The Missing Mother: Elizabeth Jackson

Every day in my past two months at College of Charleston I have walked through Cougar Mall. I have been oblivious to the fact there is a grave in plain sight! Today we went right outside our classroom to see Elizabeth Jacksons grave.

Elizabeth Jacksons Grave

"Here 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 by this advice

'Andy, will never tell a lie, 

nor take what is not your own

Nor sue for slander

settle those cases yourself"

Elizabeth Jackson is the Mother of late president Andrew Jackson. She moved to Charleston South Carolina to help the Patriots. They were still prisoners of war on the British ships in the Charleston harbor. While helping these people she sadly passed away and her belongings were sent to Andrew. He never knew where his own mother was buried but it was believed to be somewhere in Charleston. The daughters of the American Revolution heard about this and donated their own monument to her. The president of the College of Charleston Ted Stern heard about her missing body and grave that was falling apart and asked for her resting place to be at the campus. 

Bennett's Tour of Bethel

Arriving at Bethel United Methodist Church we were greeted by rain. We quickly went out into the grave yard to take pictures of different graves before the storm became to much.

This is a image of a cradle grave or bedstead tomb. It is unclear because the dates are hard to read. Buried here is Charles H Muckenfuss. There is a cross with a crown. 

 This grave belongs to Elizabeth Burnham who passed away at age 30. The description says "My Lizzie" which is a very sweet gesture from her husband Robert. It is unclear if the image is a flower.

 This die on base belongs to Olin B. Davis.

It is unclear who this pedestal tomb with a vaulted top belongs to. But it is one of the largest graves in the Bethel Graveyard.

 Buried under this ledger lies a family. George Stephen Pelzer MD, Harriet Ann White, Rosa Ellen Pelzer, and Hallie Pelzer. They all passed on at different times but it is sweet that they are buried as a family.

A flower covered base on socket belonging to Eva Lee. She passed sadly at only 26 years.

A box tomb holding the remains of Elizabeth Ann

Sue Bennett Welcomed us into the beautiful Bethel United Methodist church. She gave us an enriching history lesson on the history of the church itself as well as the history of the Methodist religion in Charleston, all the way up to current day. In the top left image it shows drawing from confederate soldiers during the war on the walls of the church. In this bottom left image it is an old accounting book. However Bennett taught us how during the war the book was not used for about a year because of all of the shellings and what was taking place.

Sue was an amazing speaker who really had a deep knowledge in Charleston history. Additionally she took us on a tour of some of the new church house grounds which was nice to see and shows how passionate she is about her work.

It is unclear who the graves above belong too. However they are both important in remembering some ones life. The left is a headstone and the right is a pedestal tomb with a vaulted top.

The inside of Bethel from the balcony where the slaves sat in the 1800s. Very big and beautiful. 

Meeting Ruth Miller: One of Charlestons Finest Historians

Last class we had the privilege of having Ruth Miller come and speak to us. She has a large knowledge of the religious history in South Carolina and was able to relate it to the churches and graves we will be visiting.

According to her website she is extremely well educated and traveled. She specializes in religion and is a registered Charleston tour guide. In addition she has a book about Charleston history.

I was surprised to hear from Ms. Miller that, “Charleston had more money than new york city did”. But after hearing about the grave history I quickly believed her. There was "No stone just pure sand" the people from Charleston who wanted to get buried had to have stone imported for their graves, which was extremely costly. In addition, they had grave carvers come from London and New England come down to South Carolina in order to work on beautiful graves.

What also interested me about Ruth Millers presentation was the effect race had in religious communities. She says, "“By 1710 we had more Africans than Europeans here”. However even in a holy place there was discrimination. In the United Methodist Church, known in those days as the Methodist Episcopal Church; they had both black and white members. Black members were not allowed to be buried on church property, had to sit up stairs where heat rises, go in through the back door. I think it is sad that although they were the majority they still were treated the worst.

My favorite point Ruth Miller made towards the end of her lesson was, "Churches dominate the skyline in Charleston. They don't in Boston on the freedom trail because they are surrounded by skyscrapers". I am from Boston so hearing that comment was amusing yet true. I had never thought about the height of the buildings here and back home in regards to a church steeple. After thinking about that it explained the architectural difference between the "Holy City" and Boston.

Me, Ruth Miller, and my friend Alex

Night Time In The Grave Yard: Cathedral of St. Luke and St, Paul and St. Patricks Church

In my most recent class we took a trip to The Cathedral of St. Lukes and St. Paul and St. Patricks Catholic Church to identify different types of graves.

This is a Head Stone from St. Lukes and St. Pauls cathedral.
It is to old to see the person and history behind it.

A unique mix of a ledger and head stone! Unclear who was buried here in The cathedral of St. Lukes and St. Paul grave.

This is a Ledger Grave from St. Lukes and St. Pauls Cathedral, belonging to Benjamin S Graham and his infant daughter

Box Tombs from The cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul

This is a column. The top is sliced off diagonally,
 it signifies some one who's life was cut short.
To old to see the person and history.

Die On Socket from St. Lukes and St. Pauls Cathedral.
To old to see the person and history.

Mausoleum at The Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul. No writing visible in the darkness

A Recent Grass Bevel belonging to Dr. Norman Howard Bell

An additional mausoleum! Sadly unable to read the history

This is an Obelisk from The Cathedral of  St. Lukes and St. Pauls

Box Tom from St. Lukes and St. Pauls Cathedral

Another Head Stone from St. Patricks Cathedral!