Presidents of Tennessee

Presidents of Tennessee Andrew Jackson 1829-1837 Compiled by: Terry Sams, Dandridge, Tennessee Andrew Johnson 1865-1869 James Polk 1845-1849

Andrew JacksonLawyer, great military hero of his day, and the “people’s president”- the first whose origins were humble • Andrew Jackson – born Waxhaw, SC, March 15, 1767 • Nickname: "Old Hickory" • 7th President of the United States (1829-1837)

Personal Information • Religion: Presbyterian • Marriage: August 1791 (2nd ceremony, January 17, 1794), to Rachel Donelson Robards (1767-1828) • Political Party: Democrat • Career: Lawyer, Soldier • Died: June 8, 1845, Nashville, Tennessee • Buried: The Hermitage, Nashville, Tennessee

Mrs. Rachel Donelson Jackson Jackson married Rachel twice because her divorce from her first husband had not been finalized in time for the first wedding to be legal. As a deeply religious person, Rachel was often hurt over accusations his opponents often brought up during campaigns. She died within three months before his inauguration of an apparent heart attack. Jackson always believed that it had been gossip and rumors about their marriage that led to Rachel’s death. At his inauguration, he wore a top hat with a wide, black mourning band to symbolize his loss and grief.

Jackson grieved for Rachel the rest of his life. They never had children of their own but had adopted Rachel’s nephew and raised several other children whose parents could not take care of them. He also adopted an Indian boy, Lyncoya, whose family was killed during a war with Creek Indians in 1813. Lyncoya died in 1828.

Other Interesting Facts • It was believed he would be the most likely president to die in office (he didn’t), because he was in constant pain, had terrible headaches, stomachaches and a hacking cough. • He was the first president to be the victim of an assassination attempt. • The only president ever to kill a man in a duel (fought over Rachel’s honor). • The only president to have been a prisoner of war (during the American Revolution). • The most controversial thing he ever did was to order all Native Americans moved west in what is known as the Trail of Tears.

To his friends, Jackson was always loyal and generous. To his enemies (especially anyone he held responsible for the rumors against Rachel), he was mean and spiteful. He died at the age of seventy-eight, probably of heart failure, and was buried next to Rachel in the Hermitage garden. Andrew Jackson left a permanent imprint upon American politics and the presidency. The Democratic party was Jackson's child; the national two-party system was his legacy.

Primary Sources • A primary source is a document that was created during the time period being examined. • The most common primary sources are personal letters, diaries, journals, newspaper articles, and business records and correspondence. • Transcribed oral histories of witnesses to particular events or individuals alive during a given time period are also primary source documents, even though they may have been transcribed years later.

Let’s look at three primary sources from Andrew Jackson time. Notice the dates they were written, who the letter was written to, and the tone of the document. Does the tone tell you anything about the writer’s mood and/or attitude? Does the document tell you about the relationship between the writer and the person it was sent?

Excerpts from Personal Letters of Andrew Jackson • To John Sevier – Knoxville, October 2, 1803 Sir The ungentlemany Expressions, and gasgonading conduct, of yours relative to me on yesterday was in true character of yourself, and unmask you to the world, and plainly shews that they were the ebulutions of a base mind goaded with stubborn prooffs of fraud, and flowing from a source devoid of every refined sentiment, or delicate sensation. But sir the Voice of the people has made you a Governor this alone makes you worthy of my notice or notice of any Gentleman. . . .for this purpose I request an interview, and my friend who will hand you this will point out the time and place, when and where I shall Expect to see you with your friend and no other person. my friend and myself will be armed with pistols. you cannot mistake me, or my meaning. Andrew Jackson Jackson and Sevier met by chance in front of the Knox County courthouse and exchanged insults, prompting Jackson’s challenge. (The spelling errors are in Jackson’s original manuscript)

Excerpts from Personal Letters of Andrew Jackson • To Mrs. Jackson – January 18, 1813 My Love: I have this evening since dark received your affectionate letter by Dinwiddie. I was down at the boat receiving the arms just arrived, and did not get up until dark, when I found the old man waiting for me. He has carefully handed me your miniature. I shall wear it near my bosom; but this was useless for without your miniature my recollection never fails me of your likeness…. It is now 1 o’clock in the morning-the candle nearly out, and I must go to bed. May the angelic hosts that reward and protect virtue and innocence and preserve the good be with you until I return, is the sincere supplication of your affectionate husband. This letter was sent when Jackson was campaigning against the Creeks

Excerpts from Personal Letters of Andrew Jackson • Mrs. Jackson to Jackson – January 1813 My Dear Husband: Your letter of the 18th of January from the mouth of the Cumberland river came safe to hand. It was everything to me. I rejoiced. I was happy to hear you were in health. It was my nightly prayer to Almighty God. My thoughts are forever on thee. Where’er I go, where’er I turn, my thoughts, my fears, my doubts distress me. Then a little hope revives again and that keeps me alive. Were it not for that, I must sink; I should die in my present situation. By my blessed Redeemer is making intercession with the Father for us to meet again, to restore you to my bosom, where every vein, every pulse beats high for your health, your safety, and all your wishes crowned. Do not, my beloved husband let the love of country, fame and honor, make you forget you have one. Without you, I would think them all empty shadows. You will say this is not the language of a patriot, but it is the language of a faithful wife. . .

