The Hermitage, Home of General Andrew Jackson

by Mary C. Dorris

NORTH ROOM (MUSEUM)

On the Walls: 1. Bronze bust of General Jackson by Belle Kinney. 2. Battle of New Orleans. Presented by C. F. Gunther, of Chicago, Endicott & Co., Lithographers, published by T. Yeager, Race Street, Philadelphia. 3. Print of General Jackson at New Orleans. 4. Portrait of Jackson. 5. Engraving of the Hermitage. This is not correctly drawn. (Francis Strickland, Architect, Lith. of Endicott & Co., N. Y.). 6. Engraving of Jackson. 7. Picture of Jackson at the Hermitage, 1830. Given by J. McGavock Dickinson. 9. Land Grant signed by President Jackson. Given by J. McGavock Dickinson. 10. Appointment of Chas. A. Anderson as secretary to the French Court by Jackson, 1836. Presented in memory of Ewin Lamar Davis by his wife. 11. Illustrated Map of Nashville 1832. 12. Certificate of Major-General Andrew Jackson’s membership in the Hibernian Society, March, 1819. 13. Three pictures of Uncle Alfred, colored servant, born 1803 and died in 1901. He lived in the log house back of the mansion and is buried in the garden next to the Jacksons’ tomb. Given by Dr. Harry Vaughan and Mrs. Paul E. DeWitt. 14. Equestrian Statue of Jackson. This picture hung in President James K. Polk’s room at the White house. Presented by Mrs. George William Fall. 14A. Engraving of General Jackson from a painting by Thomas Sully. 15. Death of Pakenham. Presented by C. F. Gunther, of Chicago, Endicott & Co., Lithographers, published by T. Yeager, Race Street, Philadelphia. 16. Blueprints showing the battlefield of Chalmette at New Orleans. Presented by Hon. John Wesley Gaines. 17. Drawing by Norman Marsh of original Hermitage. Copy of print from the collection of Mrs. Samuel Heiskell, now at the University of North Carolina. 18. Engraving of Andrew Jackson given by Mr. and Mrs. Whitefoord Cole, Jr., in memory of his mother.

Case No. 1 1. Engraving of General Jackson. 2. Clothing worn by General Andrew Jackson: dressing gowns and slippers, wool socks used when riding in winter weather; night shirts, pen marked, “Andrew Jackson,” and numbered in indelible ink. 3. Account books used in stores owned by Jackson—Gallatin, 1803; Hunter’s Hill, 1804; Clover Bottom, 1805. 4. Picture of “Aunt Hannah,” Mrs. Jackson’s personal maid, who was with her at her death. 5. Writing case inscribed “Presented to Andrew Jackson, President of the U. S., from the State of New Hampshire.”

Case No. 2 British uniform (coat and waistcoat) taken at the Battle of New Orleans. Loaned by Andrew Jackson Lawrence, grandson of Andrew Jackson, Jr.

Case No. 3 Uniform and hat of Major John T. Reid, who fought with General Jackson in the Battle of New Orleans. Presented by his grandson, Mr. Maury T. Reid.

