Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-02-07
THE HOME OF GEN. JACKSON.
Memories Of the Old HermttaSe


Memories Of the Old Hermitage.
CELEBRATION OF SILVER wEDDING-THF
BRIDE THE ONLY DAUGHTER OF GENERAL
JACkSoNS ADOPTED son.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, Jan. 81, lS7S-For wars
an oppressive silence has hung over the home
ol Andrew Jackson, his beloved Hermitage
II miles from this city. During the lifetime OF
tle ora HeheIal II was the scene OF many gay
reNel when thronged by merry hearted Young
people, whom he loved To gather about him
twenty-five years ago the only daughter of
Gen. JackSon's adopted son, Rachael Jack son.
was united In marriage TO DIR. j. NJ. Lawrence
ana on that anniversary they again went
through with the marriage formula i'm the pre-
Sence OF the children and a few other friends
1hele is an interesting history connected with
the couple. In the meridian of life Gen. Jack
son found himself without children and With
out hope OF any. His heart yearned for some
child TO love, and who would in turn love him
About this time the wife of Severn Donelson,
who was Mrs. JackSon'S brother gave birth to
twin boys. and one of them was immediately
taken to the Hermitage and chriStened An
drew jackson. The other is Thomas Donel-
son, at present resident of Philadelphia
L his child grew up at the Hermitage and
was the only claimant to the name of Andrew
jackson, and the only heir OF the hermitage
estates. In course of time other nephe VS.
were taken and provided for, but no others
were ever given the right to call themselves
eWS, and one about whom there has been a
conflict of identity with Andrew Jackson ir
was Andrew Jackson DOnelSOn, for years pri-
vate secretary to President Jackson, and
whose wife was lady of the White House dur
ing his administration. During Gen. Jack
sons ad administration his adopted son was I'M
married In Washington society he met Miss
Sarah York, of Philadelphia, and after an ar
dent wooing married her and brought her to
his home at the Hermitage. Years passed on
ana family, consisting OF three sons, one of
whom died In infancy, and a daughter, sprang
up to waken the echoes of the Old building
These children were named Andrew Jackson,
Sd, Samuel jackson and Rachael Jackson,
whose silver wedding has just been observed,
and 1t was to them that Gen. jackson gave
his dying blessing.
In 1913 the Hermitage estates were sold in
the state of Tennessee, $4,000 being paid
therefor. Bonds were issued for the amount
OF which only $1,000 have been redeemed
After the sale Andrew Jackson, jr., continued
his residence at the Hermitage, ana even up to
the present time it has continued to be the
home of his family without intermission. After
the death OF Gen. Jackson, the flow of life at
the Hermitage was undiSturbed by the outer
world until the civil war. And now what de-
clSl0n could the adopted son of Gen. jackson
make? In the corner of the garden slept the
great man who had said the Federal Union
must and shall be preserved and around
him We're friends brothers, and sons casting
their lots with the Southern Confederacy. A
strict neutrality sealed the lips of Andrew
JackSon'S adopted son, and he devoted him.
SELF more sedulously and exclusively to domes-
Tic concerns. The family at the Hermitage
now consisted of Andrew jackson and his
wife, and sister of the latter, Mrs Marion
Adams: The war came to close, and buton
OF the two sons who had put their armOr on
returned to the hallOwed Hermitage. Samuel
jackson fell in battle, but Andrew Jackson
Sd, returned, bearing the title of Colonel, and
covered with honor, having served with dis
tinction throughout the war. Death had fire.
quently broken into the little circle In the
year 1884, Andrew jackson, jr., was hunting
and passing carelesSly over a fence he held
his hand over the muZzle of his gun. A stray
branch struck the hammer and shattered the
hand, producing painful but not, it was sup
posed, dangerous wound. But lock jaw set in
and Gen. JackSOn'S adopted son was laid be
side him in the corner of the garden.
Col. Andrew Jack son. now the sole repre-
sentative of the Jackson name. devoted him
sell to the service and support of his aged
mother and her sister. To him the arena of
politics was closed: he had cast his fortunes
with lost cause, and came out empty handed
There was nothing left for him but to devote
himself, as his father did before him. to do
mestic pursuits. Less than a year ago Mrs
Marion Adams died. Mrs. jackson was then
asked IL she would not prefer leaving place
it will not be long now.'' Here she came wears
ago a happy bride: here here children were
born, and here her happieSt days were passed
and here she desires to live the remainder of
her allotted years. The garden, containing the
tomb of Gen: Jackson is full of beautiful flow
erS that in Summer fill the air with perfume
while the ivy and cedar mingle their branches
with the weeping willow that signs above the
tomb. The family of DR.. Lawrence reside in
the neighborhood of the Hermitage, and the
loved grandmother is tenderly cared for. The
. years of married life has passed i'm great do
nestle happiness, and a numerous family.
consisting of four daughters and five sons,
blessed the union. Col. Andrew jackson never
married. He is now above IS years of age.
AT the silver wedding DR.. and Mrs. Law
renee wore the Self-same costumes that graced
the occasion y years ago. The niue children
The youngest OF whom is about years of age,
stood up with their parents as attendants. or
all the near relations that were present on the
first occasion there were at the last only Mrs
Jackson the brides mother, and one brother
Col: jackson, and these comprise the remnants
OF the family that grew up and gaddened life
at the Hermitage.-[C0r ". Y. Times.