Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1890-05-20
ELIZABETH JACKSON.



..0id Hickory"
Very little does history tell us o.
Elizabeth, the mother Of Andrew Jack.
son, yet the little we know shows her
worthy Of place by the side Of Mary,
mother OF Washington. When Andrew
was only five days old his father died,
at their home in North Carolina. A
month later Mrs. jackson, with her
three boys. removed to South Carolina,
about twenty miles north 70 where Ian
caster Court House was afterward built.
Here Andrews young days we're spent
Mrs, jackson was poor in this worlds
goods. and was obliged to toll early
and late TO provide for her family.
The two older boys helped all
they could, and obtained
seanty education at the district
school Elizabeth jackson was deter
mined that enc Of her children should
u eonseerated to the ministry, and An
drew was chosen for that calling. He
was placed in the Waxham Academy,
and was making excellent progress in
his studies when the first mutterings Of
the revolution were heard Andrew
was only twelve years Of age when the
royal troops. meeting with defeat at the
North. marched upon the more thinly-
populated South, and his older brother
joined the ranks and marched 10 battle.
When the intelligence came. soon after,
Of the death Of his brother, from sum
stroke, and Andrew saw his mother
overcome with grief, he resolved at once
to give up all thoughts Of the ministry
and devote himself to the service Of his
country.
shortly after this, when Andrew was
but little more than thirteen years Of
age, he, in company with his brother
Robert, enlisted, and were very soon
engaged in battle Their side hav-
ing met defeat the two lads were
made prisoners, and received the
most brutal and degrading treatment.
The officer in command drew sword
upon them both for refusing to per-
form some mental service and Robert
received a wound from which he never
fully recovered
Their mother, with her usual prompt
ness and resolution, travelled TO them,
and after much intercessi0n succeeded
in obtaining their exchange. But in
E
fined with two hundred and fifty others.
the smallpox mad broken out and both
sons had contracted the disease. Moth
ing could be done but to get them home
In company with FIVE released neigh
b0rs. Elizabeth Jackson and her sons
began their march OF forty miles. But
two horses coald be procured. one Of
which Mrs jackson rode. without saddle
or bride: and on the other Robert as
supported, for he was too sick and weak
to sit alone Andrew walked the entire
distance barefooted. though broken out
with smallpox A Short time before
reaching their home heavy rain set
in. drenching them 20 the skin The
eruption disappeared from the skin of
the boys and entered their systems.
Robert lived but two days. and for many
weeks the life of Andrew was despaired
Of. As soon as Andrew had recovered
\ cry for help came from their old
friends and neighbors. who we're sick
and dying IN the prison-ships at Charles
ton. Huddled toge Their like sheep-food,
medicine. the common comforts of life
denied them-Ho wonder they died BY
scores. Elizabeth Jackson was among
the first 10 respond TO the call. and with
four or five other women-taking what
few comforts they could with them
fastened to the relief Of the sufferers.
For some days they ministered As best
they could TO the needs Of the prisoners,
saving many lives no doubt and max
ing the lass hours Of others as confor--
able as possible
L