Case No. 4

Shelf No. 1: 1. Original letter of Amos Kendall, Nov. 20, 1829, and notation in Jackson’s handwriting “Mr. Kendalls letter and remarks on my plans on National Bank.” 2. Photograph of Mrs. Mary C. Dorris, in costume for a January 8 Ball. Mrs. Dorris was one of the four organizers of the Ladies’ Hermitage Association, the first secretary and later Regent, and a life-long worker in the preservation of the Hermitage. Book, “Preservation of the Hermitage” by Mrs. Dorris (Copies may be purchased in Souvenir Shop). 3. Small Liberty Bell, made from the overflow of the Columbia Liberty Bell. These small bells were purchased by patriotic associations to be rung on patriotic occasions. 3A. Mourning badge worn at the time of the death of General Andrew Jackson. 4. Photograph of Mrs. Rachel Jackson Lawrence, Jackson’s favorite grandchild and namesake of Mrs. Jackson. 5. Photograph of Colonel Andrew Jackson, III, whose wife, Mrs. Amy Jackson, conceived the idea of the Hermitage Association and it was from this couple that most of the relics were purchased. 6. Picture of Emily Donelson, white house hostess during Jackson’s Administration, presented by Mrs. Frank Klapthor. Frame given by Felice Ferrell. 7. Bust by Zolnay of Mrs. Mary L. Baxter, first Regent of the Ladies’ Hermitage Association. Also an appeal to Association members dated 1895 and signed by Mrs. Nathaniel Baxter, Regent. 8. Booklet and program on the exercises held at the presentation of Jackson’s statue by the State of Tennessee to the United States Capitol, April 11, 1928. The statue, which is by Belle Kinney, stands in the Capitol Rotunda. 9. Picture of Healy, artist sent by Louis Philippe to paint Andrew Jackson and other prominent Americans. 10. Original floor plan of the Hermitage (changes in this were made during construction). 11. Souvenirs of President Theodore Roosevelt’s visit in October, 1907. Special Register with autograph signature. 12. Poem to Rachel Jackson Lawrence by Emma Look Scott. 12A. Lace scarf worn by Emily Donelson at President Jackson’s inaugural ball. Given by Mrs. Robert S. Cheek, in memory of her mother, Mrs. Joseph Darling Pickslay.

Shelf No. 2: 13. Copy Book of Maine Student containing interesting references to the Presidential election of 1825, given by Mrs. Henry W. Dearborn, Cape Elizabeth, Maine. 13A. Messages by President Andrew Jackson to U. S. Congress. Leather bound volume, printed on silk. 13B. Commemorative and regular issue Jackson and Hermitage stamps, 1863-1963. Given by Dr. Pembroke J. Hart.

Shelf No. 3: 14. Flag from the grave of Lafayette, procured for the Association by Miss M. E. Ford through General Horace Porter, Ambassador to France. 15. Letter written by President Jackson, 1828, to Lafayette. Presented by Reed Schermerhorn. 16. Appointment of Samuel B. Marshall as Marshal of Western District of Tennessee, April, 1831. Presented by Mrs. Joseph A. Gray. 17. Coin token with head of Jackson. Presented by Mrs. Wm. H. Dow, Portland, Maine. 18. Cane. Charles Sayers, personal friend of Jackson, cut the cane while walking on the Hermitage grounds with Jackson. Presented by Mrs. Wm. P. Delafield, Dallas, Texas. 19. Cane. Presented by H. V. S. Negus of Bound Brook, N. J. It was a present from General Jackson to Mr. Negus’ grandfather, James Engle Negus, a native of Philadelphia who had visited General Jackson at the Hermitage frequently as they were close friends. 20. A Cane hand made by Major McCalla, who served with General Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans. Presented by Dr. C. A. Miller. 21. Silhouette of Andrew Jackson. Presented by Mrs. Whitefoord Cole. 23. Pictures of:
(A) Mrs. Emily Donelson, first hostess at the White House.
(B) Sarah York Jackson, wife of adopted son.
(C) Mrs. Rachel Jackson Lawrence, in childhood. 25. Picture of costume worn by Mrs. Andrew Jackson, Jr., at her wedding reception in the White House, and now in the National Historical Museum in Washington, D. C., with costumes of other mistresses of the White House. 26. Centennial medal, Jackson, Michigan, designed and presented by James B. Field of Jackson, Michigan, in honor of General Jackson. 27. Octagon House, Washington, D. C., where General Jackson was entertained. In a perfect state of preservation. Headquarters of the American Institute of Architects. Presented by Mrs. Cordelia Jackson, September 20, 1922. 28. Letter to Andrew Jackson written by Robert C. Foster, and presented to Mrs. Harry W. Evans, Regent, by Robert Coleman Foster, VII, great-grandson of the writer. 29. Watch given by Andrew Jackson to his ward, General Daniel Smith Donelson, upon his entry to West Point. Presented by Samuel Donelson, grandson of the original owner. 30. Home of Christopher Taylor, near Jonesboro where Andrew Jackson boarded. Presented by L. M. McCowan.

