“In 2014 I took a little trip, along with Colonel Jackson down the Mighty Mississip.”
“Please join me as I pay tribute to one of my least favorite Presidents…”
“The one and thankfully only, Andrew Jackson.”
ANDREW JACKSON STATE PARK – Andrew Jackson was born on March 15, 1767 in the Waxhaw region of the Carolinas. The state park was built on the plantation site of James Crawford where Jackson may have been born.
“This monument, in the Andrew Jackson State Park, marked the location of his Uncle James Crawford’s plantation where it’s possible Andrew was born.In 1824, Jackson wrote a letter stating that he was born at the Crawford Plantation in South Carolina; but that letter may have been politically motivated.”
“This statue of Jackson as a youth was located in the state park and fairly close to the birthplace marker that’s in the distance behind me.”
GEORGE McCAMIE CABIN SITE – Located in North Carolina, just three miles from the Andrew Jackson State Park in South Carolina, this is the possible birthplace site of Andrew Jackson who was born on March 15, 1767. “This monument, located on a desolate road roughly one mile from the South Carolina border, was erected on the site of the George McCamie cabin where Jackson may have been born.”
“The base for this monument was built from boulders taken from the chimney of the McCamie cabin.”
“Over the years, vandals have chiseled Jackson’s name on the monument, which irritated me to no end.”
This area where McCamie’s cabin once stood was so remote I expected Sasquatch to make an appearance. Shortly after this photo was captured, I heard a thunderous noise in the nearby brush that likely was a ‘Squatch’.
“Had we hung around longer, this is what we likely would have experienced.”
CHRISTOPHER TAYLOR HOUSE – The small two-story cabin located in Jonesborough, Tennessee was built in 1777 for prominent resident Christopher Taylor and his family – which included ten children. “This is the Christopher Taylor house in downtown Jonesborough, Tennessee. Its original location was about a mile outside of town and the cabin was moved to this location along Main Street in 1974.”
“The Taylor’s took in boarders to help with income; one of the boarders was a young lawyer named Andrew Jackson.”
“The Taylor house is reputed to be haunted by the ghost of Andrew Jackson. As a matter of fact, people have seen Jackson walk up to the locked front door and disappear into the building.”
“As I stood at the front door, I waited to be knocked over by the ghost of Andrew Jackson. Unfortunately, that never happened.”
THE CHESTER INN – Built in 1797 by Dr. William P. Chester of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the historic inn was located in downtown Jonesborough, Tennessee next to the Christopher Taylor House. “I accidentally stumbled upon the historical Presidential significance of the Chester Inn during my visit to the Christopher Taylor House.”
“The Chester Inn played host to three Presidents over the years, including Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk, and Andrew Johnson.”
“In the summer of 1832, President Andrew Jackson held a reception for his friends on this porch of the Chester Inn.”
“From the historic porch where Jackson once partied, I could see the nearby Christopher Taylor House. The Taylor House would not have been there during the 1832 Jackson reception.”
RACHEL DONELSON ROBARDS – In what turned into a huge scandal in the late 1700s, 26-year-old Rachel Robards married 27-year-old Andrew Jackson “legally” in the Donelson’s Nashville home on January 17, 1794. When Rachel and Andrew married the first time in 1791, she was not yet officially divorced from her husband. It was during their honeymoon on the Natchez Trace, sharing a blanket under the stars, when it was revealed she was still legally married to another man.
THE FIRST HERMITAGE – Located several hundred yards behind The Hermitage, the First Hermitage is a small cabin where the Jackson family lived after Andrew purchased the property in 1804. “It was a long, hot walk out to this cabin and the place was crawling with kids. I got lucky to be photographed alone.”
“I am standing on the mantel of Jackson’s fireplace.”
UNITED STATES CAPITOL – When Andrew Jackson was inaugurated on March 4, 1829, he became the first President to take the Oath of Office on the East Portico of the Capitol. “Jackson’s wife, Rachel, died of a heart attack at The Hermitage on December 22, 1828 at the age of 61. Rachel was buried at The Hermitage in the white dress and shoes she had bought for the inaugural ball.”
