Born on May 10 in Tuscumbia, Alabama.

1883

On June 4, enters the United States Naval Academy, having been appointed by Representative Luke Prior.

1887

In June, graduates from the United States Naval Academy, having completed the four-year academic course.
In June, begins his two years of sea service aboard U.S.S. Boston (Protected cruiser).

1889

On January 21, is attached to U.S.S. Trenton (Screw steamer).
On March 16, leads a group of sailors in forming a human sail on Trenton's rigging during the Apia Cyclone.
On June 30, is discharged from the United States Navy, having failed to secure a commission.
In the Fall, enters the University of Virginia Medical College.

1890

In July, receives an MD degree from University of Virginia.
On September 26, is commissioned in the United States Navy as an ensign by Special Act of Congress, ranking from July 1, 1890.
On October 17, is ordered to U.S.S. Yorktown (Gunboat: PG-1) as Watch and Division Officer.

1894

In November is detached from U.S.S. Yorktown for service as Assistant Inspector at the Midvale Steel Works.

1896

On March 5, is attached to U.S.S. Cushing (Torpedo boat: TB-1), with successive service aboard U.S.S. Puritan (Monitor: BM-1), U.S.S. Foote (Torpedo boat: TB-3), and U.S.S. Gwin (Torpedo boat: TB-16).

1897

Marries Catherine Sampson, daughter of Admiral William T. Sampson.

1898

Promoted to Lieutenant (junior grade).

1900

In June, is ordered to the Training Station, San Francisco, for passage to the Asiatic Station.
On July 31, is attached to U.S.S. Nashville (Gunboat: PG-7).

1903

On October 1, reports to the United States Naval Academy as an Instructor in the Department of English and Law.

1905

On January 12, assumes command of U.S.S. Atlanta (Protected cruiser), in reserve at Annapolis.
On July 1, is promoted to Lieutenant Commander.
On August 27, is attached to U.S.S. Colorado (Armored cruiser: ACR-7) as Navigator and later as Executive Officer.

1908

In June, reports as Assistant to the Inspector of Ordnance in Charge, Naval Proving Ground, Indian Head, Maryland, serving later as Inspector in Charge.

1909

In August, is detached for duty with the Atlantic Fleet's target practice at Hampton Roads.

1910

On July 1, is promoted to Commander.
On November 29, sails for Manila to join the Asiatic Fleet.

1911

On August 12, receives command of U.S.S. Albany (Protected cruiser) of the Asiatic Fleet, later serving as Commanding Officer of U.S.S. Helena (Gunboat: PG-9).

1912

In December, is attached to the United States Naval Academy.

1913

In April, is detached from the Academy for service with the Navy Department's General Board.

1915

On May 16, assumes command of U.S.S. Virginia (Battleship: BB-13).
On July 11, is promoted to Captain.

1917

On June 2, reports as to Commander U.S. naval Forces Operating in European Waters as Liaison Officer to the French authorities in Paris.

1918

In March, is assigned to additional temporary duty in London with the Inter-Allied Naval Council Meeting.
In May, is appointed Naval Attaché at Paris.
On December 3, reports to the Office of Naval Intelligence.

1919

On January 26, reports as Senior Officers, U.S. Naval Forces, Bermuda.
On April 8, assumes command of U.S. Fleet's Azores Detachment, assisting in the guarding of the NC planes on their transatlantic flight.
On November 26, is ordered to the Naval War College for instruction.

1920

Graduates from the Naval War College.
On November 23, is attached to the General Board.

1921

On June 3, is promoted to Rear Admiral.

1922

On January 12, assumes command of the Pacific Fleet's Battleship Division Six, later redesignated Battleship Division Three.

1923

In July, reports to Washington, DC for duty as Assistant Chief of Naval Operations.

1925

On October 5, assumes command of Battleship Divisions, Battle Fleet, with the rank of Vice Admiral.

1926

On September 4, is appointed Commander-in-Chief, Battle Fleet, with the rank of Admiral.

1927

In September, is relieved as Commander-in-Chief, Battle Fleet.
On October 3, returns to duty with the General Board with the rank of Rear Admiral.

1930

On February 4, is relieved of all active duty pending retirement.
On May 10, is transferred to the Retired List.

