How did a jack lantern become associated with Halloween?

Jack-o -lantern was originally carved in a Swede or turnip to make a lantern, Its associated with a fairly unknown occurance called will-o-the-wisp This was said to be related to the misterious lights seen across the peat bogs of Ireland caused by escaping gas. The term Jack is not a person but old English meaning to workon or carve. Therfore jack-o-lantern was to carve a lantern. Again this comes from Britain and Ireland .

The lanterns mostly carved from Turnips at the time were used by home owners scare off evil spirits from their doors at a time when the dead where alledged to walk the earth