Shelf No. 4: 31. Photostat copies of bill from doctor attending Rachel Jackson in her final illness and bill for her coffin, 1828. Presented by C. Norton Owen of Chicago. 32. Photostat copy of Deed of Trust for family graveyard, in Hermitage garden, to John H. Eaton, John Coffee, and Andrew Jackson, Jr. Presented by West Morton, 1926. 33. Bill of conveyance of slaves. Presented in memory of Jonas Redelsheimer. 34. Andrew Jackson (by Earl) in the capitol of Montgomery, Alabama. Presented to the Ladies’ Hermitage Association by Sarah E. Cowan, great-niece of Rachel Jackson. 35. Itemized statement of Dr. McCorkle’s bill to Andrew Jackson, October, 1825. Presented by Mrs. E. A. Lindsey. Of special interest in reference to Jackson’s solicitude for the health and welfare of his slaves. 36. President Jackson’s Contract with his cook, Prevaux. Presented by Mrs. Bettie M. Donelson. 37. Currier & Ives Print; Death bed scene of General Jackson.

Case No. 5

Clothing and personal possessions of the Jacksons:

The red velvet dress, worn by Sarah York Jackson at the White House (which is the same as in the Earl portrait of her in the Hermitage dining room) was given by her great-granddaughter, Sue Rhea Symmes McCutcheon, in memory of her grandmother, Rachel Jackson Lawrence. Velvet sample shows original color. The shawl, which was presented by Mrs. W. H. Wemyss, belonged to Miss Jennie Treanor, who lived at Tulip Grove and was a friend of the Jacksons. The letter was written by Andrew Jackson from the White House, 1832, to his daughter-in-law, Sarah York Jackson. The leather hat box has the following name plate: “General Andrew Jackson, President of the United States” and the hat with the ten-inch mourning band is the one he wore in Washington following the death of his wife. The rosewood cane was his favorite walking stick. Displayed with one of his suits is a linen shirt made by seamstress Gracey who lived at the Hermitage. The lavender moire dress, which was Rachel Jackson’s, was presented by her great-granddaughter, Marion Lawrence Symmes, and the white shawl, said to have been hers, was given by Mrs. Bertha Pierce, of Daytona, Fla. The lace cap belonged to Rachel Jackson, and also the aquamarine necklace (the case for this is in the south room of the museum).

FLOOR STANDARD

A. Letters from Senator Edmond de Lafayette, grandson of General Lafayette, concerning the French chair he gave to the Hermitage, which is in the Brides’ Room. B. Steubenville Republican Ledger, reporting supper given in honor of Jackson’s triumph, Nov. 26, 1828, and Jackson’s election returns, 1828. C. Copy of National Banner and Nashville Whig, Aug. 12, 1828, given by C. L. Winn, great-grandson of Andrew Jackson, Jr. and Sarah York Jackson. Contains commendations of Jackson’s Policy during Creek Campaign. D. Interesting expressions of Jackson’s characteristics of spirituality and patriotism in a letter (January 8, 1822) to his ward, E. G. W. Butler, purchased from his grandson, E. G. Butler. E. Signed military orders from various officers, 1814. F. Pay-rolls from Capt. Haley, Llewellyn Griffith and Major H. D. Peire. G. Military orders signed by Jackson and muster roll of regiment commanded by Stokely Donelson, 1792. Extracts from letters of Capt. Thos. Preston, John Overton, and J. Winchester and receipts signed by Jackson. H. Letter from Jackson to Dr. John L. Wynn. Photostat letter from Rachel Jackson to her brother, Capt. John Donelson, Aug. 25, 1821. I. Note of presentation of plaster cast of Powers bust, from Levi Woodbury and Jackson’s reply. Letter from Jackson to Sarah York Jackson, April 14, 1835. J. Letter of condolence from Rachel Jackson to her niece, Catherine Caffery Walker, on the death of her sister, Jane Caffery Earl. A letter from Andrew Jackson to Catherine Caffery Walker, regarding business matters, presented by a descendant, Vera Walker Morel. K. Letter from D. Morrison, contractor, concerning additions to the house and erection of the tomb. Letter from Jackson to A. Donelson, presented by Mrs. P. H. Manlove. L. West Carolinian Extra Dec. 7, 1833, containing Jackson’s message to Congress. This paper, which originally belonged to Jackson’s Law instructor Judge Spruce Macay, was given by Mrs. Fannie McNeely of Salisbury, N. C.

