Andrew Jackson's Family Homes

This week we are looking back through the historical homes of President Andrew Jackson. His parents were immigrants later in colonial times and so he is the first president we have looked at so far not to be a "Virginia Planter," and instead was born in the Carolinas. As we have mentioned in our other posts, it can be difficult to trace a name like Jackson as it was generally reserved for commoners who were not well documented in ancient Britain, however in our president's case, his Jackson was a nickname used for his medieval family, the de Lascelles of Henderskelfe Castle (now rebuilt and known as Castle Howard in Yorkshire). The Sirs Jackson remained in Yorkshire until moving to Ireland in the 1600s. Below is Castle Howard today.

From Wikipedia

Not much is noted about the Jacksons' time in Ireland before coming to America in the 1700s. His parents came from Ireland with his Scottish uncle James Crawford, whose South Carolina plantation he was born on. " James and Jane built a very large and fine home on a breathtaking knoll, commanding the post road at Crawford's Branch of Waxhaw Creek, South Carolina and many times would offer hospitality to passing travelers." (WesternKYHistory.org) This house no longer stands but is marked with a historical marker in the national park there. Jackson became a lawyer in an area of the Carolinas that eventually came to be part of Tennessee and later landed in Nashville. Here, he met his wife, Rachel Donelson, who was the daughter of Colonel Donelson, one of Nashville's co-founders. Another founder was our own Nash ancestor, Colonel Francis Nash- my (Elinor's) maiden name is Nash and my father was proud of his Tennessee roots. Jackson, himself, was a founder of Memphis. Jackson built his own plantation and shortly after, acquired The Hermitage near Nashville. The following pictures and information are from their website unless noted.

From Wikipedia

Below is the entry hall. We love the printed wallpaper. Wondering if it is Zuber and what exactly is depicted?

From The Wills Company

Next is a guest room which has a wallpaper reminiscent of Bowood but is clearly something else.

Below is the dining room with its high gloss paint, intentionally made to brighten the space.

The Hermitage is available for tours and rentals and has beautiful gardens that Andrew & Rachel Jackson loved, pictured below.

The house definitely epitomizes a southern plantation house coming into the 19th century and looks like what we expect a former president's family home to be. Thank you for looking back through the Jackson homes with us!