In a significant development, the lost graves of 28 enslaved laborers have been discovered at the Hermitage, the former estate of U.S. President Andrew Jackson, located in Nashville, Tennessee. This finding sheds light on a long-overlooked part of American history, where more than 300 enslaved individuals lived and worked on the estate in the early 19th century.
Unearthing the Hidden History
For decades, efforts to locate the graves of enslaved individuals at the Hermitage had been unsuccessful, despite historical records indicating that over two dozen enslaved people died while working at the estate. These individuals were buried somewhere on the property, but their graves remained elusive until recently.
In early 2024, the search for these burial sites was reinvigorated through a generous donation from an anonymous benefactor. The funds were used to deploy advanced technologies like aerial imaging and ground-penetrating radar, alongside careful research into historical documents. These efforts culminated in the discovery of 28 graves marked by subtle ground depressions and limestone slabs in January 2024.
The discovery is being celebrated by the Andrew Jackson Foundation, which is now exploring ways to honor and preserve the memory of these individuals, recognizing their vital roles in the history of the Hermitage and in the broader context of American history.
Andrew Jackson’s Legacy and the Enslaved Laborers
Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States, is a controversial figure, known for his expansionist policies and harsh treatment of Native American populations. Before his presidency, Jackson was a successful lawyer and businessman who settled in Nashville in 1788. In 1804, he purchased 425 acres of land, later expanding the estate to more than 1,100 acres.
At the time of his death in 1845, Jackson employed 150 enslaved individuals at the Hermitage, where they worked in various roles, from agricultural labor to domestic service. Jackson even took some of these enslaved workers with him to the White House. These workers played a crucial part in maintaining and expanding the estate, but their lives and contributions were long overlooked in historical narratives.
A Long-Awaited Discovery
Historians had known that at least two dozen enslaved individuals had died at the Hermitage, but their graves had remained a mystery. As Tony Guzzi, the chief of preservation for the Andrew Jackson Foundation, noted, “Any time you have this large of a population of enslaved people at the site, there has to be a cemetery somewhere.” For years, this gap in the estate’s history was one of the most glaring missing pieces.
The newly discovered graves are not only important for the history of the Hermitage but also for understanding the lives of the enslaved people who lived there. Their work was integral to the development of Jackson’s estate, and now, thanks to modern technology and renewed efforts, their stories are being uncovered.
Preserving the Memory of the Enslaved Laborers
Now that the graves have been located, the Andrew Jackson Foundation is focused on preserving and honoring these individuals. The foundation is working to create a fitting memorial for the 28 enslaved laborers whose remains were discovered, and to ensure that their contributions to the estate and American history are never forgotten.
This discovery marks a significant step toward acknowledging the full history of the Hermitage and its role in the broader narrative of slavery in the United States. The memory of these individuals, long overshadowed, is now being brought to the forefront, ensuring that their lives are remembered and respected for generations to come.
