Jackson College

Columbia, Tennessee, United States · Est. 1830

About

Official

A defunct Presbyterian college in Columbia, Tennessee, founded in 1830 as a manual labor academy.

  • Founded in 1830 as Manual Labor Academy at Spring Hill, Tennessee
  • Relocated to Columbia, Tennessee in 1837
  • Presbyterian Church affiliation
  • Ceased operations during or after the American Civil War (burned by Union Army)
  • Notable alumni include two Tennessee governors and a Confederate general
  • Original curriculum required students to perform two hours of manual labor daily

History

Jackson College was established in 1830 as the Manual Labor Academy at Spring Hill, Tennessee, with an initial enrollment of seven students. Around 1832, it was chartered as Jackson College through legislative action. The institution relocated to Columbia, Tennessee in 1837, at which point the manual labor requirement was discontinued. During the American Civil War, the college was destroyed when Union forces burned Columbia, and it likely ceased operations at that time.

Academics

The college's original curriculum was distinctive for requiring each student to work two hours daily at manual tasks, primarily farming, as part of their education. This manual labor component was considered beneficial to student development and was maintained through the early years of the institution.

Notable Alumni

Jackson College produced several prominent figures in Tennessee history, including Neill Brown and John Brown, who served as the 12th and 19th governors of Tennessee respectively. Other notable alumni include Sam Watkins, an American writer and humorist, and Felix Zollicoffer, a Confederate general during the American Civil War.

Founded
1830
Courses
0
Total intake
Not yet verified
AffiliationPresbyterian Church
HousingNot available
Some details are still being verified.

Quick stats

Courses offered
0
Avg career outcomes
$35.2K
Total intake
Not yet verified
Housing
No
Data last verified June 2026 · compiled from official sources