“Have you recovered from the Abraham Lincoln post yet? This one won’t be nearly as long, I promise!”
“While our 17th President isn’t considered to be one of our best, I tend to give him a break because he had huge shoes to fill in a most tragic time in our history.”
“It’s my honor to celebrate and pay tribute to the life of Andrew Johnson.”
ANDREW JOHNSON BIRTHPLACE – “Located in Mordecai Historic Park in Raleigh, North Carolina, Andrew Johnson was born on December 29, 1808 in this two-room shack. This one-story building with a loft originally stood at 123 Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh and had been moved four times over the years; finally ending up at Mordecai Historic Park.”
“The house had only two rooms and Johnson later used his humble beginnings as a political asset.”
“When I was in Greeneville, Tennessee, I saw a replica of this small house. The only difference was the duplicate featured the chimney on the opposite side of the house.”
“There was no doubt Johnson’s birthplace home looked a lot better now than it did before it was moved from its original location.”
“Do you see what I mean?”
ANDREW JOHNSON BIRTHPLACE SITE – Located at 123 Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, Andrew Johnson was born on December 29, 1808 in a small two-room shack on this lot.This small monument marks the approximate location of the building where Andrew Johnson was born. It’s believed the house was an outbuilding for Casso’s Inn, which was located here.”
“The original house was moved from this location sometime between 1880 and 1884.”
“It wasn’t until 1887 when the site was identified as Andrew Johnson’s birthplace.”
ELIZA McCARDLE – “At age 16, Eliza married 18-year-old Andrew Johnson in Greeneville, Tennessee on May 17, 1827. Mordecai Lincoln, the cousin once removed of Abraham Lincoln, presided over the nuptials. When her husband became President in 1865, Eliza was in poor health and stayed secluded in the upper floors of the White House while their daughter served in the role as hostess.”
ANDREW JOHNSON HOME – “After his marriage to Eliza McCardle in 1827, Andrew Johnson moved into this home in Greeneville, Tennessee. He and his family lived here until 1851.”
“When Andrew Johnson got married, he knew the letters of the alphabet but could not write. He never attended a day of school in his life.”
“Johnson was a tailor by trade. Soon after moving into this house, he opened his own tailor shop.”
“During my third trip to Greeneville on May 15, 2021, I had the opportunity to visit the Johnson home at night.”
“There was no doubt about it, standing at the window of the Johnson home during the quiet of night seemed eerie to me.”
ANDREW JOHNSON TAILOR SHOP – “Located in Greeneville, Tennessee at the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site, this tailor shop was purchased by Johnson in 1834.”
“The tailor shop was moved into this memorial building to protect it from the elements.”
“Because he couldn’t write, and could barely read, Johnson’s wife would read to him while he worked in his tailor shop. This tutoring sparked an interest in learning, which eventually led to his political career.”
“I’m standing above a leather strap and large shears owned and used by Andrew Johnson in his tailor shop.”
“It amazed me when I discovered Johnson never attended school, yet he became President of the United States. Maybe there’s hope for Biden yet.”
UNITED STATES CAPITOL – “In 1842, Andrew Johnson was elected into Congress as a Representative from Tennessee – a position he held for ten years.Johnson believed, as did many Southern Democrats, that the Constitution protected private property, including slaves, and thus prohibited the federal and state governments from abolishing slavery.”
“Andrew Johnson returned to the Capitol when he was elected to the United States Senate. Johnson served from October 8, 1857 until March 4, 1862, during which he was a controversial member of the Senate.The Tennessee Senator stated that “all men are created equal” from the Declaration of Independence did not apply to African Americans, since the Constitution of Illinois contained that phrase—and that document barred voting by African Americans.At the same time, Johnson was a very wealthy man who owned 14 slaves. Just three years after he left the Senate, Abraham Lincoln invited Andrew Johnson to be his Vice President during his second term.”
ANDREW JOHNSON HOME SITE – “As Military Governor of Tennessee from March 12, 1862 to March 4, 1865, Andrew Johnson lived in a house located a few hundred yards southeast of the State House in Nashville, Tennessee.”
“While he was the Military Governor of Tennessee, Johnson occasionally visited the field. This desk accompanied him on those danger-filled excursions.”
KIRKWOOD HOUSE SITE – “About five hours after Abraham Lincoln’s death on April 15, 1865, Andrew Johnson took the oath of office in his room at the Kirkwood House on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C.”
“This is a drawing of the Kirkwood House before it was razed in 1875.”
