Andrew Jackson's Lost Mother at CofC

Marker, at CofC

Ever noticed this gravestone near the Robert Scott Small building at College of Charleston? It's Elizabeth Hutchinson Jackson's Gravestone and she is Andrew Jackson's Mother. The story of how her gravestone came to CofC was a mystery until now.


Elizabeth Hutchinson Jackson was born in 1740 in Carrickfergus, Ireland. She later married Andrew Jackson (Husband) and had two children (Hugh and Robert) before they moved to America. They ran from Ireland because they were receiving religious persecution at the time. Sadly, three weeks after her husband's unexpected death, Andrew was born, so he did not even get to meet his father. 
She raised Andrew during her work as a housekeeper and a nurse; During the time of the Revolutionary War, Andrew wanted to battle the British and Elizabeth was the nurse for many of the wounded. Elizabeth's last words to her son were in "When Prose Becomes Poetry", so that he would remember to make something happy out of sorrow. Awhile after that, Elizabeth was tending many soldiers on a ship and caught cholera, which is a fever and she passed away. 

Memorial of Elizabeth H. Jackson

There was controversy about where she was actually buried; Mostly, she was buried on a hill with an unmarked grave. It was said that she was probably buried near "The Governor's Gate", which is now called Magnolia Cemetery. Her memorial is placed at Washington Park. 

Her grave marker was saved by a few townsfolk in 1967, placed at a not-so-friendly side of the town. Over the years, nature took over the marker and no one could really tell whose it was. So, Some Charleston Historians successfully moved it to the site where it is now, just before Ted Stern became president at College of Charleston. 

My Great Grandma Earline

So our professor for our Beyond the Grave Course presented to us, a project about ancestry with our great grandparents and on. I decided to write about my great grandmother because I had heard so many stories about her and she would just come up in conversation throughout my life.

Earline Brown Hudson

Pictured here is Earline Brown Hudson; Mother of my grand father. My family (me included) call her Grandma Earline. At times, she would look very dark complected. She was born June 25th, 1929 and died August 8th, 1989. She lived in Summerville, South Carolina. She worked for Evans Rule Company, which is almost like Home Dept and the company specializes in office supplies and agriculture, like gardening and such; it is also currently permanently closed. She passed away from Cardiac Arrest (Heart Attack) in her sleep. Pictured below is her grave that is in Dorchester Momorial Gardens in Summerville.

Grandma Earline's Grave

 Again, there are so many stories about her so I will do the ones that stick out the most to me. I've heard from my grandparents that she believed in Psychics, Spirits, and such. She believes in them so much that she goes to a Psychic that she trusts, who's name is Elizabeth Barron. I am not sure if Elizabeth is still alive. 

Another story is that Earline fed my Aunt French fries, specifically McDonald's when she was a baby up until about she was two years old. So, when my Aunt was with my Grandmother, she would always say something about French Fries. Grandma Earline also made my Aunt love cooking. 

Grandma Earline holding my Aunt when she was 2

Her personality was very strict but loving, which is probably where my grandfather got his strictness. She was known to be strict but also known for being very spiritual. My grandfather said that he sees her in my grandmother and my aunt sometimes and that strikes some fear.
We believe that my grandfather's ancestors are Native Americans, but we do not know what tribe. Our family's beliefs align more with the Native American's but also with Christianity.

Ansestry Proposal!

 Great-Grandma Earline Brown Hudson is the person that I am going to research because I have heard so many stories about her. Her grave is in North Charleston.

Bethel Graveyard Symbol Scavanger Hunt!

Bethel United Methodist Church was founded in the civil war  in 1872 and the church was dedicated in 1875. The Church has history throughout the Civil war.

 This symbol is a wreath and indicates someone with value of architecture or literature. The type of grave marker is a die on socket and the person that died is Sarah Ann Pelzer who was born June 15th, 1831, died October 10th, 1872.

 This symbol is also a wreath but indicates a book. This symbol meant that this person was of a high standard and had a lot of intellect. The Pulpet marker indicates that this person had a lot of knowledge. The person that was buried here was William H. Fleming, D.D., born January 1st, 1824, died April 16th, 1877 and he was one of the church's pastor's.

The symbol marked here is Roses, which indicate Beauty and unconditional love. The marker is called a Die on Socket, but the grave broke. The person that died here is Mary Louisa, who died in Sumpter, S.C. in January 20th, 1864 and was 28 years old.

 This symbol is a willow tree, which symbolizes sorrow and mourning. The grave marker is a headstone and the person that died is named James F.M.Lord, he died Febuary 16th, 1862 and was 37 years old.

 This symbol is an angel and this often indicates that this person is destined twards Heaven. The grave marker is a Die on Base and the person that is buried here is Rebecca Jane, who was born January 22nd, 1856 and died November 21st, 1873.

 This symbol is a dove, which indicates that the person is pure and devoted with a divine spirit. The grave marker is a headstone and the person that is being memorialized is Elizabeth M. Ainger, who was born October 14th, 1807 and died October 6th, 1872. She was a mother.

 This symbol is a cross with ivy, which indicates that the person will be forever remembered in Christ. The grave marker is a Die on Socket and seems to be broken.

 This symbol is a Weeping Willow with an Urn, which indicates Sorrow, Mourning, and Nature's Lament; Also, indicates Mourning of the deceased. This grave marker is a Headstone that was knocked down and the person that was buried here is named Elizabeth Furchess, who was born November 11th, 1788 and died December 6th, 1858.

This symbol is a cross and indicates eternity and never-ending existence; This is also the most common on gravestones. The grave marker that is pictured here is a foot stone of Francis W. Capers, who was a part of the Confederate States Army and was born on August 8th, 1819 and died on January 12th, 1892. 

This symbol is a Lamb, which indicates a child and signifies innocence and purity. The type of grave marker is a ledger that is broken. The person's name is hard to see, since it is covered by grass.