1942

On July 16, is advanced to the rank of Admiral on the Retired List.

1971

On October 2, dies at Balboa Naval Hospital in Coronado, California.

Description of Contents

The Richard H. Jackson Papers, comprising 20.25 linear feet of documentation, span from 1802 to 1988, focusing on Jackson's career in and retirement from the United States Navy, from 1883 until 1971. The papers document various experiences and interests of Jackson, including his role during the Apia Cyclone of 1889, his service on the Asiatic Station and with the Battle Fleet, his work with torpedoes, the Great White Fleet, and his service in France during World War I, as well as his associations with various other military leaders. An additional seven boxes of material, much of it related to Jackson's wife, Catherine Sampson Jackson were acquired in 2022 consisting mainly of correspondence with his wife, Catherine Sampson Jackson, and his wife's diaries and journals.

Included in the collection are letters, memoranda, photographs, diaries, notebooks, scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, regulations, ships' publications, certificates, medals, and various pieces of ephemera and memorabilia.

The Jackson Papers are organized into five series by mostly by document type. Series 1: Subject Files, comprising roughly one third of the entire collection, offers an overview of Jackson's life, naval career, and personal interests. The materials held herein range from Jackson's official U.S. Navy records, such as his commissions and collected Navy regulations, to items of personal and biographical significance, such as letters regarding his relation to William T. Sampson. The series is also home to much of the collection's documentation on the 1889 Apia Cyclone, Jackson's education, his Naval commands, and his personal associations. Additional details of Jackson's U.S. Navy career and personal life can be found in Series 2: Diaries, Notebooks, and Scrapbooks, including the exploration of such topics as the Chilean Revolution and the sinking of submarine U.S.S. S-4. Series 3: Catherine Sampson Jackson Papers, the only series organized by person instead of document type, has subseries organized by document type consistent with other series. The series, consisting of letters, ephemera, journals, and scrapbooks, contains additional correspondence with her husband, but mostly with her father, William T. Sampson and other family members. Her papers also include a number of dance or hop cards, primarily from events at the Naval Academy. Series 4: Photographs, consisting of black-and-white photographs and postcards, largely comprises Jackson's collection of portraits of contemporary military leaders and images of contemporary American and foreign naval vessels. The final series in the collection, Series 4: Artifacts and Memorabilia, consists largely of Jackson's military decorations, as well as other uniform components, such as insignia, belts, and a scarf.

Arrangement

The Richard H. Jackson Papers are organized into the following five series:

Series 1: Subject Files, 1802-988
Series 2: Diaries, Notebooks, and Scrapbooks, 1891-1971
Series 3: Catherine Sampson Jackson Papers, 1875-1927
Subseries 3a: Correspondence, 1875-1919
Subseries 3b: Ephemera, 1879-1928
Subseries 3c: Journals and Scrapbooks, 1880-1927
Series 4: Photographs, 1866-1971
Subseries 4a: Portraits, 1883-1969
Subseries 4b: Ships, 1866-1969
Subseries 4c: General, 1883-1971
Series 5: Artifacts and Memorabilia, 1898-1933

Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The Richard H. Jackson Papers are the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.

It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.

Acquisition and Appraisal

Provenance and Acquisition

Gift of C. Bucey Wilde in September 2001. Accession No. 01-18.

Additional material purchased in May 2022. Accession No. 22-26.

Related Materials

Related Archival Material

Additional material pertaining to Jackson's time as a midshipman and subsequent naval career may be found in his Midshipman Conduct Record and Alumni Jacket, Special Collections & Archives, Nimitz Library.

Additional personal papers of Jackson's may be found in the Richard Harrison Jackson Papers, 1917-1930, at Stanford University's Hoover Institution Library.

