Andrew Jackson
Born 1767 · Age 259
Seventh President of the United States (1829–1837); frontier lawyer, U.S. Army general, planter and slaveowner; key figure in rise of Jacksonian democracy; controversial legacy due to Indian removal and harsh policies toward Native Americans.
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Life & Career Timeline
Father dies before his birth
Death of father shortly before Andrew's birth; family hardship begins
Birth in the Waxhaws
Born in the Waxhaws region on the border of North and South Carolina to Scots–Irish immigrants Andrew Jackson and Elizabeth Hutchinson.
Captured in Revolutionary War; orphaned
Captured by the British during the Revolutionary War; scarred by an officer's saber; imprisoned and contracted smallpox; became orphaned when mother and brothers died soon after.
Leaves Waxhaws to study law
Moved to Salisbury, North Carolina, to study law under Spruce Macay and later John Stokes.
Admitted to the North Carolina bar
Completed legal training and was admitted to practice law (September 1787).
Appointed prosecuting attorney in western district / moves to Nashville
With help from John McNairy, accepted the prosecuting attorney post for the Western District (future Tennessee) and began practice in frontier Nashville.
Bought first enslaved person
Bought his first slave while boarding in Jonesborough — beginning of slave ownership as an asset and source of income.
Appointed Attorney General of the Mero District
Named attorney general of the Mero District (a Tennessee region).
Appointed judge-advocate for the militia
Took on legal/military-adjacent responsibilities as judge-advocate for the militia.
Married Rachel Donelson Robards (legally)
Jackson and Rachel legally married in January 1794 after earlier cohabitation; marriage would later be politically weaponized against him.
Delegate to Tennessee constitutional convention and elected to U.S. House
Served as a delegate to Tennessee's constitutional convention and was elected the state's first U.S. Representative when Tennessee achieved statehood.
Acquired Hunter's Hill plantation
Acquired first plantation property (Hunter's Hill — 640 acres) near Nashville (acquired in 1796), moving into planter class.
Elected to U.S. Senate from Tennessee
Elected by the Tennessee legislature to the U.S. Senate (took office Sept 26, 1797) but served briefly.
Appointed Justice of the Tennessee Superior Court
Governor John Sevier appointed Jackson to the Tennessee Superior Court in June 1798; he served until resigning in 1804.
Appointed colonel of Tennessee militia; later elected commander
Appointed colonel in 1801 and subsequently elected commander (major general) of the Tennessee militia, increasing his military role and influence.
Elected Major General of Tennessee Militia
Elected major general/commander of the Tennessee militia (vote tied with John Sevier; governor broke tie in Jackson's favor).
Owned nine enslaved people (recorded)
By 1804 Jackson owned nine enslaved people; his reliance on enslaved labor began to increase his assets.
Resigned judgeship and purchased the Hermitage plantation
Resigned from the Tennessee Superior Court (June 1804) and purchased a 420-acre plantation near Nashville later called The Hermitage; had been financially strained after earlier speculation.
Hosted Aaron Burr; flirtation with Burr's expedition
Hosted Aaron Burr at the Hermitage and was briefly drawn into Burr's plans for conquest in the Gulf/Spanish territories but later distanced himself and aided Burr's arrest.
Duel with Charles Dickinson; Dickinson killed
In May 1806 Jackson fought a famous duel with Charles Dickinson; Jackson was wounded but killed Dickinson. Event tarnished but also reinforced Jackson's image for toughness.
War of 1812: offered services and raised volunteers
After the U.S. declared war on Britain (June 1812), Jackson offered to raise volunteers; in Jan 1813 enlisted over 2,000 volunteers, beginning his national military rise.
Battle of Tallushatchee / Talladega victories in Creek War
Jackson's forces (with cavalry under Coffee) defeated Red Stick Creek forces at Tallushatchee (Nov 3, 1813) and later at Talladega, part of his campaign to crush the Red Sticks.
Battle of Horseshoe Bend — decisive Creek defeat
Jackson led the combined forces that overwhelmed the Red Sticks at Horseshoe Bend (March 1814), breaking their power and leading to large land cessions.
Appointed brigadier general in U.S. Army
Appointed brigadier general on June 8, 1814, and shortly after made brevet major general with command over the Seventh Military District.
Treaty of Fort Jackson — 23,000,000 acres ceded
With authority, Jackson imposed the Treaty of Fort Jackson (Aug 1814), forcing the Creek to cede roughly 23,000,000 acres to the United States.
Capture of Pensacola (Spanish Florida)
Entered Florida and defeated Spanish and British forces at Pensacola (Nov 7, 1814), setting stage for U.S. claims on Florida.
Battle of New Orleans — national hero
Led a diverse force to a decisive victory over the British at New Orleans (Jan 8, 1815), gaining national fame.
Thanks of Congress and Congressional Gold Medal
On Feb 27, 1815, Congress gave Jackson its formal Thanks and awarded a Congressional Gold Medal for his defense of New Orleans.