WALL STANDARD

Case A: Jackson’s appointment as Judge of Superior Court, signed by John Sevier, December 22, 1798. Jackson’s receipt from post office, June 2, 1826, for payments on his 17 newspaper subscriptions. Invitation to Military Ball given at Huntsville Inn, 1825, in commemoration of the Battle of New Orleans. Presented by Mrs. George Dury, to whose grandmother the invitation was issued. Photostatic copy of statement by Dr. Catlet regarding Dickinson duel. Letter from Jackson to Col. John Overton, regarding the former’s “conduct in Florida” and Eaton’s appeal. September 16, 1831.

Case B: Letter describing White House reception for Andrew Jackson, Jr., and his bride, from Emily Donelson, Washington, 1831. Note from Jackson to his wife, February 6, 1804. Letter from Mrs. Stephen Decatur regarding sale of silver and china and Jackson’s signed receipt of his purchases. General Jackson’s orders for medicine and hospital stores, Nov. 4, 1813.

Case C: Photostatic copy of letter regarding birthplace of Jackson and burial place of his mother and father, from James H. Witherspoon, Lancaster, S. C., April 16, 1825. Land grant, signed by Jackson, presented by Mrs. J. C. Cartwright. Letter from Dr. Beaumont to Jackson, expressing solicitude for latter’s health and presenting his book on medicine. Photostat of Major General Jackson’s orders to his troops, Nov. 24, 1812. Election returns from Globe Extra, November 15, 1832. Presented by Judge John H. DeWitt.

Case D: Letter from Jackson to Maj. A. J. Donelson, 1837, relating the ovations he received en route from Washington to Nashville. Letter from Jackson to Maj. A. J. Donelson, July 25, 1833, giving instructions for Hermitage farming operations and requesting him to check and report on them. Official nomination of John H. Baker as Secretary of French Treaty Commission notation by Jackson. Letter to Jackson from Roger B. Taney, Attorney General, regarding New Orleans banks.

Case E: Letter in French regarding Louisiana colonies. Ship passport, signed by Jackson, June 4, 1835. Letter accompanying original Treasury Draft, remitting the famous Judge Hall fine.

Case F: Photostatic copies of bills and letters from Philadelphia dealers regarding Hermitage furnishings purchased in 1837 and of bills for remodeling mansion after the fire in 1834.

Case G: Copies of bills for Hermitage furnishings purchased in 1837. Letter from Jane Caffery, Hermitage, Feb. 1815, regarding the Battle of New Orleans, presented by Vera Walker Morel. Poem written on Jackson’s birthday, March 15, 1837, White House. Letters to Major A. J. Donelson, telling of marauder’s attempt to break in to President Jackson’s bedroom.

Case H: Letter from Jackson to his neighbor Dr. Doyle, requesting his consultation with Col. Jeremiah George Harris’ physicians at the time of his accident. Letter from Lord Byron, Venice, 1819, to his Paris publishers, remonstrating against publishing under his name volumes of which he was not the author. Presented by Earl to Jackson, along with volume of Byron’s poems.

Case I: Letter from Jackson to Maj. Wm. B. Lewis, February 28, 1845, regarding Polk’s cabinet and other political matters. Letter to President Jackson from Edward Livingston, Paris, May 6, 1834. Letter, Emily Donelson to Andrew Jackson Donelson.

Case J: Letter from Andrew Jackson to Major William B. Lewis, Aug. 6, 1814, referring to military matters. Letter from Andrew Jackson to Dr. Doyle, Fountain of Health, requesting bill for services to his ward, Dec. 27, 1840. Letter, Andrew Jackson to Andrew Jackson, Jr.