Happy Presidents’ Day, Greenville. We hope those of you lucky enough to have work or school off today are celebrating the occasion with a slew of presidential activities. Perhaps you’re re-watching ‘All the President’s Men,’ or searching for a bald eagle – while eating apple pie and wearing red, white + blue.
Or maybe you’re enjoying the day at one of S.C.’s State Parks, like Andrew Jackson State Park in Lancaster (~2 hours from Greenville) which brings us to today’s topic of discussion: Was Andrew Jackson, America’s 7th president, born in S.C. or N.C.?
This has been a debate since Jackson’s death in 1845 – all started by family members, Maury-style.
We do know that he was born in a log cabin – but the debated locations of that cabin are ~1.5 miles + a state line away from one another. Allegedly, he was born somewhere in the Waxhaw area, a region that crosses the state line + encompasses land south of Charlotte, N.C. to Lancaster, S.C., on March 15, 1767.
S.C. argument
Jackson once wrote a letter claiming he was born at an aunt’s home in S.C. + approved a map that indicated his birth home was Lancaster County, S.C. (But some say he claimed S.C. to warm up to them during the federal tariff vs. states’ rights argument.)
N.C. argument
A family member said she was present at his birth at his other aunt’s house, which was in Union County, N.C.
Final answer?
Depends on who you want to believe. There are several markers about + statues of Jackson in both states. The South Carolina State Museum clarifies he was born in the Waxhaw area of *South Carolina.* But regardless, people in each state still debate the issue.
I mean, this state rivalry runs deep. For years, high schools in Lancaster County, S.C. and Union County, N.C. played each other in an annual football game for dibs on claiming Jackson for the following year. That’s serious stuff.
Whether you spend your day picking a side in this great state debate, or you just enjoy some time off with family + friends, we hope you have a great Presidents’ Day.
