The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-04-12
JACKSON'S HOME LIFE
OLD HICKORY's LAST DAYS POR-
 PRAYED IN FAMILY DIARY.
Typical Southern Household Mrs. Raphael Semmes (Marion Adams)
 Tells of Her Early Recollec- tiOns of the Hermitage.

| The first signature as witness to the | will of Andrew Jackson is Marion | Adams, writes Mrs. Raphael Semmes ir The New Orleans Picayune. She was l my grandmother, and also the sister of Sarah Yorke. who married Andrew Jackson, Jr. | These two sisters, with their com .bined families, lived at the Hermitage | after the President retired from the po- l litical world. and for many years after his death, which occurred in 1S45. In possessing few things which Marion Yorks Adams held dear, turn with interest the pages of a neatly bound little volume in black and gilt On its well-preserved pages are auto | graphs. verses original. and also copies of lines and hymns that she admired | most. But pausing longer, I find sev- l eral pages given to the Hermitage | two weeks prior to the death of An drew Jackson; also detailed account | of the funeral services.
 Sunday morning, May IS. 1s45, two weeks prior to the death of the dear General. was day of the communion | of the Lords Supper in the Hermitage Church. He appeared unusually sol emn that morning. and regretted ex- ceedingly that he could not accom- pany his dear daughter, Sarah Jackson. and myself to church. and requested his daughter to invite the Rev. Mir. would partake of the sacred feast at home. He took us both by the hand and said: God bless you both
 After we returned from church the family assembled in the Generals S room. He was very feeble, but con- versed upon religious topics was very calm. and said he was ready to go whe1 1ever he should be called: that he had suffered a great deal of bodily pain, but the Lords will be done
 He partook of the Holy Communion It was a solemn service. He very fre- quently referred to his death, which he felt confident, was not far distant and always showed by his conversation that he had no fears of 1t, let it come when it might. He would frequently say: I cannot be much longer here, but when I have suffered sufficiently the Lord will take me to Himself; but to those of the Blessed Savior, who died upon that cursed tree for me? Mine are nothing.
 Jackson's Last Hours l Mot murmur was ever heard from him: he bore all with surprising fortitude; he spent much time in si- lent prayer, as was evident from the movements of his lips and hands.
 'On Thursday evening previous to his death I was sitting with him. He raised his hand and said: What bless ed promises are those in the Portu- guese hymn,' and repeated.
 "'when thro' the deep waters I call
 thee to go,
 The rivers of woe shall not thee over-
 fow.'
 Then quoted many passages of Scrip ture and conversed in beautiful manner upon the many invitations to come unto Him. The Sabbath morning of his death he conversed a long time, until he said he could talk no more. He took each of the little children by the hand; two of them had gone to Sunday school. He kissed each one and blessed and admonished them, and said they had good moth- CTS, that they must all be obedient children. Keep holy the. Sabbath day, and read the New Testament
 His son came and took him by the hand, and said, Father. do you know mel?
 "Know you? Yes, would know you all if I could see. but 1t Is so dark I cannot see. Bring my spec tacles.'
 He again recovered his sight and said, Where Is Marionr
 He took me by the hand, bid me farewell, and said God will take care of you. Marion. weep not for me, am my God's-I belong to Him; I go but a short time before you, and want to meet you all in Heaven. both white and black. What is the matter with my children? I have alarmed you. Do not cry. be good chiHiran and we will all meet in Heaven.
 The Generals Funeral.
 Died at the Hermitage on Sunday morning at o'clock. June 8, 1S45. General Andrew Jackson. aged seven- ty-eight years. Was buried on 10tfH of June. Divine services by the Rev. Dr.. Edgar. Dis course from the seventh chapter. 18th 14th verses. Revelations. Read the s0th Psalm and sang the following
 "why Do We Mourn Departed Friends Sd hymn. Ed book.
 "'Why Should We Start and Fear to Die S1st hymn, 2d book.
 CT Would Not Live Always
 "'How Firm a Foundation. Ye Saints of the Lord .
 "A large concourse of persons att tended the funeral; estimated at 2,50O. Body deposited in Hermitage vault"
 In the will of Andrew Jackson is this:
 sixth To my beloved and affec- tionate daughter, Sarah Jackson. wife of my adopted and well-beloved son. Andrew Jackson. Jr., I hereby rec oEnize by this bequest the gift I made her on her marriage, the negro girl Gracey. I bought for her and gave her to my daughter as her maid and seamstress, with her increase, etc, etc. to her and her heirs forever. This gift. my bequest, is made for my great effection for her as memento of her uniform attention to me and kindness on all occasions. and partic- ularly when worn down with sick