More about Andrew Jackson • Read About Jackson’s Duels • Biography of Andrew Jackson • Biography of Mrs. Jackson • Visit Jackson’s home, The Hermitage • Read about The Early 19th Century in America

The Hermitage, Nashville, Tennessee Jackson’s tomb Jackson Statue Nashville, Tennessee

James K. Polk Often referred to as the first “dark horse" President, Polk was the last of the Jacksonians to sit in the White House, and the last strong President until the Civil War. • Born: November 2, 1795, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina • Nickname: "Young Hickory“ • 11th President of the United States (1845-1849)

Personal Information • Religion: Presbyterian • Education: University of North Carolina (graduated 1818) • Marriage: January 1, 1824, to Sarah Childress (1803-91) • Political Party: Democrat • Career: Lawyer • Children: None • Died: June 15, 1849, Nashville, Tennessee • Buried: State Capitol Grounds,Nashville, Tennessee

Mrs. Sarah Childress Polk (1803-91) • Blessed with an education most women of her day were denied, Sarah was well prepared to serve, not only as White House hostess, but also her husband’s private secretary.She worked long hours each day at his side. She help write speeches, correspondence, and advised him on many matters of state. Sarah continued to manage the Mississippi plantation and other property and enjoyed the role of grande dame for almost a half a century after his death.

Mrs. Sarah Childress Polk (1803-91) • To watch the video Sarah Polk's White House, click the following link:Windows Media Player Format

Interesting Facts • His campaign and administration were focused on westward expansion – fulfilling the “Manifest Destiny” of the growing nation. • President Polk added a vast area to the United States, but its acquisition precipitated a bitter quarrel between the North and the South over expansion of slavery.

Other Interesting Facts • At 49, Polk was the youngest man yet to be elected to the office. • Polk, leaving office with his health undermined from hard work, died in June 1849. His inaugural address printed in the newspaper hangs in his home.

Without solicitation on my part, I have been chosen by the free and voluntary suffrages of my countrymen to the most honorable and most responsible office on earth. I am deeply impressed with gratitude for the confidence reposed in me. Honored with this distinguished consideration at an earlier period of life than any of my predecessors, I can not disguise the diffidence with which I am about to enter on the discharge of my official duties. From James Polk’s Inaugural Address – March 4, 1845

More about James K. Polk • Polk’s Inaugural Address • Biography of James K. Polk • Biography of Mrs. Polk • James Polk and Texas • James Polk and the Westward Expansion

Andrew JohnsonThe only president who knew how to quilt and made his own suits (a skill of which he was very proud). • Born: December 29, 1808, Raleigh, North Carolina • Nickname: None • 17th President of the United States (1865-1869)

Personal Information • Religion: No formal affiliation • Marriage: May 17, 1827, to Eliza McCardle (1810-1876) • Children: Martha Johnson (1828-1901), Charles Johnson (1830-1863), Mary Johnson (1832-1883), Robert Johnson (1834-1869), Andrew Johnson (1852-1879) • Political Party: Democrat; Unionist • Career: Tailor; Public Official • Died: Carter’s Station, Tennessee, 1875 • Buried: Greeneville, Tennessee

Andrew Johnson Andrew Johnson was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. • His father died when young Johnson was only three years old, and he was raised by his mother who worked as a spinner and weaver to support her sons. • Johnson worked as a tailor’s apprentice from the age of 14, then opened his own shop in 1827 after his family moved to Greeneville, Tennessee.

Mrs. Eliza McCardle Johnson (1810-1876) • Eliza was the First Lady married at the youngest age-sixteen. • Eliza taught her half literate husband to read and write. She read to him from books and government documents as he sewed. • Suffering from poor heath and with little desire to entertain, Eliza spent most of her time in her room surrounded by her large family of children and grandchildren. Her daughter, Martha Johnson Patterson, took up most of the duties of First Lady sensibly and graciously, even during the difficult times of her father’s term. • Twice a day he stopped in to go over current events with her. • At night she showed him articles favorable to him, but saved the negative ones for the morning so he wouldn’t lose sleep.

When the Civil War began, Johnson was the only Senator from a Confederate state who did not leave Congress to return to the South. • In 1864, Lincoln selected him as his Vice Presidential running-mate on the National Union ticket. • Within six weeks of taking office as Vice President, Johnson succeeded to the Presidency after Lincoln’s assassination. • In the troubled years after the Civil War, he became so unpopular that he was the only president to be impeached, but not convicted by only one vote.

Interesting Facts about Andrew Johnson • He appeared cold-White House staff labeled him “the Grim Presence” – but he loaned money to those in need and identified with underdogs. • Instead of evicting mice he found inside, he would leave flour and water out for them. • Johnson unsuccessfully sought the Democratic party’s presidential nomination in 1868. • Finally in 1875, an alliance of Republicans and a faction of the Democratic party in the Tennessee legislature again elected him to the U.S. Senate. • He served only five months before he died of a stroke at age sixty-six.

More about Andrew Johnson • Impeachment • Inaugural Address of Andrew Johnson • Biography of Mrs. Johnson • More on Andrew Johnson at Tusculum College

Sources • Lives of the Presidents – Kathleen Krull, Scholastic Inc., New York, 1998 • Tennessee’s Presidents, Frank B. Williams, Jr. The Tennessee Historical Commission, The University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville, 1981 The writing on some of the slides is too small for classroom presentations. You could easily make two separate slides on some of these and increase the fonts. Andrew Johnson Statue

Presidents of Tennessee