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1858,	written from New Orleans. It is not clear why Sarah had not accompanied him. His letters are remarkable in illustrating the depths and heights of his mood swings.
Andrew Jr. wrote to Sarah on the 7th that the letter that he was to write was ?a very unpleassant and melancholy letter,'announcing ?a great misfortune... our beautiful Little Residence there is all Burned down and lies in ashes ...alass, alass?what will become of us It is a hard case-?well it is done and it cannot be mended?let us never despair - but hope for the best
?	I shall go I shall go on tomorrow to Clifton ?& there deposit all our Furniture until we can arrange things to suit us better...but alass?alass?alass?what shall we do.? [Andrew Jackson Jr. to Sarah Jackson, hiias^fe. New Orleans April 7, 1858], The htt?r -^h' i^irlr^^ritt^n y?r ? -'"?t'vnpnrnnfinnslv Ttrm hid the blame for the fire squarely on the carelessness of the servants Ben and Creasy whom he suspect^oF lighting a fire while surreptitiously sleeping in the house. Here he ignored the story that Ben and Creasy had told to Samuel, if indeed he had heard that story, or had contrary evidence. He continued, saying ?...my god it is too bad?there seems a (illegible) hanging over us?what shall we do?.? [Andrew Jackson Jr. to Sarah Jackson, -fife--wt??sNew Orleans April 7, 1858].
His depressive outlook continued in a second letter to Sarah, written on April 8th: ?My God - how dreadful and apaling <sic> it is - what is the matter and what is to become of us - it seems our heavenly Father intends to punish me for my sins - of that his rod may now cease -and that we (I) may alter the course of my life - if spared a Little Longer.? Then, in the very next lines, his spirit turned apparently optimistic and positive: ?I shall go to Clifton -- & do the best I can - I intend to put Ned and Phill - with a good carpenter - Mr. Johnson - and rebuild - this summer and hole by the Smiles of Providence - to have all ready for us - by the Fall - say by November or the 1st of December - so cheer up - never despair ([?]) I trust all will come out right yet.? He then advised Sarah to remain at the Hermitage till fall.220
On May 4, 1858, Samuel wrote to his mother to say that his father was making arrangements for the building of the house. He also mentioned that he expected the cotton crop to be a good one, although his estimate had become more realistic. ?The cotton looks beautiful and
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The house that was built by Mr.^ohnsmy according to local Hancock County
tradition, was believed to have been built General Andrew Jackson. The legend has
some parallels to actual history, including the names of Jackson and Johnson, and that the
new house replaced a older house that had burned. Known as the Jackson House, this
one also burned, the year being 1935. The site is now occupied by Buccaneer Park, in
Waveland.