Van Wyck in Lancaster County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

School Days in the Waxhaws

Photographed by Michael Sean Nix, October 28, 2009

1. School Days in the Waxhaws Marker

Inscription. When Andrew Jackson was a boy, he attended log-cabin schools much like this replica. In this backcountry region of devout, hard working Scotch-Irish immigrants, most children learned enough at local "common" schools to read the Bible and run their farms. Ambitious parents like Andrew's mother, Elizabeth, paid a schoolmaster for advanced classes at Waxhaw Academy. Here Andy and his classmates studied Greek and Latin as preparation for careers in law, medicine, or the church. In 1780-81, the Revolutionary War devastated the Waxhaws. An orphan and wounded ex-prisoner-of-war by age 14, Andrew finished school in the nearby New Acquisition District, then moved to North Carolina to study law.

Erected by South Carolina State Park Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #07 Andrew Jackson series list.

Location. 34° 50.454′ N, 80° 48.426′ W. Marker is in Van Wyck, South Carolina, in Lancaster County. It is on Andrew Jackson State Park Road 0.3 miles east of U.S. 521. Marker is in Andrew Jackson State Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Van Wyck SC 29744, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands

and in the Olde English District. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

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within walking distance of this marker: Welcome to Andrew Jackson State Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to the Andrew Jackson State Park Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Elizabeth Hutchinson Jackson (within shouting distance of this marker); Heart of the Community (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Birthplace of Andrew Jackson Monument (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Jackson Comes Home (about 300 feet away); The Boy of the Waxhaws (about 300 feet away); Andrew Jackson State Park (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Van Wyck.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Jackson Comes Home (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Photographed by Michael Sean Nix, October 28, 2009

2. School Days in the Waxhaws Marker

The Waxhaw Academy was a log schoolhouse next to the Meeting House where boys studied the under the direction of William Humphries and later James White Stephenson at the only backcountry academy.

Photographed by Brian Scott, April 5, 2016

3. School Days in the Waxhaws Marker

Photographed by Brian Scott, April 5, 2016

4. School Days in the Waxhaws Marker

Schoolhouse replica image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Sean Nix, October 28, 2009

5. Schoolhouse replica

Photographed by Michael Sean Nix, October 28, 2009

6. Schoolhouse replica

Credits. This page was last revised on June 26, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2009, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,551 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 28, 2009, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. 3, 4. submitted on June 26, 2016, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 5, 6. submitted on October 28, 2009, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.