The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-09-16
"Unc|s" Alfred Buried With
nsnoTs by Women Of Nashville.
he LOVED HIS NOTED MASTER
Married In The Great Hall Of III, Tsnnsssss
"RsrmlIags"- Lies Near Tomb
Of General Jackson

Nashville. sept. ls.-old Uncle" Alfred
jackson is dead The announcement will
recall TO many persons in various quar-
ters a long avenue of trees terminated
by a stately colonial house and white
haired negro. as a conspicuous figure
about II.
The house was once the home of An
drew Jackson, the negro his body SER
want.
Few strangers stop at Nashville with
a days time at their disposal that fail
10 visit The Hermitage. Old Uncle Al
fred was always present TO act as guide
and recount many interesting experiences
in his life, arising from his long associa-
ton abou, the place.
thus his friends grew 20 be many and
widely distributed. With his death is
wiped out one Of the most conspicuous
example, of the ugh type old-timc slave.
Born on the farm soon after Gen Jack
son . spurchase OF it.four more years would
have rounded out century Of life there.
Selected for faithfuluess. A. tho trusted
body servant of "Old Hickory he dis
proved the saving that no man Is hero
to his valet
The nations hero Of the battle Of New
orleans was evcr hero 30 bis serving
man AZ master. hc likewise showed
On appreciation of the good qualities OF
his servant When the latter was mar
ried he was given the especial honor OF
having the ceremony take place iu the
great hallway that hisects tho house and
the weddins supper MAS served In Mar
ser's big dinin-room
when The master died Alfred was one
of the chief mcurners. Ncissitudes OF
var or of peace had never wrought
changes in his loyalty Andrew Jackson
left no chndreS or his own. bur left an
adopted son that bore his name. For
yecunisrv reasons the son disposed Of the
place. tho state becoming the purchaser,
and granting 10 him and his wife the
privilege of continuing In II as their home.
In 1855. both Of them Aeng then dead.
A. became necessary 10 make anal dis
position of the property.
The Ladies' Hermitage association was
organized under the supervision Of the
legislature. and the pledge assumed 'tc
b.autify. preserve and adorn The Her
n,itagc. throughout all coming years.
The ladies retained Alfred IN his olC
xcis a. care taker and guide until h'
grew too enfcebled with age FOR duty
Then II became their pleasure 20 rrovid'
him with all the comforts In his cabir
that stood near the home.
#. When. ~ last. the summons came FOL
Trim 20 follow "Oe Marser. after the Iona
years Of waiting. he made tho request
that his body should be buried In the
garden near his tomb
These women. many OF whom have ten.
6er remembrances ~ faithful slaves. ard
know the strength Of the bond, took
pleasure IN carving out Alfreds request
They allowed his body to stay over hight
sn hts humble cabin. for he had slept un.
der No other roof for more than fifty
rears.
There according 90 their custom The
Negroes he'd an all-night watch. inter
erersed with sirF;rg and PRAYING On th'
morrow the body was removed and las
IN state in the great hall. whore Alfred
marriage had been celebrated
From the city tho ladies journeyed a.
m orgsriys ion 20 do honor to the faith
sut drad ard niace uron his coffin a las
vrinuteof rssneet IN their presence and 8
large gatherinr ~ colored folk Alfred
rcdy was lsid 90 rest upon the spot o
sris own choosing and master and slsv
Or ~eumor ground await the resurrection
MORN