Jacob A. Blackington (usually spelled Blackinton) was from Wrentham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. He, along with his brother Lyman D. Blackington, mustered into service as privates in Co. F, 19th Massachusetts Infantry on August 28, 1861. According to his service records, Jacob was 21 and employed as a jeweller. Jacob was wounded (place and date not reported) and mustered out as a corporal on August 28, 1864. The letters were written to his sister, Hannah (b. ca. 1844), who lived in North Attleboro, Massachusetts with her widowed mother, Keziah Blackington (b. ca. 1807), and possibly to his youngest brother Lewis (b. ca. 1846). The collection also includes letters written by Andrew B. Blackington.