Photograph as originally submitted to this page in the Historical Marker Database www.HMdb.org. Click on photo to resize in browser. Scroll down to see metadata.

Photographer: Sandra Hughes
Taken: September 25, 2010
Caption: The Hermitage Landscape 1804-1821
Additional Description: This painting by William Aiken Walker depicts enslaved cotton pickers. When Jackson purchased The Hermitage, trees still covered much of the land. By 1821, agricultural fields dominated The Hermitage landscape, coming very close to Jackson’s farmhouse, kitchen, and slave cabins. I wish you to say to my overseer, that I am on my return, and will expect that my house will be prepared in such a way as will prevent the northern blast from entering. Say further to him, to have as much hemp broke as will make a sufficient quantity of Bailing to Bale my cotton and set wenches to spin it. I shall want my Cotton for market on my arrival, say to the overseer to have the gin started. -Andrew Jackson on Hermitage Operations, December 31, 1815
Submitted: February 10, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.
Database Locator Identification Number: p192335
File Size: 0.193 Megabytes

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