The Hermitage, Home of General Andrew JacksonDorris, Mary C. (Mary C. Currey)
History
The Hermitage, Home of General Andrew Jackson
Dorris, Mary C. (Mary C. Currey)
Hermitage (Hermitage, Tenn.); Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845 -- Homes and haunts -- Tennessee -- Hermitage
On February 19, 1889, Mrs. Rachel J. Lawrence, Mary W. May, Mrs. Mary
Hadly Clare, Mrs. E. L. Nicholson, Miss Louise Grundy Lindsley, Mrs.
Henry Heiss, and Mrs. Mary C. Dorris applied to the State of Tennessee
and were granted a charter incorporating the Ladies’ Hermitage
Association. The objects of the Association stated in the charter were
to purchase from the State of Tennessee certain land, including the
residence and tomb of Andrew Jackson, and to “beautify, preserve, and
adorn the same throughout all coming years, in a manner most befitting
the memory of that great man, and commensurate with the gratitude of his
countrymen.” The General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, on April 5,
1889, conveyed to Trustees for the Ladies’ Hermitage Association
twenty-five acres of the Hermitage farm, including the house, tomb, and
surrounding buildings.
Dr. and Mrs. J. Berrien Lindsley rendered very efficient service in
securing from the State Legislature the original conveyance of
twenty-five acres to the Ladies’ Hermitage Association.
The General Assembly of the State of Tennessee (Chapter No. 27, Public
Acts of Tennessee, 1923), at the earnest solicitation of the Officers
and Directors of the Ladies’ Hermitage Association, conveyed 232⁵/₁₀
acres of the Hermitage farm, located in the Fourth Civil District of
Davidson County, Tennessee, to the Board of Trustees for the Ladies’
Hermitage Association, to the end that said Ladies’ Hermitage
Association be permitted and encouraged to preserve and beautify same,
so as to display the respect, love, and affection which a grateful State
and people cherish for their illustrious hero and statesman, Andrew
Jackson.
The General Assembly of the State of Tennessee in 1935, by Public Act,
conveyed 500 acres of the original Hermitage farm tract to the Board of
Trustees to be maintained under the care and custody of the Ladies’
Hermitage Association. The Hermitage farm is now under the supervision
of the Ladies’ Hermitage Association for preservation as a perpetual
memorial. In 1960 the Association acquired 125 acres adjoining the north
boundary as protection against future industrial or housing
developments, bringing the total acreage to 625.
The furniture and relics were in the Hermitage at the time of the
organization of the Ladies’ Hermitage Association in 1889, and Col.
Andrew Jackson gave the Association an option upon them. But failing to
raise the necessary money after four years’ trial, the entire collection
of relics and furniture was removed in 1893 by the owner, Col. Andrew
Jackson, to Cincinnati, where he had them on exhibition for pay. This
venture was not a success, so they were returned to Nashville. From this
collection and from various members of the family and others, the
Association has bought the relics it now owns, that so beautifully adorn
the residence where they first were placed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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