Existing comment:
The Slave Interior:
Today, the interior of the farmhouse has been restored as it looked when slaves lived here after the Jackson family moved to the brick house. In converting his former home to slave housing, Jackson had the building reduced to one floor and a sleeping loft by somehow removing the first floor and lowering the second floor and attic to the ground. ...
A new brick chimney replaced the original stone chimney and wooden shutters replaced the glass windows. Although no evidence exists about precisely which slaves lived here, Jackson quartered his house slaves near the brick mansion and his field slaves to the north of this location. Therefore, it is likely his skilled slaves occupied Jackson's former farmhouse. Very little is known about how the slaves used the space or what kinds of things they had in it, but evidence of some adaptations remain. Jackson apparently had much f the original architectural details removed, while the slaves adapted the spaces to suit their needs and installed a wood-burning stove. Other changes to the cabins may have left no mark.
The Hermitage Landscape (1804-1821):
When Jackson lived in the log farmhouse, the surrounding plantation landscape buzzed with activity, sounds, and smells. The cramped housing for both whites and blacks forced them outdoors for work and relaxation. Here slaves cooked and stored food, did chores, and socialized. Archeological evidence shows that the slaves kept the work yard between the farmhouse and kitchen swept clean of grass and debris, an African cultural tradition brought to America. While Jackson lived in the log farmhouse, he planted 100 or more acres of cotton every year along with corn and other crops to feed his livestock, plus vegetable gardens for his family and slaves.
As Jackson's finances improved, additional slave cabins and new agricultural buildings dotted the Hermitage landscape. In the first three years after moving to The Hermitage, Jackson built a 125-gallon corn whiskey distillery and a cotton gin and press that brought him extra income.
"I wish you to say to my overseer, that I am on my return, and will expect that my houses 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 the wenches to spin it. I shall want my Cotton for market for my arrival, say to the overseer to have the ginn started." -- Andrew Jackson on Hermitage operations, December 31, 1815. |