Materials Cataloged Separately

The following nine books and one LP have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately:

Agate, James, ed. Speak for England: An Anthology of Prose and Poetry for the Forces. London: Hutchinson & Co., 1939. The Book of the United States Navy. New York: The A.B. Benesch Co., 1905. Colasanti, Joseph M.. Our Navy and Defenders. New Rochelle, N.Y.: Knickerbocker Press, 1926. Corbesier, A.J. Theory of Fencing; with the Small-Sword Exercise. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1873. Gen. Joseph Wheeler Proceedings in Statuary Hall of the United States Capitol upon the Unveiling and Presentation of the Statue of Gen. Joseph Wheeler by the State of Alabama, 1925. Hart, Robert A. The Great White Fleet; Its Voyage Around the world, 1907-1909. Boston: Little, Brown, 1965. Henderson, Wilfred. Seamanship. Portsmouth, Eng.: J. Griffin, 1907. Swan, Ernest William. The First Commission of H.M.S. Calliope, January 25th 1887-April 30th 1890. Newcastle upon Tyne: A. Reid, 1939. Williamson, Stanley H., ed. Who's Who in the Nation's Capital, 1929-1930. Washington: Ransdell Inc., 1930. Navy Music. Recorded Publications, Inc. Recorded in 1956. 33 1/3 rpm.

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Richard H. Jackson Papers, MS 432

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Processing Information

This collection was processed by David D'Onofrio in April 2016. Additional material was processed by Adam Minakowski in May 2025. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in April 2016 and ammended by Adam Minakowski in May 2025.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

Bucey, Charles
Colorado (Heavy cruiser : CA-7)
Hurricanes -- Samoan Islands
Jackson, Richard H. (Richard Harrison), 1866-1971
Samoan Islands -- Storm, 1889
Sampson, William Thomas, 1840-1902
Torpedoes
Trenton (Screw steamer)
United States. Navy -- Cruise, 1907-1909
United States. Navy -- Officers
United States. Navy -- Officers -- Pictorial works
United States. Navy -- Regulations
United States. Navy. Asiatic Fleet
United States. Navy. Pacific Fleet
Virginia (Battleship : BB-13)
Warships -- United States -- History
Warships -- United States -- Pictorial works
Yorktown (Gunboat no. 1)

Genre Terms

Administrative regulations
Certificates
Clippings (information artifacts)
Correspondence
Dance Cards
Diaries
Manuscripts
Medals
Newspapers
Notebooks
Photographs
Postcards
Printed ephemera
Scrapbooks
Visiting Cards

Contents List

Series 1: Subject Files, 1802-1988 Boxes 1-13, 24 [OS], 32 [OS], MSOS, MSXOS

Series Description

Documentation of various aspects of Jackson's life and naval career, as well as topics of general interest to Jackson. The events and duty stations from Jackson's U.S. Navy career most heavily represented in the series include Jackson's actions aboard U.S.S. Trenton (Screw steamer) during the Apia Cyclone of 1889, his service aboard U.S.S. Colorado (Heavy cruiser: CA-7) during her Asiatic and Pacific assignments, his command of U.S.S. Virginia (Battleship: BB-13) leading up to World War I, his service in France during World War I, his command of the Azores detachment of U.S. Naval Forces in Bermuda, commands in the Battle Fleet, and his work with torpedoes. The series also includes materials on Jackson's Navy associates, such as Wat T. Cluverius, Joseph James "Jocko" Clark, Robley D. Evans, Chester W. Nimitz, and William T. Sampson, the latter of whom was Jackson's father-in-law.

Included in the series are letters, memoranda, newspaper clippings, regulations, ships' newspapers, pamphlets, event programs, speeches, certificates, magazine and journal articles, calling (visiting) cards, and various pieces of ephemera.

Included in the series is a selection of U.S. Navy regulations spanning Jackson's career, as well as ship's newspapers and cruise books contemporary with Jackson's service aboard U.S.S. Colorado.

Series Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by topic and document type.

Box 1 Folder 1

American Club of Paris, 1927

Club yearbook.

Box 1 Folder 2

Annual Dinner Dance, 1947-1951

Dinner dance for San Diego Area flag officers. Tucked into one of the event programs are several poems and clippings unrelated to the event.

Box 1 Folder 3

Apia Cyclone/U.S.S. Trenton - Commission Documents, 1889-1890

Correspondence and documents pertaining to Jackson's actions at Samoa and subsequent efforts to petition Congress to commission him an Ensign. Includes correspondence from Benjamin F. Tilley.

Box 1 Folder 4

Apia Cyclone/U.S.S. Trenton - Elsie Stewart Kimberly, 1966

Box 1 Folder 5

Apia Cyclone/U.S.S. Trenton - General Correspondence, 1892-1972

Box 1 Folder 6

Apia Cyclone/U.S.S. Trenton - Naval Historical Foundation, 1965-1971

Includes Jackson's recollections of the hurricane on this 99th Birthday and Rear Admiral Lewis A. Kimberly's history of the hurricane.

