Last words to her fourteen year old son - Andrew Jackson

This letter was written by Elizabeth Hutchinson Jackson - Mother of Andrew Jackson.

Andrew, if I should not see you again, I wish you to remember and treasure some things I have already said to you.

In this world you will have to make your own way.
To do that you must have friends.
You can make friends by being honest and you can keep them by being steadfast.
You must keep in mind that friends worth having will in the long run expect as much from you as they give to you.
To forget an obligation or be ungrateful for a kindness is a base crime, not merely a fault or a sin, but an actual crime. Men guilty of it sooner or later must suffer the penalty.
In personal conduct be always polite but never obsequious.
None will respect you more than you respect yourself.
Avoid quarrels as long as you can without yielding to imposition. But sustain your manhood always.
Never bring a suit of law for assault and battery or for defamation. The law affords no remedy for such outrages that can satisfy the feelings of a true man.
Never wound the feelings of others. Never brook wanton outrage upon your own feelings. If you ever have to vindicate your feelings or defend your honor, do it calmly. If angry at first, wait till your wraith cools before you proceed.



When I graduated from high school in 1971, my draft number was 38. Before leaving home after enlisting the Air Force, my dear mother told me, 'Son, you're about to enter into a world full of people the likes you have never been exposed to. Be careful. Always remember you're a poor boy and only have two things in this world, your name and your word. Make them both good.' In my beginning adulthood, I failed miserably on both accounts. But as I grew and had so many help me to become the man I am, those words came back to me. My friends are my greatest wealth. My family my greatest treasure.

Thank you Mom, I love you.