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Discovery of Enslaved Cemetery at Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage

Following Andrew Jackson’s inauguration as the seventh president of the United States in 1829, he was the owner of a large plantation in Nashville, known as “The Hermitage,” which included 95 enslaved people. Recent developments from the Andrew Jackson Foundation, which currently manages The Hermitage, reveal the finding of graves for approximately 28 enslaved individuals buried on the estate.

By the time of Jackson’s passing in 1845, the number of enslaved people he owned had increased to 150, while the plantation itself had grown to encompass around 1,000 acres. In total, it is estimated that he and his family held over 300 enslaved individuals from 1788 until the conclusion of the Civil War in 1865.

According to Tony Guzzi, The Hermitage’s chief of preservation and site operations, “Any time you have this large of a population of enslaved people at the site, there has to be a cemetery somewhere. And we have found that piece of history that was missing,” as reported by Annie Correal in the New York Times.

Cemetery for Enslaved Individuals Acknowledged

This significant discovery was made possible through advancements in technology and a tip from a historical agricultural report dating back to 1935. This report had indicated the presence of grave sites and significant trees in the area. Subsequently, archaeologists utilized ground-penetrating radar to uncover potential graves without interrupting the site’s integrity, confirming their findings through careful excavation.

Guzzi noted that the burial site was located about 1,000 feet northwest of the main house, situated near a creek. Remarkably, the site has remained undisturbed for nearly 180 years, shrouded in vegetation and free from agricultural disruption.

Jackson purchased The Hermitage on July 5, 1804, initially a 425-acre estate which he expanded into a cotton plantation. The Hermitage’s website provides insights into the lives of some enslaved individuals who labored on the plantation. Notably, just three months after his purchase, Jackson circulated an advertisement offering a reward for the return of an enslaved person who had escaped, further illustrating the harsh realities of slavery during that era.

During his presidency, Jackson also brought 14 enslaved people with him to the White House. According to the White House Historical Association, these individuals likely contributed to various renovations of the historic building, including the installation of running water.

Contextualizing Recent Findings

The Hermitage now joins the ranks of other presidential estates such as Monticello, Mount Vernon, and Montpelier, where burial grounds for enslaved individuals have been identified. This reinforces the significance of remembering and acknowledging the lives of those who suffered under the institution of slavery.

Carlina de la Cova, a bioarchaeologist from the University of South Carolina, reflected on the implications of these discoveries, emphasizing the historical context of Jackson’s plantation as both a privileged space for white elites and a site of forced labor and subjugation of Black individuals.

The recently located gravesite has been enclosed to preserve its significance, and The Hermitage plans to include the site in a newly established free tour, as reported by Travis Loller of the Associated Press. A dedicated advisory committee comprising historians and descendants of enslaved individuals will contribute to memorializing the site appropriately.

Jason R. Zajac, president and CEO of the Andrew Jackson Foundation, noted the historical importance of the findings, asserting, “It is historically significant, after decades of searching, that we are highly confident we have found the cemetery for people who were enslaved at The Hermitage.” However, the foundation has urged caution regarding the exact number of graves discovered, indicating that further research and exploration may still yield additional findings.

With the growing recognition of America’s complex and often troubling history surrounding slavery, such discoveries serve as critical reminders of the past, prompting reflection and deeper understanding of the legacy of slavery in American history.

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