“I’m standing next to the Bible that was used to administer the Oath of Office to Andrew Johnson by Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase.”
“After the ceremony on the third floor of Kirkwood House, President Johnson gave an impromptu inaugural address, which began with him begging the cabinet to remain with him and then attacking the Confederate States of America with such venom, that one witness remarked “It would have been better had he been struck dumb.”
“Andrew Johnson had been Vice President for only 42 days before his unexpected rise to the White House. He had huge shoes to fill and it would’ve been a difficult job for most anyone in those circumstances. It took nearly two months after Lincoln’s death before Johnson moved into the White House.Andrew Johnson was a Democrat and constantly battled Congress over Reconstruction of the South.”
MARTHA JOHNSON PATTERSON – “Due to her mother’s illness, eldest daughter Martha served as White House hostess during her father’s Presidency. Martha oversaw a $30,000 renovation of the White House, which had fallen into disrepair during the Civil War.”
“When the President and Secretary of War Edwin Stanton locked horns over Reconstruction, Johnson tried to fire Stanton. That move led to the first, but definitely not the last, Presidential impeachment trial in American history.”
“On display next to me are a few U.S. Senate impeachment tickets that were used during the 1868 Andrew Johnson Impeachment Trial. The 54 Senators voted 35-19 “guilty”; which was one vote short of the necessary two-thirds vote to remove Johnson from office.”
“Since it was painful for Johnson to write because of a broken arm that wasn’t set properly, the President used this rubber stamp and ink to apply his signature to letters and documents.”
ANDREW JOHNSON HOMESTEAD – “In 1851, Andrew Johnson purchased this two-story house in Greeneville, Tennessee. It would be the last home he would own.Although Johnson owned this house in 1851, he didn’t reside there much until 1869 – which was after his Presidency.”
“During the Civil War, soldiers occupied the house and left it in disrepair.As I stood in the center of South Main Street for this photo, I was nearly hit by a white motorized trike, and I thought I saw the woman on back blow me a kiss as they sped past.”
“This was my favorite view of Andrew Johnson’s home. From this spot, I could see the street front, the home’s elaborate back porch, and some of the back yard.”
“I’m in the backyard of the Johnson homestead and it’s easy to see the two-level porch that highlights the rear of the home.”
“The Johnson family loved to sit on this porch and look out over their farmland and fruit trees.”
“As I stood on the porch with the Johnson’s backyard behind me, I wondered how many times Andrew stood on this very spot and gazed out at his property.”
“When the Civil War was over and Johnson returned to Greeneville in 1869 after his Presidency, he and his wife whipped the home back into shape.Let’s open the door, shall we, and enter the world of Andrew and Eliza Johnson.”
“I’m standing in the main entryway of the Johnson Homestead. At that moment, I was very close to several of the President’s personal walking sticks which were just to my immediate left.”
“Because the Andrew Johnson homestead remained in the family, most of the furnishings inside were authentic to the President. In this image, I’m standing in the parlor.”
“Andrew and Eliza’s parlor was where they would entertain guests. I imagined the President partied like it was 1869 in that room!”
“Many years later during home renovation, it was discovered that Confederate soldiers had left a note on the wall that said: “Andrew Johnson – the old traitor”. Eliza had the graffiti covered with wallpaper.”
“This was Andrew Johnson’s bedroom with his personal top hat sitting on his bed. Eliza’s portrait hung above the headboard.I couldn’t believe my photographer talked the NPS Ranger into setting me on the President’s original bed.”
“Even more astounding was the fact the quilt I’m standing on was made in the 1800s and I was within a foot of President Johnson’s personal top hat.”
“The library desk, which is also in Johnson’s bedroom, was used by his grandchildren while in the White House.”
“I’m in Eliza Johnson’s bedroom where she had spent many of the last days of her life suffering from tuberculosis. Next to her favorite chair is the small bowl that she frequently vomited in.”
“It seemed strange to me that husbands and wives had separate bedrooms during that time period. This was Eliza Johnson’s bed.”
“This was the Johnson’s dining area of the home. Did you notice the picture frame with the Masonic symbol on the far wall? That’s because Andrew Johnson was one of the 15 American Presidents who were freemasons.”
PATTERSON HOUSE – “Located outside of downtown Greeneville, Tennessee, Andrew Johnson acquired this farmhouse in the 1850’s from a slave owner who mistreated his slaves. Once acquired, Johnson gave this home to his daughter Martha Johnson Patterson.On January 15, 1876, Eliza Johnson died in this house at age 65 from tuberculosis. She had outlived her husband by about six months.”
