Discover the Only President Born in South Carolina (and Where He Was Raised)

The 45 men who have become President of the United States have all been unique in their own way. They were born in different states across the nation and come from different backgrounds. Bill Clinton was the only one born in Arkansas, but John F. Kennedy was one of four born in Massachusetts. When it comes to South Carolina, Andrew Jackson is the one president born in the Palmetto State. Let’s explore the only president born in South Carolina and where he was raised. We’ll also include some facts about President Jackson and the places where he lived.

The Only President Ever Born in South Carolina

There are a whopping eight presidents born in Virginia, but only two were born in North Carolina. And when it comes to South Carolina, just one president was born in the Palmetto State. Andrew Jackson was born in the Waxhaws region between South and North Carolina on March 15, 1767. Jackson served as President from 1829 to 1837. He lived in the Waxhaws region until he was 17 years old and he left for North Carolina.

About the Waxhaws Region

The fascinating part about Andrew Jackson’s birth is that no one knows for sure where he was born. Jackson himself claimed he was born at the Crawford plantation in Lancaster, South Carolina. But accounts stated he was actually born at an uncle’s home in North Carolina. The reality is we will never know.

The Waxhaws region consisted of a forested region that was located on both sides of the border between North and South Carolina. At the time of Jackson’s birth, there was no border. Today, the area encompasses Lancaster County in South Carolina, as well as Union and Mecklenburg counties in North Carolina.

Other Places Where Jackson Lived

Besides the Waxhaws region on the border between North and South Carolina, Andrew Jackson lived in several places around the country. Let’s take a look at each of those places.

• Salisbury, NC: He studied law here and was admitted to the North Carolina bar. He was then appointed to a new position in the Western District of North Carolina (which would later become Tennessee).
• Nashville, TN: He lived here for several years, climbing up the social order until he was one of the most elite people in the state.
• The Hermitage, TN: He bought an estate, which would become his lifelong home until his death.
• Washington DC: He lived here when he was in Congress, as well as when he was President of the United States.

About Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson lived in the Waxhaws region between North and South Carolina for the first 17 years of his life. From there he moved to Salisbury, NC, and later to Tennessee. It was there that he established a career for himself as a lawyer, then a judge, and finally a powerful politician in the state. He was also a military man who fought in the War of 1812 and was the Federal Military Commissioner of Florida in 1821.

As a US Senator in 1824, he ran for President and won the popular vote against John Quincy Adams. He lost the electoral vote, though, and thus the presidency. He vowed to run again and in 1828, he defeated Adams soundly.

Jackson Presidency’s Major Events

Throughout his presidency, Andrew Jackson enacted legislation that impacted many people throughout the country. Let’s take a look at President Jackson’s highlighting legislation during his presidency.

• Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act. This is perhaps one of the most consequential acts in his presidency that has solidified his legacy as a racist and even, as some historians have put it, a supporter of ethnic cleansing. From 1835 to 1838, several Native American tribes were forcibly relocated to places west of the Mississippi River (mainly what is now Oklahoma). This forced relocation is now known as “The Trail of Tears.”
• Jackson vetoed a bill that would have established the Second Bank of the United States.
• Jackson issued a statement called the Nullification Proclamation, which stated that states cannot nullify or cancel federal laws.
• Texas became independent in 1836 and Jackson supported its independence and later lobbied to annex Texas during subsequent presidencies.
• Jackson terminated all national debt owed to both foreign and domestic entities in 1834.

Andrew Jackson After His Presidency

Jackson’s retirement didn’t last long. Upon retiring, he went back to The Hermitage in Tennessee. He remained an influential figure in national politics, interjecting himself and his opinions constantly during the presidencies of Martin Van Buren and John Tyler. He advocated for the annexation of Texas, which happened in March 1945. Jackson also supported James K. Polk’s presidency in 1844 over his former vice president, Martin Van Buren. The reason was that Van Burren opposed the annexation of Texas.

Andrew Jackson died of several ailments including tuberculosis, dropsy, and heart failure on June 8, 1845, at his home at The Hermitage in Tennessee. He was buried with his wife Rachel, who had died almost two decades before him.

Conclusion

And there you have it, the only president ever born in South Carolina was Andrew Jackson. Of course, we will truly never know where he was born, so the truth about his birth will remain a mystery forever. Nevertheless, Jackson will go down in history as an impactful president who did some good things but also enacted cruel decisions, especially for Native Americans. His legacy, although high, is dropping due to the decisions and views he held as president.