Box 1 Folder 7

Apia Cyclone/U.S.S. Trenton - Notes and Recollections, 1889, undated

Includes unpublished recollections as well as the official report entitled "Disaster at Apia, Samoa."

Box 1 Folder 8

Apia Cyclone/U.S.S. Trenton - Reunions, 1922-1942

Box 1 Folder 9

Bathurst-Ball Wedding, undated

Box 1 Folder 10

Biographical Sketches and Interviews, 1971, undated

Box 1 Folder 11

Birthday Greetings, 1960-1969

Includes non-birthday greetings from shipmates and families of shipmates, the effort to promote Jackson the honorary rank of Fleet Admiral, an invitation to participate in a Naval Institute oral history, invitations to events, letter of appreciation from Admiral Zumwalt, and a thank you for condolences from Catherine Nimitz.

Box 1 Folder 12

Birthday Greetings, 1969-1970

Box 1 Folder 13

Birthday Greetings, 1971, undated

Box 2 Folder 1

Boat-book, 1905

Box 2 Folder 2

Carleson, Roger T., 1958

Letters, telegrams, and cards, including those from Secretary of the Navy John Chafee, Governor Ronald Reagan, Governor George Wallace, and President Richard Nixon.

Box 2 Folder 3

Certificates, 1883-1971

Includes Jackson's appointment as a Naval Cadet and a prize letter for captures made aboard U.S.S. Terror.

Box MSOS Folder 1

Certificates, 1898-1937

Includes Jackson's U.S. Navy commissions, and various diplomas.

Box 2 Folder 4

China Trip, 1907, 1912

Includes event programs, temporary club memberships, and news paper clippings. Several clippings from 1907 are about the Brownson affair.

Box 2 Folder 5

Clark, Joseph James "Jocko", 1952-1984

Box 2 Folder 6

Cluverius, Wat Tyler, 1952, undated

Box 2 Folder 7

Colonial Annapolis, undated

Pamphlet produced by the Washington, Baltimore & Annapolis Electric Railroad Company.

Box 2 Folder 8

European Trip - Ephemera, 1912

Programs, hotel bills, and menus from Jackson's cross-Europe trip from duty on the Asiatic Station to the Naval Academy.

Box 2 Folder 9

Evans, Robley D., 1951-1957

Material pertaining to Rudyard Kipling's "Inscription to Robley D. Evans." Also includes material on Rufus Fairchild Zogbaum.

Box 2 Folder 10

Funeral Book, 1971

Guest book from Jackson's viewing/funeral. Includes obituaries.

Box 2 Folder 11

Genealogy, 1960-1968, undated

Includes publications related to Jackson's family tree.

Box 2 Folder 12

Great White Fleet, 1907-1988

Includes material on reunions and a 1908 souvenir booklet from the fleet's visit to New Zealand. Also includes material on Chief Harry Morris.

Box 2 Folder 13

Hope, Bob, 1971

Salute to Bob Hope aboard U.S.S. Providence.

Box 3 Folder 1

Jackson, Catherine Sampson - Personal Correspondence, 1892-1893

Written during his assignment aboard U.S.S. Yorktown.

Box 3 Folder 2

Jackson, Catherine Sampson - Personal Correspondence, 1896 January - October

Written during his assignment aboard U.S.S. Cushing. Includes letters regarding their engagment.

Box 3 Folder 3

Jackson, Catherine Sampson - Personal Correspondence, 1896 November- December

Includes three letters from Jackson's sister, Kate, enclosed in letters to Catherine. Jackson was transferred to the U.S.S. Puritan in the middle of the month.

Box 3 Folder 4

Jackson, Catherine Sampson - Personal Correspondence, 1897 January - August

Written just before and after their marriage and during his cruise to Charleston and New England aboard the U.S.S. Puritan. The Michael-mass daisy referred to in letter 14 was removed.

