The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-04-21
LIFE AT THE HERMITAGE.
"Reminiscences OF the Last Year OF Andrew
JacIsonss Life

JacIxson's Life.
To THE EDITOR OF THE n. Y. SUN-Sir: 1
saw in the Sun of February IL a copy of
letter from the wife of Andrew jackson to her
husband. / send you the following remin-
iscences of the Hermitage during the last
year of General Jacksons life.
In 1874 / was in the South, and while in
Nashville. Tenn. Rev Dr. Edger. pastor of
the Presbyterian church of which General
jackson was member, invited me to 90
with him to the Hermitage. The visit re-
suited in my agreeing to prepare for West
Point grandson of the general IA son of
the "little Andrew" OF whom Mrs. jackson
writes so affectionately in the letter referred
toy, and for the Naval Academy a grand
nephew of the general IA son of Mrs. Adams,
sister of young Mrs. Jackson). About the
LIST of October, 1874, entered upon my
duties as tutor.
We devoted four hours day, and gener-
ally the same time in the evening, to study
An interesting service at about 9 o'clock in
the evening was held in the generals bed
room. The family, including house servants.
marshalled by "Uncle Dick" the generals
body servant and faithful attendant, assem-
bled for prayers A "portion of Scriptures"
was read, hymn was sung, in which all
joined and prayer was read by Mrs. Jack
son, all kneeling. Then the children, some
seven in number, had a good romp of 10 or
Is minutes, after which each child affection
ately and tenderly embraced and kissed the
general. We all shook hands with him, re-
ceived his "God bless you" and babe him
good night. Sometimes the children would
be rather noisy in their play, and Mrs. Jack
son would remind them that grandpa was
not well; but the general would say, "Let
them enjoy themselves, my daughter; they
will soon enough have care and trouble" A
more affectonate and obedieIt family could
nowhere be found. The children always
spoke of and addressed each other as "bro-
ther," SISTER" or ''cousin."
Speaking of the bargain and intrigue" of
Mr.. Clay, the only time L saw General Jack
son excited over politics was when young
man Ia Whig) visited him, and imprudently
asserted his belief of Mr.. Clay's innocence of
any such charge. The general became so
excited that L led the young man from his
room. He as firmly believed that Mr.. Clay
was rewarded with the office of secretary of
state by Mr.. Adams as II compensation for
the part he played in Mr.. Adams election as
in his own existence.
Frequently his old companions in arms
would make visits of from three to six days;
and it was a feast to be present and hear them
fight their battles over and recount their
haiI-breadth escapes. Mr.. Polk and his es-
Unable wife were there some two weeks be-
fore his Inauguration. He had private in
teviews daily with the general.
Reading of ga wife who loved her bus
band' reminds me that fine oil painting of
his wife was in every room the general fire.
quented-his bedroom, parlor, library, and
dining room-and in such position that he
he could by raising his eyes have full view
of it. The historical "white bell-crowned
hat" with the WIDE crepe was worn by him
till his last illness.
At that time it was necessary that candi-
dates for West Point and Annapolis should
be examined in the branches now required,
also elementary algebra and the rudiments
of Latin, but the general had them complete
algebra and read Caesar.
In April, having finished my work at the
Hermitage and been engaged by Gen. ID.
DonelsOn "a graduate OF West POINT to
teach in his family, was preparing to leave,
when the general told Andrew to settle my
bill. AS nothing had been said regarding
terms, made what / considered sufficient
charge to remunerate me well for my work.
and requested Andrew to deduct from it
what he chose for my board, attendance, etc.
The general heard the words board" and
attendance" and came to me, bringing
down his cane very emphatically. while fire
shot from his eyes and SAID, Mr.. S., did you
ever hear that Andrew Jackson kept hotel
or boarding house2 1 thought you were a
gentleman, not sordid, groveling Yankee"
Turning to his son he SAID: ANDREW, my
son, pay Mr. S. his bill in full; it is not half
as much as many would charge"
have heard fmen feeling little, but if I |.
did not wilt. then do not know the mean
ing of that Americanism. However, we
parted on good terms, and few weeks later
the nation was -alled to mourn the loss of a
good man, and one of infexible virtue and /
honesty. T. l.. S.