Van Wyck in Lancaster County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Birthplace of Andrew Jackson
Photographed By Ronald Patton, April 5, 2023
1. Birthplace of Andrew Jackson Marker
Refurbished Marker 2023
Erected 1967 by Waxhaws Chapter - Daughters of the American Revolution. (Marker Number 29-9.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #07 Andrew Jackson series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1711.
Location. 34° 50.57′ N, 80° 48.605′ W. Marker is in Van Wyck, South Carolina, in Lancaster County. Marker is at the intersection of Charlotte Highway (U.S. 521) and Andrew Jackson State Park Road, on the right when traveling north on Charlotte Highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Van Wyck SC 29744, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Andrew Jackson State Park (within shouting distance of this marker); School Days in the Waxhaws (approx. 0.2 miles away); Welcome to Andrew Jackson State Park (approx. ¼ mile away); Welcome to the Andrew Jackson State Park Museum (approx. ¼ mile away);
this page online
More about this marker. There are two markers bearing this title. This one is at the entrance to Andrew Jackson State Park. The other, is just south at U.S. Hwy. 521 and Old Church Road.
Also see . . . Wikipedia entry for Andrew Jackson. (Submitted on October 28, 2009, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina.)
Additional commentary.
1. Andrew Jackson
More nearly than any of his predecessors, Andrew Jackson was elected by popular vote; as President he sought to act as the direct representative of the common man.
Born in a backwoods settlement in the Carolinas in 1767, he received sporadic education. But in his late teens he read law for about two years, and he became an outstanding young lawyer in Tennessee. Fiercely jealous of his honor, he engaged in brawls,
Photographed By Michael Sean Nix, October 28, 2009
2. Birthplace of Andrew Jackson Marker
Jackson prospered sufficiently to buy slaves and to build a mansion, the Hermitage, near Nashville. He was the first man elected from Tennessee to the House of Representatives, and he served briefly in the Senate. A major general in the War of 1812, Jackson became a national hero when he defeated the British at New Orleans.
In 1824 some state political factions rallied around Jackson; by 1828 enough had joined "Old Hickory" to win numerous state elections and control of the Federal administration in Washington.
In his first Annual Message to Congress, Jackson recommended eliminating the Electoral College. He also tried to democratize Federal officeholding. Already state machines were being built on patronage, and a New York Senator openly proclaimed "that to the victors belong the spoils. . . . "
Jackson took a milder view. Decrying officeholders who seemed to enjoy life tenure, he believed Government duties could be "so plain and simple" that offices should rotate among deserving applicants.
As national politics polarized around Jackson and his opposition, two parties grew out of the old Republican Party--the Democratic Republicans, or Democrats, adhering to Jackson; and the National Republicans, or Whigs, opposing him.
Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and
Photographed By Michael Sean Nix, October 28, 2009
3. Birthplace of Andrew Jackson Marker
Behind their accusations lay the fact that Jackson, unlike previous Presidents, did not defer to Congress in policy-making but used his power of the veto and his party leadership to assume command.
The greatest party battle centered around the Second Bank of the United States, a private corporation but virtually a Government-sponsored monopoly. When Jackson appeared hostile toward it, the Bank threw its power against him.
Clay and Webster, who had acted as attorneys for the Bank, led the fight for its recharter in Congress. "The bank," Jackson told Martin Van Buren, "is trying to kill me, but I will kill it!" Jackson, in vetoing the recharter bill, charged the Bank with undue economic privilege.
His views won approval from the American electorate; in 1832 he polled more than 56 percent of the popular vote and almost five times as many electoral votes as Clay.
Jackson met head-on the challenge of John C. Calhoun, leader of forces trying to rid themselves of a high protective tariff.
When South Carolina undertook to nullify the tariff, Jackson ordered armed forces to Charleston and privately threatened to hang Calhoun. Violence seemed imminent until Clay negotiated a compromise:
4. Andrew Jackson
In January of 1832, while the President was dining with friends at the White House, someone whispered to him that the Senate had rejected the nomination of Martin Van Buren as Minister to England. Jackson jumped to his feet and exclaimed, "By the Eternal! I'll smash them!" So he did. His favorite, Van Buren, became Vice President, and succeeded to the Presidency when "Old Hickory" retired to the Hermitage, where he died in June 1845.
Source: www.whitehouse.gov
— Submitted October 28, 2009, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Photographed By Michael Sean Nix, October 28, 2009
5. Andrew Jackson State Park
Photographed By Michael Sean Nix, October 28, 2009
6. Andrew Jackson State Park
Andrew Jackson, 7th President of the United States, grew up on this site during the American Revolution.
His Scotch-Irish Presbyterian upbringing in this Waxhaws backcountry settlement helped shape his character, his military success, and his presidency.
President Jackson's ideas about mass democracy and "the common man" greatly influenced our growing nation.
His Scotch-Irish Presbyterian upbringing in this Waxhaws backcountry settlement helped shape his character, his military success, and his presidency.
President Jackson's ideas about mass democracy and "the common man" greatly influenced our growing nation.
Photographed By Michael Sean Nix, October 28, 2009
7. Andrew Jackson State Park
Photographed By Michael Sean Nix, October 28, 2009
8. Andrew Jackson State Park
Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2009, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 8,534 times since then and 76 times this year. Last updated on August 6, 2023, by Amanda Zimmer of Atlanta, Georgia. Photos: 1. submitted on November 1, 2023, by Ronald Patton of Lancaster, South Carolina. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on October 28, 2009, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
