The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-08-26
For The Bloomfield Times
Guarding "The HERMITAGE"

soldier who was detailed as guard at the
Hermitage, the former residence of General Jack.
son, thus tells some Of his recoectons OF that
time:
I'm the spring OF 1866 was detailed by General
Thomas to report to Mrs. Sarah Jackson, at the
Hermitage as sale guard to the property and to
protect her and her sister, Mrs. Adams, from
wandering bands OF soldiers and civilians, who
desired to carry OIL all the movable property, as
relics. The hickory mante was great teinpta-
ton to these visitors, as they could handily pry
out pieces of it with their jack knives. The car
riage house was another point OF interest, and it
required all my attention to prevent parties from
cutting tassels off, and otherwise despOlling
them. Some person had broken spoke out OF
the wagon made out OF the ship constitution, and
carried II of before was sent there. On the 4th
Of July was considerably amused by an Incl
dent that happened In the carriage house. There
were two parties strangers to each other in the
carriage house at one time each party having
lady dressed in black; one Of these dark.r0bed
ladies asked my permission to get into the old
Generals state carriage, and gentleman of the
other party thinkingit it was his wife twho was the
and wickedly kissed her. Imagine the situation,
i can not describe 1t. The gents apology was
tnat ne thoqght nc g i was MS wife and he wanted to
sons carriage.
General Washlngtons office chair was also an
object of general interest, 1t stood in the hail.
and each visitor from the imposing Brigadier
down the vain Lieutenant would with great
ing no doubt that the mantsof Washington would
"a" The H library fi they all antsa te see and if ,sy
%es 6ey WoSa OF %OTf
that was in two or three. Inc coored servants,
especially old John, the body servant of the old
General made 1t pay, as lie Uotld sell them hickory
sticks for dollar a pibcH. Adj tell them they
were cut on the Hermite2c W)en in fact, they
were cut on AL. DOnellstn7 fHace, three miles
away. The tomb and the WRription on Mrs
Rachel JacksOn's slab wa4 her object of in
terest, and some of them fii0H<flt it would look
better decorated with their|L*WeS in red chalk
lead pencil or charcoal II*H would also put
their residence and 0ccupat0ttn it, Sometimes
would have to eject one &<|X Xese land scape
painters from the premSc .ben there were
well behaved respectable u p6011 taine to see the
Hermitage. would take Sl1zI1 delight In show.
ing all such people all there 6 ID see OF interest,
would even take them into {|l barlOr, the bed
rooms and all over the place. II Fl
Mrs. Sarah Jackson who In ti<Ef<jrlhood was
Philadelphia belle, is now 9Effb and amiabe
old lady, and she made my stay her family very
pleasant She Is very fond of rtIting anecdotes
and TecolectiOns of her residente Al the White
House, in Washington. and of 45fefal JacksOn's
history while he was President, 4iS0 OF John @.
Calhoun meeting with Jackson On1fhp street. and
saying,"I never turn out for fO6I5.f when old
Hickory took his hat under his arni and stepping
to the curb, replied II always do" aud left Cal
houn pass. FtWaH. b.