Commands in Florida; actions against Negro Fort and Seminoles
Ordered operations in Florida including destruction of the 'Negro Fort' (1816) and later operations initiating what became the First Seminole War (1817–1818).
Trial and execution of British subjects Ambrister and Arbuthnot
Captured and executed two British subjects implicated in aiding Seminoles; caused international controversy but advanced U.S. position in Florida.
Adams–Onís Treaty — Spain cedes Florida to U.S.
Spain negotiated cession of Florida to the United States (Adams–Onís Treaty, finalized 1819) — outcome influenced by Jackson's campaigns.
Slave ownership exceeds 100 by 1820
By the 1820 census period Jackson owned over 100 enslaved people; his planter wealth and status grew markedly.
Military Governor / first U.S. military governor of Florida
Served briefly (March–December 1821) as military governor of Florida during the transition from Spanish to U.S. control.
Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee
Served as Grand Master for Tennessee Freemasons (1822–1823), a significant fraternal leadership role in the state.
Elected U.S. Senator (returned to federal office)
Elected by the Tennessee legislature to the U.S. Senate (took office March 4, 1823) and used the seat to build national alliances for a presidential bid.
Runs for President — wins plurality but loses in House (1824 election)
Won a plurality of the popular and electoral vote in 1824 but lost the contingent election in the House when Henry Clay backed John Quincy Adams.
Resigns Senate and returns to the Hermitage
Resigned his Senate seat after the 1824 contingent election and returned to Tennessee; supporters organized for another campaign.
Elected President of the United States (1828 election)
Won the 1828 presidential election in a landslide over incumbent John Quincy Adams, after a bitter campaign of personal attacks.
Death of Rachel Jackson
Rachel Jackson, his wife, died at the Hermitage shortly after the election; Jackson blamed political attacks for hastening her death.
Inaugurated as 7th President
Took the presidential oath and began what became a two-term administration, emphasizing the 'common man' and rotation in office.
Vetoes Maysville Road bill (internal improvements veto)
Vetoed a bill funding the Maysville Road, arguing against federal funding for strictly local projects.
Signs the Indian Removal Act
Signed the Indian Removal Act (May 1830), authorized removal of Native American tribes east of the Mississippi — led to the Trail of Tears.
Petticoat (Peggy Eaton) Affair — cabinet reshuffle
Social scandal involving Peggy Eaton led to mass resignations and a major reshuffle of Jackson's cabinet during April 1831.
Vetoes recharter of the Second Bank of the United States
Vetoed the bill to reauthorize the Second Bank (July 10, 1832), beginning the 'Bank War' and positioning himself against concentrated financial power.
Nullification Proclamation — rejects state nullification
Issued a proclamation (Dec 1832) rejecting South Carolina's claim to nullify federal tariff laws and asserting federal supremacy; set stage for Force Bill.
Signs the Force Bill and accepts Compromise Tariff
Signed the Force Bill (Mar 2, 1833), authorizing the use of force to enforce federal laws, and accepted a compromise tariff to defuse nullification.
Orders removal of federal deposits from the Bank of the U.S.
Directed removal of federal deposits from the Second Bank to state 'pet' banks (June 1833), a central act in dismantling the Bank.
Senate censure (1834) of Jackson (later expunged)
In 1834 the Senate passed a resolution censuring Jackson for his actions regarding federal deposits and separation of powers; the censure was later expunged.
Announces the national debt paid off (only president to do so)
Administration paid off the national debt by January 1, 1835; Jackson announced the achievement in December 1834 — unique presidential milestone.
Survives attempted assassination
Richard Lawrence attempted to shoot Jackson on Jan 30, 1835; both pistols misfired and Jackson survived; event increased his public stature.
Appropriates funds for Cherokee removal (New Echota Treaty implementation)
Signed the 'Surplus' and removal-implementation acts; on July 2, 1836 Congress appropriated $1,836,600 for Cherokee removal under the New Echota Treaty.
Specie Circular issued (via Treasury Dept.)
Directed by Jackson (July 1836), the Specie Circular required public land purchases be made in specie (gold/silver), influencing later economic contraction.
Returns to the Hermitage and manages plantation
Returned to Tennessee to manage The Hermitage, its enslaved workforce and family affairs after presidency.
Leaves office; Farewell Address
Concluded two terms as president (March 4, 1837) and delivered a farewell address; his chosen successor, Martin Van Buren, was elected in 1836.
Supports annexation of Texas
Publicly supported annexation of Texas and later the policies of James K. Polk, influencing expansionist policy prior to his death.
Owned over 150 enslaved people at death; lifetime total ~300
By death Jackson owned over 150 enslaved people and had owned approximately 300 across his lifetime — a major component of his estate's value.
Death at the Hermitage
Died on June 8, 1845, at The Hermitage near Nashville; left an estate based on land and enslaved labor and a contested legacy.
Posthumous recognition: Hall of Fame (historical recognition)
Andrew Jackson's historical image was recognized and debated for decades; later institutional recognitions memorialized his role.
Key Achievement Ages
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