| HIST |
In this old cemetery are found the graves of many noted dead. Among them in the grave of Andrew Jackson, Sr. Marked by a table erected by the Rock Hill Chapter of D. A. R. in 1931, the simple inscription reads; “ANDREW JACKSON, SR. Born in Ireland, Date not given DIED FEBRUARY, 1767.” • Standing in front of this granite table with its simple inscription to the father who never saw his son, Andrew, Jr., who was born March 15, 1767, later to become illustrious as a soldier and as President of the United States, it was suggested by my traveling companions, Messrs. D. Reece Williams and S. B. Mahaffey, that we drive a few miles further and view the two places, at one of which he was born. The first site is located in Lancaster County (South Carolina) on the South Carolina side of the State line, the other is on the opposite side of the State line about a mile distant in Union County, North Carolina. Both sites have been designated by tablets erected by different D. A. R. Chapters. • The question of whether President Jackson was born in North Carolina or South Carolina has long been disputed. The question rests on whether he was born on the Eastern (i.e. North Carolina side), of the State line, where it runs directly North and South as a part of the boundary of Lancaster County, South Carolina. • Mr. Marquis James, in his “Andrew Jackson, the Border Captain” (1933), pages 268-74, reviews the evidence, with copious citations, but says the probabilities favor the conclusion that Jackson was born on the Crawford plantation in the later Lancaster County, South Carolina, and not in the McElhenny home in North Carolina. Prof. J. S. Bassett, formerly of North Carolina, in his “Life of Andrew Jackson” (1916), page 5-7, practically accepts the birth in South Carolina as established. • It is definitely known that Andrew Jackson, Sr., was a tenant on the farm of Captain Crawford, a large land owner of that section in 1767. • It is evident that Jackson, who maintained that he was born in South Carolina, began as early as 1815 examination of the evidence, which he found to confirm what he had always understood to be the location of his birthplace, that it was on the Crawford place in South Carolina. • Further confirmation is found in the proclamation against nullification issued by President Jackson on December 10, 1832, which was eloquent with affection both for his country and for the “Fellow citizens of my native State.” He argued at length the lawlessness of nullification, and sought to “use the influence that a father would over his children whom he saw rushing to certain ruin.” • HIs mother was very poor, being the widow of a tenant farmer; but she stuggled hard to support and educate her three boys. How well she succeeded is attested by the following incident: Many of the settlers were not able to read and it was the custom of the neighbors to gather at the home of Captain Crawford to hear some one read the latest newpaper to reach there from Philadelphia via. Charleston. On one occasion a bright nine year old boy read with a clear voice before thirty or forty citizens: “In Congress, July 4, 1776. The Unanimouns Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America. When in the course of human events, etc.” • This boy was Andrew Jackson. • When only 13 years old Andrew took part in the Battle of Hanging Rock. The eldest brother, Hugh, was killed and the other, Robert, died of a wound inflicted by a British officer, because they boy, when a prisoner, refused to do some menial duty for him. Andrew also sturdily refused and received a sword cut on his arm which he carried to his grave. About this time he had an attack of Small-Pox and left in prison to die; but this mother persisted and obtained his release, and nursed him back to health and strength. She died sometime afterwards, so that at the close of the war Andrew was the only living member of the family. He studied law and at the age of 21 settled at Nashville, Tennessee. The Indian outrages soon sent him into the field as a soldier. His exploits caused the Redmen to call him “Sharp Knife” and “Pointed Arrow.” In the Creek War and that of 1812, his brilliant services added greatly to his military renown, which reached its zenith at the Battle of New Orleas, January 8, 1815. The British forces numbered more than 8,000 men and were the flower of the English army, under the command of Sir Edward Parkenham, a brother-in-law of the Duke of Wellington, and a brilliant officer who had fought in many battles against Bonaparte. The British suffered a loss of 2,600 killed, wounded and prisoners, about 800 being killed, while of the Americans only seven were killed and six being wounded. Thus one is reminded of the Battle of San Jacinto of April 21, 1836, where the massacre of the Alamo was avenged and Sam Houston vanquished Santa Anna and won the independence of Texas. Incredible as it may seem the victory cost the lives of only seven men and 30 wounded; while the Mexicans left 730 dead on the field, 280 wounded and 800 prisoners, the prisoners alone exceeding by 100 the 700 men under Houston. Incredible! Incredible! we say. Yes, but high over the smoke and the screams on the fields of both battles can be seen the hand of the God of Freedom. His purposes were unknown to men but they could not be overthrown. The God of Nations had begun to reveal his great purposes. • Great sons have great mothers, great in mental and spiritual gifts. Such was the mother of Andrew Jackson. She was one of five Hutchinson sisters from County Antrim in Ireland who married and with their husbands settled in the Waxhaws. She was a devout member of old Waxhaw Church, and within its walls she presented her son, Andrew, to God in baptism, and took him from Sabbath to Sabbath in hope that some day he would be a preacher of the gospel. To this early training may be ascribed the fact that in his varied and often turbulent life a sense of religion never forsook him. The family BIble, covered with checked cloth, as his mother’s was, lay on the stand at the Hermitage, where he ended his days on June 8, 1845, and died at last the death of the Christian, in the communion of the Church of his mother. • “The path of glory leads but to the grave.” [2] |
1767 - 1845 (78 years)
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