Southerners Go South

After the Civil War, many Southern families found themselves uprooted—economically devastated, socially unmoored, and in search of a new beginning. One such family, the Jacksons of Charleston, North Carolina, charted a course that led them far from the familiar. Instead of rebuilding in the American South, they boarded a ship and sailed to the Bay Islands of Honduras, settling on the lush, sea-encircled island of Roatán.

The patriarch who led the Jackson family from Charleston, NC to Roatán was Joseph Cromwell Jackson, the grandfather of Nelson Jackson. According to local accounts documented in PÄYÄ magazine, Joseph Cromwell Jackson migrated to Roatán just after the American Civil War, making him the original pioneer of what would become a long-established island lineage.

While details are scarce about the exact logistics of the family's voyage, historical context gives us a strong clue: like many displaced Southern families of the era, the Jacksons would have traveled by ship, sailing from the ports of the Carolinas to the Bay Islands of Honduras in the late 1860s or very early 1870s.

The Bay Islands, which include Roatán, became accessible and attractive to settlers precisely during that time, following shifting political and economic tides. In 1861, Britain formally ceded Roatán to Honduras under the Wyke–Cruz Treaty, opening the door for English-speaking families—like the Jacksons—to settle there

At the time, Roatán was a haven of opportunity for adventurous families. With its English-speaking Garifuna communities, deepwater harbors, and fertile soil, it became a natural refuge for displaced Southerners seeking peace and possibility.

One of the most respected living members of the Jackson family is Nelson Jackson, born in 1928 in the heart of French Cay. As the grandson of Joseph Cromwell Jackson, Nelson carries forward a remarkable legacy with quiet strength and enduring faith. Now in his 90s, he still lives on his family land, tending a lush garden, raising livestock, and captaining a 90-foot shrimp boat named Cabo II. Over the years, he even did some shrimping in Jacksonville, Florida! It really is a small world.

Known for his wisdom, work ethic, and deep Christian faith, Nelson Jackson remains a living bridge between Roatán’s past and present—a reminder that the best legacies are lived, not just inherited.

From post-war Charleston to present-day Roatán, the Jacksons have lived a remarkable story. I understand that they still maintain a bit of their old Southern accent when they speak, which should help me to feel at home. I’m grateful for the chance to learn from their legacy, capture some of the beauty they’ve long called home, and bring a little bit of that wonder back with me.

More than a century and a half later, the Jacksons are still a vibrant part of the Roatán community—preserving stories, shaping culture, and making art. One standout member of the modern-day Jackson clan is Shawn Jackson, a gifted photographer whose gallery captures the stunning contrasts and vibrant life of the island he calls home.

This month, as Julie and I enjoy a month’s sabbatical in Roatán, I’ve reached out to Photographer Shawn Jackson to learn more about his work and get some local advice. Not only do we hope to see Roatán through the eyes of someone who knows it well—we’re also looking to find the perfect spots for underwater reef photography, one of the island’s greatest natural treasures.

For me, this is more than a sightseeing excursion. Over the past few months, I’ve been building a saltwater reef aquarium at home—a tiny, living window into the mystery and brilliance of God’s underwater world. To witness the real thing, teeming with life just beneath the waves of Roatán, will be a full-circle moment.