Birthplace, Mordecai Historical Park, Raleigh, North Carolina
Andrew Johnson was born in a log cabin to nearly illiterate parents, on December 29, 1808, in Raleigh, North Carolina. His father, Jacob Johnson, had scratched out a living as a hotel porter and bank janitor in Raleigh. Tragically, Jacob died while trying to save two of his wealthy employers from drowning when Andrew was three years old. His widowed mother worked as a weaver and a spinner to feed Andrew and his older brother William. She married Turner Daugherty when Andrew was still a boy, though the addition to the family did not much improve family finances. At age fourteen, his parents apprenticed Andrew and William to a local tailor, with whom the two boys worked for several years before running away. After being on the run for two years-with a reward on their heads-Andrew returned to Raleigh in 1826 to reunite with his mother and stepfather before moving west in a one-horse cart to Greeneville, Tennessee, where the seventeen-year-old Andrew set up shop as a tailor.
At Mordecai Historic Park, on the "village street," is the small dwelling where Andrew Johnson was born. At the time of his birth, the building served as a kitchen and residence behind Casso's Inn in downtown Raleigh. In 1826, the family headed west and settled in Greenville, Tennessee. There, Johnson opened his own tailor shop and gained respect and popularity in the community, leading to elected offices, including governor of Tennessee and U.S. Senator.
Birthplace Replica, Greeneville, Tennessee
The traditional story of Andrew Johnson's birth is held firmly in place by the preservation of a small historic structure located in Mordecai Park in Raleigh, North Carolina. That small building, probably built in the late 1700s, was part of a complex of buildings known as Casso's Inn, a well known hotel of that period located in Raleigh.
This Inn was where Andrew Johnson's father worked as a stable keeper and his mother worked as a weaver. According to tradition, Andrew Johnson was born in the loft of the kitchen at the Inn. The story goes that on December 29, 1808 a wedding party was in progress at the tavern when the festivities were interrupted by news of the birth of a baby to the Johnsons. According to the same tradition, the bride went to the cabin at the back of the Inn to visit with the baby and his mother.
The building here is a replica of that birthplace of Andrew Johnson. It represents an important part the Andrew Johnson story and speaks of a man who began his life in very humble conditions and later became the seventeenth President of the United States of America.
Early Home, Greeneville, Tennessee
Andrew Johnson and his family lived in this two-story brick house from sometime in the 1830s until 1851. During these years, Johnson's life changed drastically as he ventured from the tailoring trade into politics. After being elected alderman of Greeneville, he became mayor. From then on, his rise was steady - to state representative, state senator, and United States representative. In 1853, he was elected governor of Tennessee and was sent to the United States Senate in 1857.
Homestead, Greeneville, Tennessee
The Andrew Johnson Homestead was the last home of Andrew Johnson (1808-1875), 17th President of the United States (1865-1869). Congressman Andrew Johnson purchased the house and half-acre lot from James Brannan in September 1851. Built directly on the street in Northern Irish fashion, the house first consisted of a two-story front and a one-story ell. In 1868-1869, the second story of the ell was added in preparation of the retiring President's return to Greeneville. While revealing characteristics of the more fashionable Greek revival period, Johnson's home also reflects the older style Federal style of architecture, which was still popular in East Tennessee in the 1840s. The façade of the Homestead exhibits the strict symmetry of traditional Federal design. Above the windows are reeded wooden lintels flanked by bull's eye corner blocks. The simple window frames are adorned with louvered shutters. Framed by pilasters, which support a flat entablature, the Greek revival doorway is bordered by small side lights. Other Greek revival characteristics of the house include the brick cornice, with dentils, and the transom. Restored in 1956-1957, the Homestead appears as it did during the last years of the former President's life.
Library, Tusculum College, Greeneville, Tennessee
The President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library is housed in the oldest building on the Tusculum College Campus. The building was built in 1841 for a total of $4,000.00. Andrew Johnson gave a $20.00 donation for the construction of the building, one of the largest local donations according to the minutes of the Board of Trustees. Johnson often found himself on the campus where he met with students and developed his debating skills. Andrew Johnson also served as a trustee of Tusculum College from 1844 to 1875.
President Johnson's great granddaughter, Margaret Johnson Patterson Bartlett graduated from Tusculum College in 1924. She donated the initial artifacts for the museum and her estate has also acquired additional artifacts for the museum.
