The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-02-15

Meeting with financial disasters, he was
forced to sell his improved farm, and open
another upon his wild lands, about two
miles west Of Hunters Hill, which he
named the Hermitage. He removed there
in 1904. He occupied two-story hewd-
log house until 1921, when he removed
into a new and commodious brick edi6ee,
about two hundred yards northwest from
the old residence that he had constructed
while Governor of Florida. This building
was destroyed by FIRE in 1896, with all its
furniture and many valuable relics. 1t
was replaced by the Hermitage mansion
known to the present generation. This,
when first built, must have been regarded
as a rather imposing structure, and it will
still favorably compare in appearance with
most private residences in the vicinity.
A more eligible site for residence might
have been found on the place, but from
some cause Mrs. Jackson preferred this,
and her wishes were law to him, whose
will was law to everybody else.
In 1855 five hundred acres Of the Her
mitage property, including the mansion,
were purchased by the State Of Tennessee
for the sum of $780, 900. This money An
drew Jackson, jr., invested in planting
operations in Mississippi; but they proved
unsuccessful, and some years ago he re-
turned to the Hermitage, where he re-
mained as a sort Of tenant at will, until
his death in 1865. His widow aud son
still reside there. Mrs. Jackson is now
past seventy years of age, and 10 very fee
bic health. On the occasion Of my visit
she was confined to her bed and able to
see no one,
The parlor is the only room opened to
visitors. 1t is in about the same state as
to furniture and appointments that it was
when the General died. The walls are
hung with family portraits. Those which
attract the greatest attention is one Of the
General, by Healy finished only few
days before his death, and that of his wife,
by Earl. The former was painted upon an
order from Louis Philippe, King of the
French, and this, presume, to be dupli-
cate by the same artist 1t is striking
and admirably executed picture, and is ev-
idently very faithful likeness Of the aged
hero in mis- last illness, when he could sit
10 the artist but few moments at time,
so weakened was he by disease and mfr
nifty. The great shock Of snow-white hair
the wrinkled forehead, and deeply scanned
and emaciated face the firm mouth and
piercing blue eye, looking still undimmed
from the canvas, are SO life like and yet SC
death-like, that long study of the picture
excitcs emotions of mingled admiration
and pain.
That of Mrs. Jackson, his wife, is much
more pleasing than one would expect from
what has been written of her plainness
1t is a bright, cherry looking face, moi
beautiful, but kindly aud lovable. Tn,
eyes are really fine, and beam with beney
olence and good nature. l am surprisst
that the publishers of Parton's Life of the
General did not procure an engraving O
this portrait. 1t would certainly have ad
ded to the interest of the work
There was shown US the Generals ia
vorite chair, which he occupied for many
painful and weary days aud nights during
his last sickness There is also chair L
be seen which once belonged to Washing
ton, and was presented to the General b,
Mr. G.. w. p. Gusts In the parlor stand
small upright cabinet which is filled will
mementoes, but unfortunately the key
could not be found, and we had no oppor
tunity to minutely inspect them. A larg,
Latin Bible, over 200 years old and bounC
in vellum, with brazen clasps, lay on tn,
table. 1t was the gift of some admirinI
friend, unaware of the fact, l presume
that the General knew more Of Choctav
than he did of Latin, although Harvar,
College had conferred upon him the de
gree Of LII. ID. We also saw and exam
ined with some curiosity a rusty bayone
firmly imbedded in the root Of a tree whicl
had evidently grown around it. II wa
found on the New Orleans battlefield.
large and valuable collection of relics, a
| have said, was lost by the fire which de
stroyed the mansion in 1886.
In a room in one of the wings Of tn
house abutting upon the piazza is kept tn
pheton made from timbcrs Of the old shi
Constitution, and presented to the Genera
just before he retired from the Presidency
In it he and his successor, Martin Val
Buren, rode from the White House TO tn
Capitol, when the latter was inaugurated
March 4, 1887. We enjoyed peep at
through window 1t presents yer,
faded and rickety appearance, and unles
soon repaired and rspainted, will hardl
last as long as Holmes "0ne- Horse Shay.
But the condition of the historical pha
ton is much in keeping with its surround
ings. The Hermitage il in sad state O
dilapidation and decay, and all the i'm
provements are in ruinous condition
As the State owns the property, it is surel
its duty to provide for its preservation
But this is hardly to be expected while /
is higgling whether it shall settle with il
creditors at thirty or fifty cents on tn
one dollar, or repudiate its entire indebt
edness altogether.
In the corner of large garden adjoin
ing the mansion is the family burial-pace
Under marble pavilion, supported by pill
lars Of the same material, repose the re
mains of the General and his wife. Tw,
plain slabs indicate where they respectiyel
lie. That on the left is thus plainly in
seribcd;
GENERAL