The Mysterious Headstone

Elizabeth Jackson's headstone located in
front of Robert Scott Small Building

The words on this headstone read:

Near this spot is buried,

Elizabeth Jackson, 

Mother of President Andrew Jackson,

She gave her life cheerfully for 

the independence of her country,

on an unrecorded date in Nov. 1781,

And to her son Andy this advice: 

"Andy, never tell a lie, 

Nor take what is not your own,

Nor sue for slander,

Settle those cases yourself."

Andrew Jackson, son of Elizabeth
Jackson and 7th President
of the U.S.A. 

Elizabeth Jackson and her family moved to America in 1765 where they bought land and started a life for themselves. Years later when the British invaded Charleston, SC during the Revolutionary War, Elizabeth Jackson and her family came to Waxhaw church and helped the sick and wounded soldiers after the massacre in the Waxhaw settlement. Soon after the massacre, Andrew Jackson and two brothers joined a patriot regiment, where one of his brothers died. Soon after , the two brothers were captured and held as prisoners in Camden, SC. Elizabeth Jackson was able to arrange for her sons transfer, unfortunately both boys were infected with small pox and Andrew Jacksons brother died just after returning home. After her son Andrew Jackson got well she returned to Charleston Harbor and helped the wounded soldiers and prisoners in the Charleston Harbor. Shortly after, Elizabeth Jackson died from cholera during the cholera epidemic. According to Agnes Barton, Elizabeth Jackson was nursed in Mrs. Barton's home and when she died they buried her on a hill in a simple unmarked grave. So why is Elizabeth Jackson's headstone on the College of Charleston's campus? No one really knows, and no one really knows where she is buried. The marker was moved to its current location in 1967 from its original location about 2 1/2 miles uptown. 
There are many articles written about Andrew Jacksons mother and her life, but none can provide substantial evidence or truthful reasoning as to why  Elizabeth Jacksons headstone is on CofC campus. 

Thank you to these two websites for the information! Click here or here to read more.