“I’m standing on the original gate entrance to the Patterson farm.”
“Andrew Johnson visited his daughter here occasionally during the remainder of his life. Like her mother 25 years earlier, Martha died in this house in 1901.”
UNITED STATES CAPITOL – “Former President Andrew Johnson was elected into the United States Senate for the second time in his political career. He took the Oath of Office on March 4, 1875. Andrew Johnson is the only former President to serve in the United States Senate.Johnson spoke only once in session when he lambasted President Grant for his policies in Louisiana. The newly elected Senator said: “How far off is military despotism? May God bless this people and God save the Constitution.”
OLD STOVER HOUSE – “Built in 1797 in Elizabethton, Tennessee, this small two-story home was once owned by Daniel and Mary Stover. Dr. Dan Schumaier purchased the dilapidated house in 2004, moved it to his property just outside of Elizabethton, and had it restored.”
“During a political trip to Ohio that began on July 28, 1875, Andrew Johnson stopped at his daughter Mary Stover’s house in Elizabethton to spend the night. His other daughter, Martha, was also there.”
“On his first day at the house, Johnson suffered a stroke, but refused treatment until the second day. The former President suffered a second stroke on the evening of July 30, 1875.The next morning, on July 31, 1875, Andrew Johnson died in a second-story bedroom of his daughter’s house. He was 66 years old.“
“I’m standing on the mantel of the first-floor fireplace where I had a great view of a portrait of Mary Stover – Andrew Johnson’s daughter.”
“Now I’m in the upper floor bedroom where President Andrew died. Even though the bed I’m standing on was a reproduction, it was a true honor for me to be in this room.”
“As I stood on the bed, which was situated in the same place as Johnson’s original deathbed, I got to see the last thing the President ever saw in his life. The ceiling!”
“Although the bed was a replica, the floorboards in the bedroom were original. I’m standing on the floor where Andrew Johnson once walked and near the spot where he died.”
“This chest of drawers I’m standing on was owned by Daniel and Mary Stover and was situated in the second-floor bedroom. The portrait above me was of Charles Johnson, the President’s eldest son and Mary’s brother.”
“As I stood on this vanity once owned by the Stover’s, it was though I could see Mary looking in the mirror as she braided her hair.”
“From my vantage point on the bedroom fireplace mantel, I looked at the bed and thought about President Andrew Johnson.At roughly 2am on July 31 1875, the President drew his last breath in this room. He was gone at age 66.”
OLD STOVER HOUSE SITE – “Located along the Watauga River, a few miles east of downtown Elizabethton, Tennessee, we found the original site where the Old Stover House stood when Andrew Johnson died on July 31, 1875.”
“This is a photo of the Old Stover House in its original location before it was moved the first time.”
“This was the view of the Watauga River from the Stover House site. Andrew Johnson likely saw the same river whenever he visited his daughter Mary.”
ANDREW JOHNSON NATIONAL CEMETERY – “Located in Greeneville, Tennessee, this was once part of 23-acres of property owned by Andrew Johnson. During the Civil War, it became known as ‘Signal Hill’ because it overlooked the town and soldiers would signal from here. Johnson was laid to rest here on August 3, 1875. In 1878, Johnson’s family had the 28-foot-tall marble monument erected over his grave. From that point on, this area was called ‘Monument Hill’.”
“The former President was buried with his body wrapped in an American flag and a copy of the U.S. Constitution was placed beneath his head; this was done according to his wishes.”
“After sunset on May 14. 2021, the cemetery was open and I got my first look at Andrew Johnson’s gravesite at night. Bob Moldenhauer used the veil of darkness to climb the fence and place me on the monument for the first time.”
“The following morning, I found myself once again standing on Andrew Johnson’s monument, thanks to Bob.”
“It was a wish-come-true for me to stand on Johnson’s tombstone. From that perspective, however, I thought the ornate sculpture behind me was a large bowling trophy.”
“That’s Tom posing at the Johnson tomb during our visit in 2021.”
“My first visit to Johnson’s tomb came on August 20, 2017. It was the 31st Presidential gravesite my photographer and I had visited together.”
“A nasty storm blew in just as I finished my second visit to Johnson’s gravesite.”
“My third visit in 2021 was the most memorable – as it was when Bob Moldenhauer scaled the fence and placed me on the monument.”
“That’s all folks for my tribute to Andrew Johnson. I hope you enjoyed the post.”
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!
