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To understand the financial problems of Andrew Jackson, Jr. and his family, some background information is necessaryf~ Rachel Donelson was childless throughout her marriagejto Andrew Jackson, but the wife of her brother Severn had twins, one of whom was aee?f>te? from early age as the son of Andrew and Rachel Jackson. According to one story, his biological mother was sickly and could not care for twins. While this may not be factual, it was accepted that the Jacksons would adopt one and raise him as their own. He was even given the name, Andrew Jackson, Jr^he foster father cared for several wards, and even adopted a Creek infant during the war. It happened that he was orphaned in one of the battles in which the Creeks were nearly annihilated, and the general, on hearing the crying of this child, asked that he be given to another Indian woman. On being told that there was no one who could care for any more than she had, the enigmatic soldier took the baby to himself. His name was Lincoyer, and he was raised fully as one of the family and educated, but unfortunately, died in his teens of tuberculosis. But none of the others were treated as actual sons as was Andrew Jr.
History records that enormous amounts of love, affection, and privileges were granted to Andrew Jr. from the beginning. In today?s words, it would be said that he was spoiled, especially when finances were involved.
The President himself had enormous money problems through much of his adult life. While strong in character and of a resolute disposition, it is not an exaggeration to say that he spoiled Andrew, Jr. He caused most of the President?s cash difficulties, which were in evidence until the President died in 1845. While he had assets consisting of the Hermitage, its slaves, and other real estate, he had no money. He borrowed $2,000 not long before his death, raising his total debt to $26,000. In 1840, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans, he agreed to attend the celebration in New Orleans in spite of his declining health and advancing age. The reason: to borrow some
much-needed cash from some of his loyal friends, including Gen. Plauch^g)____________________
Andrew Jr.?s pattern of spending grew into a habit from early age. As a student, he accumulated a debt of $309 to his clothing outfitter in six and a half months. He bought a new wardrobe, including a ten-dollar hat. a $26 suit, and silk hose at $ 1.50 a pair. He had his own horse, his own body servant and imported kerchiefs.
In 1834, at age 26, he repurchased Hunter?s hill (which was adjacent to Hermitage and had been lost by forced sale by Jackson many years before) for $10,000. He signed one and two-year notes but could give his father no copies or details for nine months. It was a gross overpayment and the contract allowed the proceeds of cotton sales to go directly to the seller. Typically, he had overestimated the cotton crop. The following year, when the second note was due, there were seven late frosts, killing half the crop. Still Jackson, Jr. was optimistic.
The Hermitage had a disastrous fire during Jackson?s second term, and as he was busy in Washington, it fell to Jackson Jr. and his wife Sarah to supervise the reconstruction and furnishing of the new Hermitage. The cost was four times the estimate. This was in 1836, after the President had written to his son: ?Our real wants are few, our imaginary wants many, which never ought to be gratified by creating a debt to satisfy them.?
In 1838, the President paid $7,000, mostly to satisfy the obligations of Andrew Jr. who had endorsed notes of others.