The picture which Mr. Morrison mentioned has been preserved. It appears on Ayres’ Map of Nashville, which was published in 1832. An announcement of the plans for this map appeared in the Nashville Republican and State Gazette, of December 6, 1831—strangely enough, the exact date of Mr. Morrison’s letter. This notice reads:
“Map of Nashville—Sketches of the embellishments which are to be attached to this work have been politely submitted to our inspection. They consist of three different views of the City—one from the bank of the Cumberland near the ruins of the Old Steam Mill; another from a hill on the South near the residence of Dr. Overton, and the third from a commanding height about two miles to the North—the Penitentiary from an iminence in front, with its beautiful back-ground scenery of hill and wood and cultivated field—a portion of College Street including Yeatman and Woods’ Bank—the U.S. Branch Bank—a group consisting of the Court House, Inn and Hotel—a part of the Public Square including the upper end of the Market House—the University and background—the Presbyterian, the Baptist, and the Episcopal churches—the Female Academy and other buildings in the neighborhood. To these is added a view of the Hermitage in its present newly finished state, than which there is not to be found west of the Allegany a more beautiful and splendid private residence.”
A comparison of the engraving on Ayres’ map with Mr. Morrison’s letter proves the authenticity of the picture. There are ten columns instead of the six stately ones of the present, and the exterior of the building corresponds in other details with his description. The tomb, for the artist’s convenience, more than likely, is placed nearer the house than it is in reality.
Andrew Jackson Baker, present caretaker of the Hermitage, who has made a careful study of the building, points out a number of irregularities in the doors of the east wing which are due, undoubtedly, to the remodeling. The brick walls themselves show where the east wing was added and where there was once a little roof or porch extending over the entrance to the cellar. The kitchen and smoke-house, as Morrison’s letter states, are on line with each other.
The handsome remodeled Hermitage which was Mr. Morrison’s and Nashville’s pride was destined, however, to a career of short duration. In October, 1834, it caught fire and was, with the exception of the dining-room wing and its sturdy brick walls, destroyed. The catastrophe is described in the Nashville Republican of October 14, 1834, as follows:
“The Hermitage Burnt—Yesterday evening about 4 o’clock the roof of the Hermitage was discovered to be on fire, and all attempts to arrest the progress of the flames proving unavailing, the entire edifice, with the exception of the room attached to the northern end and used as a dining room, was in a few hours consumed. The valuable furniture in the lower story was fortunately saved, though much broken and otherwise injured in getting it out. That in the second story was, we understand, chiefly destroyed. The fire is supposed to have been communicated to the roof by the falling of a spark from one of the chimneys, and there being a breeze from the northwest, the progress of the flames was proportionably rapid. The numerous and valuable private papers of the President were probably all preserved.
“We need not add that the event has occasioned to this community deep and universal regret.”
Letters from Bassett’s Correspondence of Andrew Jackson, give further details of the fire. On October 14, 1834, Col. Robert Armstrong, Nashville’s postmaster, wrote:
“My dear Genl. Your son and Majr. Donelson have both written you the perticulars of the unfortunate burning of the Hermitage House. We heard the news Last evening but not the extent of the Damage. I sent One of the Young men Out of the Office up After supper who returned by Sun up this morning. I learned from Majr. D. and the Young man I sent up that all the furniture and valuables with the papers, letter Books, etc., have been with the exception of some furniture upstairs (the Wardrobe and Large bedstead) saved. Some few things were singed in getting out but on the whol I expect everything was done that could be done and I have no doubt it was purely accidental. The House can be rebuilt on the Old Site for $2,000 or 2,500. The dineing room wing is but Little injured. I will go up this evening to see your Son and also Mr. Rife, the Carpenter doing Majr. D. work, and the one who built my House and will write you in a day or two. I will see what will be his estimate and Austins for its Complete Rebuilding and inform you....”
Stockley Donelson, General Jackson’s nephew, wrote on the same day, giving details of the fire.
“A fire was kindled in the old dining room,” he stated, “and the chimney caught on fire, which not being observed immediately, and the wind being from the North west, the fire was communicated to the roof. The flame however had not spread very far before it was discovered by Squire and Charles and the alarm given. Cousin Sarah at this moment was in the house having just returned from a short ride and Andrew was in the field, but a short distance from the House, The fire was soon discovered by Wm. Donelson hands who were working near at hand, by A. J. Donelson work men and hands, as well as by your own hands. They were all on the ground before the roof fell in, etc. Mr Rife by his own exertions succeeded in getting on the dining Room roof and extinguishing the flames, etc. Others were employed in getting out the furniture, etc., which was nearly all saved, except some bedsteads up stairs.... Cousin Sarah acted with firmness and gave every necessary direction to save the furniture, and Her and Andrew though much Hurt, I am happy to add bear the misfortune with fortitude.