MRS. SARAH YORK JACKSON
MRS. SARAH YORK JACKSON
By Mrs. Walter Stokes
No history of the Hermitage could be complete without a sketch of Mrs. Sarah York Jackson, the beloved daughter-in-law of General Jackson. She was the daughter of Peter Stilley and Mary Haines York, a wealthy shipowner of Philadelphia. She and her two sisters were left orphans at an early age and were educated at Miss Mallon’s School for Young Ladies in Philadelphia. Sarah was the second and most beautiful of the sisters and always said she would never marry unless the President should come courting. One day, while out walking, in the early spring, she met a cousin of hers, a young army officer, in company with a very handsome young man. The handsome young man proved to be the President’s son, Andrew Jackson, Jr. They were introduced. It was love at first sight. The President approved, and they were married in October, 1831, at the home of her sister, Mrs. Joshua Lippincott, in Philadelphia, going immediately by carriage to the White House in Washington, where a brilliant reception was held in her honor, and where President Jackson received her with the greatest affection and pride. At this reception she wore the lovely wedding dress which is now on display in the National Museum in Washington, with the costumes of the other mistresses of the White House. Her portrait was painted at this time by Earl. The red velvet dress pictured is in the Hermitage museum.
This portrait hangs in the dining room at the Hermitage, of which the accompanying picture is a copy. An old copy hangs in the White House, of which she was mistress for some years, a position which, by her natural grace and tact and great beauty, she was eminently fitted to fill. All of her children were born at the Hermitage, and the family was the solace and comfort of General Jackson’s declining years. She had grown dearer and dearer to his heart and came next to his beloved wife, Rachel, who had died when he was elected President.
HERMITAGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Erected in 1823, across the Lebanon Road from Rachel’s Lane, this church is open to the public and services are still held there. General Jackson, to please his devoutly religious, beloved wife, was the largest contributor to the building fund and always referred to it as “Mrs. Jackson’s Church.” In his latter years he was a faithful member, frequently arriving before the service with his man servant to see that the fires were properly made. Two log fireplaces were used for heat, home-made brick for flooring, and candles for lighting.