The Washington herald., 1907-03-24
JACKSON'S HOME LIFE
Old HickOry's Last Days POr-
trayed in Family Diary.
TYPICAL SOUTHERN HOUSEHOLD
Mrs. Raphael semmes Charlton
AdamE) Tells Of Her Early ReeOI-
IectiOns of the Hermitage and Its
Master-An Account of the Gem
erals Last Days and His Funeral.

will of Andrew Jackson is Marion Adams,
writes Mrs Raphael Semmes In the New
Orleans Picayune. She was my grand
mother. and also the sister of Sarah
Yorke, who married Andrew jackson, jr.
These two sisters with their combined
] families lived at the Hermitage after
the President retired from the political
world and for many years after his
death. which occurred in 1876.
/ In possessing a few things which Ma
rion Yorke Adams held dear, I turn with
interest the pages of neatly bound little
volume In black and gilt. On its well-pre-
served pages are autographs. verses origi-
nal. and also copies of lines and hymns
that she admired most. But pausing
/ longer, I find several pages given to the
Hermitage two weeks prior to the death
Of Andrew Jackson; also detailed ae-
count Of the funeral services.
And now through tie vista of years. the
same sweet hymns echo down TO US as
/ theg, like the history OF this grand pa
/ triot viii watt down the corridors of
time
Sunday morning. May 1S ls45, two
weeks prior 10 the death OF the dear gen
eral. was a day of the communion OF the
Lords Supper in the Hermitage Church.
He appeared unusually solemn that morn
ing. and regretted exceedingly that he
| could not accompany his dear daughter,
Sarah Jackson. and myself to church,
and requested his daughter to invite the
Rev Mr.. Lapsey to return home with us.
and he would partake of the sacred feast
at home. He took rs both by the hand
and said God bless you both.
/ After We returned from church the
family assembled in the generals room.
He was very feeble. but conversed upon
J religious topics; was very calm, and said
/ he was ready TO so whenever he should
/ be called; that he had suffered a great
deal of bodily pain, but the Lord $ will be
done
"He partook Of the holy communion.
II was d solemn service-he very fire.
quently referred to his death, which he
felt confident. was not far distant-and
always showed by his conversation that
ne had no fears OF it. let 1t come when
il might. He would frequently say: I
cannot be much longer here. but when ]
have suffered sufficiently the Lord will
I take me to himself: but what are all my
] =
Blessed Saviour, who died upon that
cursed tree for me? Mine are nothing
JneksOn's Last Hours.
Not a murmuT was ever heard from
him: he bore all with surprising forti-
tude; he spent much time In silent prayer.
as was evident from the movements OF
/ his lips and hands.
"On Thursday evening previous to his
death / was sitting with him. He raised
I his head and said: What blessed promises
those are in the Portuguese hymn and
repeated
'' When thro' the deep waters I call thee
to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee over
flow
/ Then quoted many passages Of Scripture
/ and cOnyersed in a beautiful manner
upon the many invitations given by our
/ beloved Saviour for all to come unto
/ him. The Sabbath morning of his death
| ne 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 10 Sunday school. He
asked for them; they We're sent for. He
/ kissed each one and blessed and ad-
mOnished them. and said they had good
mothers, 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, Fathers do you know
meg
q" Know you? Yes, I would know you
an If I could see, but il is SO dark I
cannot see. Bring my spectacles.
4 He again recovered his sight and said.
/ Where is Marion2'
He took me by the hand, bid me fare
well, and said God will take care OF
you. Marion: weep not for me. I am my
1 God 81 belong 10 him; / 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
/ children and we will all meet in heaven.
The Generals Funeral.
Died at the Hermitage on Sunday
morning. at O'Clock. June S. ls45. Gen.
Andrew jackson, aged seventy eight
years. March Is. 1886. Was buried on 10th
of June. Divine services by the Rev. DR..
/ Edgar. Discourse from the seventh chap
ter, 1Sth-14th verses, Revelations. Read
the goth Psalm and sang the following
/ hymns:
why Do We Mourn Departed
/ Friends. Sd hymn, I'd book.
/ Why Should We Start and Fear to
| Die?' 3lst hymn. I'd book.
I Would Not live Always
| " How Firm Foundation, Ye Saints of
the Lord.
a large coneourse of persons attended
/ the funeral; estimated at $500. Body de-
DOgfted in Hermft9ga Vault
/ In the viii of Andrew Jackson is this:
/ "Sixth-TO my beloved and affeetionate
daughter, Sarah Jackson, wife OF my
adopted and well-beloved son. Andrew
4 Jackson, jr,, I hereby recognize by this
/ beluest the gift I made her on her mar
ge, the negro girl, Gracey, / bought for
/ her-and gave her TO my daughter as her
maid and seamstress, with her Increase,
&c, &c, TO her and her heirs forever.
/ This gift, my bequest, is made for my
great affection for her as a memento of
her uniform attention to me and kindness
on all occasions, and particularly when
worn down with sickness. pain, and de-
/ bility. She has been more than a daugh-
/ ter TO me, and hope she may never be
disturbed In the enjoyment of this gift
and Request by any one"
When l was a child Gracey was no
longer young; she was old. but erect and
vigorous taking as much interest in
sweeping and busting at the Hermitage
as she did in the days of long ago.
Beauties of the Hermitage.
When my yes first beheid the Hermit
/ tage I know not. but from infancy my
visits began, and as year succeeded year.
the beauties of its seclusion dawned upon
my young life linking and welding a
lasting charm. so that it was with joyful
expectancy those annual visits were look
ed forward to-
sthe final visit occurred in the seven