Hermitage in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
The Triplex
Reclaiming the Past
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, November 12, 2022
1. The Triplex Marker
Rarely do facts alone uncover the past. Scholarship, judgment, and analysis all have roles in interpreting evidence, and hints, of long-ago lives. So it is with these stones marking the location of a building that Hermitage archaeologists have named the Triplex. Likely built in the1820s or 1830s during construction of the mansion, its limestone foundation and brick walls echo those of Jackson’s home. Along with its location and division of space, uncovered artifacts suggest that the Triplex was the living and work space for many of the enslaved who worked in and around the mansion, serving the Jackson’s and their guests.Although artifacts rarely tell personal stories, Hermitage archaeologist believes that the numerous sewing items recovered in the middle room belonged to Gracy Bradley. Andrew Jackson purchased Gracy and her family in Washington, D.C. during his presidency to be a skilled seamstress and personal servant to Jackson’s daughter-in-law Sarah Yorke Jackson. At The Hermitage, Gracy married Alfred, who took the name Jackson after emancipation. For reasons we may never know, Gracy chose the surname of Bradley and passed it
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 25, 2010
2. The Triplex Marker
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Women.
Location. 36° 12.923′ N, 86° 36.791′ W. Marker is in Hermitage, Tennessee, in Davidson County. Marker can be reached from Rachels Lane, 0.3 miles east of Hermitage Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4580 Rachels Lane, Hermitage TN 37076, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Icehouse (here, next to this marker); A Landscape Of Inequality (a few steps from this marker); The Work Yard (within shouting distance of this marker); Explore The Hermitage Grounds (within shouting distance of this marker); Alfred’s Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); The Hermitage Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); The Garden Privy (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Education and Administration Buildings (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hermitage.
Also see . . . The Hermitage, The Home of President Andrew Jackson. (Submitted on February 10, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 25, 2010
3. The Triplex showed Three separate 20x20 ft rooms
During the 1930s, at least two of Alfred and Gracy’s descendents worked at The Hermitage on a Works Progress Administration project. The workers uncovered the Triplex foundation in preparation for construction of a small museum building. That building was later removed to allow archaeological excavations of the Triplex.
Archaeology showed that the Triplex had three separate twenty by twenty-foot rooms-each with its own fireplace and root cellar.
Archaeology showed that the Triplex had three separate twenty by twenty-foot rooms-each with its own fireplace and root cellar.
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 25, 2010
4. Sewing for Andrew Jackson's family
Thimbles, scissors, a crochet hook, straight pins, a lace-making bobbin, a needle case and other sewing implements were found in the center unit of the triplex.
Gracy did fine sewing and made clothing for several Jackson family members such as collars for Little Rachel and this shirt made for Andrew Jackson. She did all of the work by hand. There are no records to tell who made the vast quantities of clothing that the enslaved would have needed.
Gracy did fine sewing and made clothing for several Jackson family members such as collars for Little Rachel and this shirt made for Andrew Jackson. She did all of the work by hand. There are no records to tell who made the vast quantities of clothing that the enslaved would have needed.
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 25, 2010
5. The Triplex Marker
This marker is located near the loading area for the wagon tour ride and near the vegetable garden
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, June 14, 2015
6. Wide view of The Triplex Marker
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, June 14, 2015
7. Remains of the Triplex
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 587 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 23, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 9, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 6, 7. submitted on July 14, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
