Located in College of Charleston's Cougar Mall sits former President Andrew Jackson's mother's headstone. Elizabeth Jackson's headstone my be in the heart of the College of Charleston but her body is not. The location of her body to this day remains a mystery.
In 1780, the British decided to invade Charleston, SC leaving hundreds of patriots killed or wounded. With the revolution underway, Andrew and his brothers Robert and Hugh decided to join the regiment. Hugh died in the Battle of Stono Ferry which took place shortly after they joined. Later on the British were gaining the upper hand. Robert and Andrew were both taken as prisoners by the British and both became sick with smallpox. Elizabeth then did what any mother would do and arranged for a prisoner transfer. The boys had to walk forty miles to return home but sadly Robert was too weak and died.
After her boys were released, Elizabeth went to Charleston to tend to the remaining prisoners. The prisoners were kept on prison ships docked in the Charleston Harbor. The ships were filled with people with cholera which Elizabeth ended up contracting. November 1781 Elizabeth died and at the age of 14, Andrew became an orphan.
It is believed that Elizabeth Jackson is buried in an unmarked grave on a hill in Waxhaws. Her headstone was originally located in Old Waxhaws Presbyterian Church cemetery which is where Andrew's father and brothers were buried. The marker was moved in 1967 to its current location because the previous site was apparently poorly kept.
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| Elizabeth Jackson's headstone. The writing is a small portion of advice she gave to Andrew before dying. |
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