Albert Jackson (mail carrier) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Albert Jackson
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| Born | 2 November 1857 Milford, Delaware, U.S.
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| Died | January 14, 1918 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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| Children | 4 |
Albert Calvin Jackson (born November 2, 1857 – died January 14, 1918) was a very important person in Canadian history. He became the first Black Canadian mail carrier in Toronto, Ontario. When he started his job in 1882, he faced unfair treatment because of his race. He was even given a different, less important job.
However, people stood up for Albert Jackson. The Prime Minister at the time, John A. Macdonald, helped make sure Jackson got his original job back. Albert Jackson worked as a mail carrier from 1882 until he passed away in 1918. Today, he is remembered as a pioneer. He has been honored with a special plaque in 2017 and a postage stamp in 2019.
Albert Jackson's Early Life
Albert Jackson was born in 1857 in Milford, Delaware, in the United States. He grew up in a large family with eight brothers and sisters. His parents were John and Ann Maria Jackson.
When Albert was a young child, his older brothers, Richard and James, were forced to work without pay. This sad event separated the family. It is believed that Albert's father, John Jackson, later passed away in difficult circumstances.
After learning that four more of her children might also be forced to work, Albert's mother made a brave decision. She fled with seven of her children to St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. They traveled along the Underground Railroad, a secret network that helped people find freedom. Eventually, his two eldest brothers, Richard and James, were able to rejoin their family in Canada.
Albert Jackson later married and had four children. He lived a full life and passed away on January 14, 1918.
Facing Challenges and Making History
On May 12, 1882, Albert Jackson began working at the Toronto General Post Office. He made history by becoming Toronto's first Black mail carrier. However, his start was not easy. Some of his new co-workers refused to train him because of racism. At that time, many Black people faced unfair treatment and were often denied certain jobs.
Because of this unfairness, Albert Jackson was given a different job as a mail porter, which was considered less important. The Black community in Toronto was very upset by this decision. They believed it was wrong and spoke out strongly.
People wrote letters to newspapers to support Albert Jackson. A minister named Charles Johnson even called out the unfairness in a Black newspaper. He said it was absurd to deny Jackson his job just because of his skin color. This issue became a big topic in Toronto newspapers for several weeks.
The community held a large meeting to discuss the problem. They made it clear they wanted Albert Jackson to have his original mail carrier job back. A special committee was formed to investigate and gather support from the wider community. They highlighted the success of other Black professionals in Ontario, showing that Black Canadians could excel in any field.
Even though it was a difficult decision that could have cost him votes, the Prime Minister of Canada, John A. Macdonald, stepped in. He convinced the post office to give Albert Jackson his mail carrier job back. Albert Jackson returned to his role and continued to deliver mail until he passed away in 1918. He showed great perseverance and helped open doors for others.
Remembering Albert Jackson
Albert Jackson's contributions are still remembered and celebrated today. In 2013, a street in Toronto's Harbord Village was named Albert Jackson Lane in his honor.
He has also received other special recognitions after his death. In 2017, Heritage Toronto placed a plaque to tell his story. In 2019, Canada Post released a special postage stamp featuring Albert Jackson. More recently, in 2022, Canada Post named its new parcel sorting facility in Scarborough, Ontario, the Albert Jackson Processing Centre. These honors ensure that Albert Jackson's important legacy lives on.
