Q5AJP2

 Andrew Jackson had a very hard childhood. He lost his father a month after he was born. His mother was left by herself to watch three young boys in Waxhaw, North Carolina. The four moved in with Jackson’s Aunt Jane and her family. Jackson’s education was in an old school house with one room, no windows, and had logs as seats. He wasn’t very happy about this so he skipped school most days. During school hours, Jackson was quite the bully. He teased most kids, but when he was the butte of the joke, you got to see his nasty temper. He was still a brilliant child and unlike most kids, he could read. People of the town would gather around to listen to him reading the newspaper. Sadly, he  didn't attend college.  In 1780, his brother, Hugh, died fighting in the Revolutionary War. A short time after, Jackson and his brother was captured and thrown into the militia jail. They caught smallpox from other prisoners and on the way home, Robert, Jackson’s other brother, died. His mother continued to care for others until 1781 when she caught cholera and died. Jackson was now 14 years old and all by himself. When all of his family had passed, he started traveling and living with different family members, and he was almost always in trouble. Eventually, he found a lovely family with a lovely daughter named Rachel Donelson. They got married in 1791 and again in 1794 when they found out their first marriage wasn't legal. Jackson got the position as a judge and loved every minute of it.  In 1806, Jackson got in a duel which ended terribly. He fought Charles Dickinson because he insulted his wife. Jackson ended up shooting and killing Dickinson.Before his death, Dickinson got one good shot at Jackson’s chest and the bullet never left. For the rest of his life, Jackson had to live with the bullet in his chest. In 1809, Jackson and his wife adopted a child. When the war of 1812 occurred, Jackson was considered a war hero for saving his men even though he was told to leave them behind. In 1828, Rachel, Jackson’s wife, started to become gravely ill. With Jackson by her side, she had a heart attack and passed away. On March 4, 1829, he became president and and served until 1837. When he retired, he went back to his home in Hermitage and sadly his battle wounds caused him much pain. On June 8, 1845, Jackson lied on his deathbed and said, “We shall all m eet in Heaven."   (Naomi)