THE WHITE HOUSE – Following his inauguration speech, President Jackson invited the public to the White House where his supporters had a wild party. The party got out of control and some minor damage to the White House occurred.
“Days after the wild party, Jackson earned the nickname King Mob!”
EMILY DONELSON – Niece of the late Rachel Jackson, Emily took the role of White House hostess during Andrew Jackson’s administration. She continued that role until November 26, 1834 when Sarah Yorke Jackson came to the White House. They shared the role of co-hostess until Emily died of tuberculosis at the age of 29 on December 19, 1836.
SARAH YORKE JACKSON – As daughter-in-law to Andrew Jackson, Sarah arrived at the White House on November 26, 1834 and became co-hostess with Emily Donelson. When Emily died, Sarah continued the role as White House hostess until Jackson’s term expired in 1837.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CHAMBER – Andrew Jackson’s second inauguration was held on March 4, 1833 in the House Chamber inside the United States Capitol. “Jackson delivered an inaugural speech where he said he was humbled to be re-elected as President. He also pledged to make a sincere effort to improve the lives of the America people. First-time Vice President Martin Van Buren did not give an inauguration speech.”
UNITED STATES CAPITOL – On January 30, 1835, disturbed house painter Richard Lawrence attempted to assassinate President Andrew Jackson as he left the East Portico of the Capitol Building following the funeral of Congressman Warren Davis.
“Lawrence fired his single-shot derringer at a distance of 13 feet from Jackson and the gun misfired. After the President lunged at the gunman with his cane, Lawrence fired a second derringer from point-blank range. It, too, did not fire. Both weapons had malfunctioned.”
“During his eight years in the White House, President Jackson spearheaded the Indian Removal Act, which led to ‘The Trail of Tears’ enforced by his predecessor Martin Van Buren. In the waning years of his second term, some of Jackson’s decisions led to the Panic of 1837, which drove the U.S. economy into a depression that lasted four years.”
THE HERMITAGE – This mansion, located just outside of Nashville, Tennessee, was built in 1835 and served as Andrew Jackson’s home until his death on June 8, 1845. “After Jackson’s second term in office ended on March 4, 1837, he left the White House and retired to The Hermitage.”
“Rachel Jackson, Andrew’s beloved wife, died inside The Hermitage on December 22, 1828 at the age of 61.”
“Over 16 years later, on June 8, 1845, Andrew Jackson died in this mansion at the age of 78.”
“The President’s last words were: “What is the matter my dear children? Have I alarmed you? Oh, do not cry. Be good children and we will all meet in Heaven.”
“I wanted to stand on Jackson’s tombstone, which was located near Rachel Jackson’s beloved garden, but I was never alone long enough to scale the four-foot-high fence that surrounded the burial site.”
“Do you notice the disgusted look on my photographer’s face? It’s due to his hatred towards President Jackson for his treatment of Native Americans during his time in power.”
“My first and only visit to the gravesite of Andrew Jackson came on July 7, 2014. My next visit is scheduled for April 19, 2024.”
ANDREW JACKSON – Located in President’s Park in the center of Lafayette Square, the 15-ton statue of the seventh President was completed in 1852 by American sculptor Clark Mills. The statue of Jackson was the first equestrian and first bronze statue cast in the United States.
“I hope you have enjoyed my half-hearted tribute to Old Hickory. My photographer and I plan to visit The Hermitage again on April 19, 2024, and I’ll have more images to share and add to this presentationupon our return.”
My name is Thomas Watson and I've been a U.S. history fanatic since I was 9 years old. In 2013, I decided to take my passion to the next level when I purchased a Thomas Jefferson bobble head with the sole intention of photographing that bobble head at Presidential sites. From that first day on July 10, 2013 at Spiegel Grove in Fremont, Ohio, this journey has taken on a life of its own. Now, nearly 40,000 miles later, I thought it was time to share the experiences, stories, and photos of Jefferson's travels. Keep in mind, this entire venture has been done with the deepest respect for the men who held the office as our President; no matter what their political affiliations, personal ambitions, or public scandals may have been. This blog is intended to be a true tribute to the Presidents of the United States and this story will be told Through the Eyes of Jefferson. I hope you enjoy the ride!