Gravesite, Andrew Johnson National Cemetery, Greeneville, Tennessee
Andrew Johnson died at age 66 of a stroke suffered in Carter County, Tennessee on July 31, 1875. He had been elected to the senate that year and remains the only man to serve as senator after being president. He lies beneath the turf of steep Sackett's Hill, in Greeneville, Tennessee, his body wrapped in the American flag with a copy of the Constitution resting beneath his head. His wife, Eliza, died the following year on January 15, 1876 and is buried beside him beneath an impressive eagle-topped monument erected by the family in 1878. Their immediate family members and many descendants are also buried in this family plot.
The president's burial site was designated a national cemetery in 1906. The War Department developed and maintained it until 1942. Its management was then transferred to the National Park Service and it became a part of the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site.
Andrew Johnson was born in a log cabin to nearly illiterate parents, on December 29, 1808, in Raleigh, North Carolina. His father, Jacob Johnson, had scratched out a living as a hotel porter and bank janitor in Raleigh. Tragically, Jacob died while trying to save two of his wealthy employers from drowning when Andrew was three years old. His widowed mother worked as a weaver and a spinner to feed Andrew and his older brother William. She married Turner Daugherty when Andrew was still a boy, though the addition to the family did not much improve family finances. At age fourteen, his parents apprenticed Andrew and William to a local tailor, with whom the two boys worked for several years before running away. After being on the run for two years-with a reward on their heads-Andrew returned to Raleigh in 1826 to reunite with his mother and stepfather before moving west in a one-horse cart to Greeneville, Tennessee, where the seventeen-year-old Andrew set up shop as a tailor.
The traditional story of Andrew Johnson's birth is held firmly in place by the preservation of a small historic structure located in Mordecai Park in Raleigh, North Carolina. That small building, probably built in the late 1700s, was part of a complex of buildings known as Casso's Inn, a well known hotel of that period located in Raleigh.
This Inn was where Andrew Johnson's father worked as a stable keeper and his mother worked as a weaver. According to tradition, Andrew Johnson was born in the loft of the kitchen at the Inn. The story goes that on December 29, 1808 a wedding party was in progress at the tavern when the festivities were interrupted by news of the birth of a baby to the Johnsons. According to the same tradition, the bride went to the cabin at the back of the Inn to visit with the baby and his mother.
Andrew Johnson and his family lived in this two-story brick house from sometime in the 1830s until 1851. During these years, Johnson's life changed drastically as he ventured from the tailoring trade into politics. After being elected alderman of Greeneville, he became mayor. From then on, his rise was steady - to state representative, state senator, and United States representative. In 1853, he was elected governor of Tennessee and was sent to the United States Senate in 1857.
The Andrew Johnson Homestead was the last home of Andrew Johnson (1808-1875), 17th President of the United States (1865-1869). Congressman Andrew Johnson purchased the house and half-acre lot from James Brannan in September 1851. Built directly on the street in Northern Irish fashion, the house first consisted of a two-story front and a one-story ell. In 1868-1869, the second story of the ell was added in preparation of the retiring President's return to Greeneville. While revealing characteristics of the more fashionable Greek revival period, Johnson's home also reflects the older style Federal style of architecture, which was still popular in East Tennessee in the 1840s. The façade of the Homestead exhibits the strict symmetry of traditional Federal design. Above the windows are reeded wooden lintels flanked by bull's eye corner blocks. The simple window frames are adorned with louvered shutters. Framed by pilasters, which support a flat entablature, the Greek revival doorway is bordered by small side lights. Other Greek revival characteristics of the house include the brick cornice, with dentils, and the transom. Restored in 1956-1957, the Homestead appears as it did during the last years of the former President's life.
The President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library is housed in the oldest building on the Tusculum College Campus. The building was built in 1841 for a total of $4,000.00. Andrew Johnson gave a $20.00 donation for the construction of the building, one of the largest local donations according to the minutes of the Board of Trustees. Johnson often found himself on the campus where he met with students and developed his debating skills. Andrew Johnson also served as a trustee of Tusculum College from 1844 to 1875.
President Johnson's great granddaughter, Margaret Johnson Patterson Bartlett graduated from Tusculum College in 1924. She donated the initial artifacts for the museum and her estate has also acquired additional artifacts for the museum.
Andrew Johnson died at age 66 of a stroke suffered in Carter County, Tennessee on July 31, 1875. He had been elected to the senate that year and remains the only man to serve as senator after being president. He lies beneath the turf of steep Sackett's Hill, in Greeneville, Tennessee, his body wrapped in the American flag with a copy of the Constitution resting beneath his head. His wife, Eliza, died the following year on January 15, 1876 and is buried beside him beneath an impressive eagle-topped monument erected by the family in 1878. Their immediate family members and many descendants are also buried in this family plot.