Andrew Jackson
- Grand Master of Tennessee
(1822-1824)
First Day Cover
Brother Andrew Jackson was the
seventh president of the United States. In a
signed and numbered sculpture by
T. Clark he is standing before an "Old Hickory" branch which was a nickname
bestowed upon him during the War of 1812 by soldiers who declared him "tough as
hickory." The coin on the branch's cut edge is a mark, a token received by all
York Rite Masons. Jackson is claimed as a native son by both the North
Carolina and Tennessee, and it is still disputed if he was actually born in
North or South Carolina. I have visited his home, the Heritage, which stands
near Nashville, Tennessee and is now considered a national shrine. The sculpture
is reminiscent of Thomas Sully's portrait of Jackson, which was also the pose
for Jackson's portrait on the twenty-dollar bill. Brother Jackson is depicted
during his presidential years (1829 - 1837) with the Great Seal of the United
States placed by his feet. Elected president at age 61, he walked bareheaded to
the Capitol for his inauguration, standing tall, lean and ramrod straight. His
formal dress may belie his reputation as the president who was truly of and for
the common man, and indeed, he was the first president to be born in a log
cabin. Known as a fighter both on the battlefield and in the White House.
Jackson's slogan was "Let the people rule."
