The Washington times., 1901-09-15
ANDREW JAcKsoN's SERVANT.
Death of the Last of the ServitOrs mt
the Tennessee Hermitage.

1
Old Uncle Alfred Jackson, the former
bodyguard of Gen. Andrew Jackson. and
the last survivor of the old circle of fam
lily servants at the Hermitage, died
Wednesday night at $40 o'clock at the
age of ninety-six.
| Until a short time before he died I'm
| Gle Alfred was conscious. AS the shad-
| ows of evening fell he grew reminiscent
of the days when the historic old home
place was at the height of its glories. re-
| hearsing familiar stories to his son Gus,
who is himself something like sixty years
| OF age. The aged darky ate a hearty
supper. but after the meal he began to
| show signs of mortal weakness. and he
realized that his summons had come at
| last to join his old-time ''marSter Dr.
n 7. Johnson was summoned. and wait
ed with his son, Gus. by the bedside until
the end came. His death was due to old
age.
Uncle Alfred for years had been an in
teresting figure around the Hermitage.
He had been in feeble health fer more
than year past. and those accustomed
to seeing his familiar figure and hearing
his quaint stories of the Hermitage never
failed to visit him in his cabin.
Uncle Alfred was born on the Hermit
age farm shortly after General Jackson
made that spot ais home, and had never
left the place.
During the lifetime of General Jackson
Alfred was one of mis- most valued ser
wants and when the great man came to
die, on June s, 1Si5, the faithful negro
was present. This memorable death
scene has been one of the old mans most
cherished "reminiscences. Weep not for
mel Weep for yourselves,' are words
that he had repeated to almost every Wis
it5r to the Hermitage.
One of the most remarkable character
istics of the aged servant was his ex-
treme loyalty to General Jackson Other
men attained to some sort of reputation,
but none ever reached that pinnacle of
fame achieved by General Jackson. An
Illustration of this was in a meeting with
ex-President Rutherford b. Hayes. The
darky was introduced to the ex-President,
and those who had presented him listened
for the original and remarkable greeting
that was assured, but they were hardly
prepared for his: Eff you had been as
great a man GinraI Jackson, could
a most shuck your hand OFF,
Mrs Sarah jackson had given to her by
General Jackson a girl named Gracey,
and she became Alfred's wife. They were
after the expiration of the second Presi-
Dental term, and lived together for fifty
years.
During the war Alfred and Gracey of
all the servants alone remained at the
Hermitage, and he delighted in serving
his mistress, Mrs. Sarah Jackson. To
drive her in the great coach to the Hermi-
tage church was his greatest delight.
During and after the civil war Alfred
was the guide around the place, and not
only received, but entertained, all visit
ors In time he came to be one of the
greatest attractions, and no visitor was
content to leave the place without having
seen and heard Uncle Alfred. He was a
remarkably Intelligent man. and it was
surprising to hear him tell his stories in
his own quaint way, with the old planta-
ton lingo in his speech. His delight knew
no bounds at every additional piece of
relic furniture that was returned to the
Hermitage, and he Immediately told
where it was accustomed to sit in the old,
old days, and all of its history. Even
after he became confined to his cabin he
would tell again to visitors the story of
the battle of New Orleans and the man
tlepieee made on January g.
Two years ago he came to the city for
the last time and had some pictures TAX
en-. These always sold readily, as visitors |
after seeing hir., always wanted his pic
ture After the organization of the La
dies Hermitage Association he became |
its ward. and the members supplied him |
with every comfort. His wants were few |
and simple. though he was provided with |
he wished. A comfortable easy
chair made the last months of his life I
pleasant. and his expressions of gratitude
were many.
The old servant occupied a log cabin
just north of the house. where he had liv-
ed for many years. One of his greatest /
desires was to be buried in the garden
near the last resting place Of his former
master. his ideal of all greatness This
wish will be complied with. and the old
man will be buried just north of the tomb
Of Gen. Andrew Jackson. by the direction
Of the Ladies Hermitage Association
Nashville American.