Box 3 Folder 5

Jackson, Catherine Sampson - Personal Correspondence, 1897 September - October

Written during his cruise to the Hampton Roads area aboard the U.S.S. Puritan

Box 3 Folder 6

Jackson, Catherine Sampson - Personal Correspondence, 1897 November - 1898 March

Written at the beginning of his assignment aboard the U.S.S. Foote. Includes being stationed in Key West during the lead up to the Spanish-American War, the investigation into the U.S.S. Maine explosion and Capt. William T. Sampson assuming command of the North Atlantic Squadron.

Box 4 Folder 1

Jackson, Catherine Sampson - Personal Correspondence, 1898 March - May

Written aboard U.S.S. Foote while stationed in Key West during the lead up to and the beginning of the Spanish-American War. Includes mention of the Battle of Cardenas.

Box 4 Folder 2

Jackson, Catherine Sampson - Personal Correspondence, 1898 June - July

Written aboard U.S.S. Foote during the Spanish-American War. Includes mention of the Battle of Santiago, the ensuing Sampson-Schley controversy, and mismanagement of the Army.

Box 4 Folder 3

Jackson, Catherine Sampson - Personal Correspondence, 1898 August - September

Written aboard U.S.S. Foote and while in temporary command of the U.S.S. Givin during the Spanish-American War. Includes his assignment to the U.S. Naval Academy's English Department.

Box 4 Folder 4

Jackson, Catherine Sampson - Personal Correspondence, 1899 January, June, September - 1900 February

Includes a letter to Kate from Margaret.

Box 4 Folder 5

Jackson, Catherine Sampson - Personal Correspondence, 1900 July - October

Written while serving in China, primarily aboard the U.S.S. Nashville during the Boxer Rebellion.

Box 4 Folder 6

Jackson, Catherine Sampson - Personal Correspondence, 1901 January - April

Written while serving aboard the U.S.S. Nashville primarily in the Philippines during the Philippine-American War.

Box 5 Folder 1

Jackson, Catherine Sampson - Personal Correspondence, 1901 May - July

Written while serving aboard the U.S.S. Nashville in the Philippines and en route to Europe.

Box 5 Folder 2

Jackson, Catherine Sampson - Personal Correspondence, 1901 August - December

Written while serving aboard the U.S.S. Nashville en route to the Mediterranean and in France.

Box 5 Folder 3

Jackson, Catherine Sampson - Personal Correspondence, 1902 January - June

Written while serving aboard the U.S.S. Nashville in the Mediterranean.

Box 5 Folder 4

Jackson, Catherine Sampson - Personal Correspondence, 1902 July - 1903 January

Written while serving aboard the U.S.S. Nashville in the Mediterranean and Carribean.

Box 5 Folder 5

Jackson, Catherine Sampson - Personal Correspondence, 1903 March - September

Written while serving aboard the U.S.S. Nashville while mainly in the Carribean.

Box 5 Folder 6

Jackson, Catherine Sampson - Personal Correspondence, 1905

Written while serving aboard the U.S.S. Colorado as part of its shakedown cruise and initial deployment. Includes mention of Jackson's promotion to lieutenant commander.

Box 5 Folder 7

Jackson, Catherine Sampson - Personal Correspondence, 1906 January - March

Written while serving aboard the U.S.S. Colorado.

Box 6 Folder 1

Jackson, Catherine Sampson - Personal Correspondence, 1906 April - October

Written while serving aboard the U.S.S. Colorado.

Box 6 Folder 2

Jackson, Catherine Sampson - Personal Correspondence, 1906 November - 1907 April

Written while serving aboard the U.S.S. Colorado.

Box 6 Folder 3

Jackson, Catherine Sampson - Personal Correspondence, 1907 May - 1908 May

Written while serving aboard the U.S.S. Colorado.

Box 6 Folder 4

Jackson, Catherine Sampson - Personal Correspondence, 1911

Written while stationed at Cavite and in China aboard the U.S.S. Albany during the 1911 Chinese Revolution.

Box 6 Folder 5

Jackson, Catherine Sampson - Personal Correspondence, 1912 January - March

Written while serving aboard the U.S.S. Albany during the 1911 Chinese Revolution.

Box 6 Folder 6

Jackson, Catherine Sampson - Personal Correspondence, 1912 July - December

Written while serving aboard the U.S.S. Helena during the 1911 Chinese Revolution.

Box 7 Folder 1