Andrew Johnson (December 29, 1808 - July 31, 1875) was the 17th President of the United States, serving from 1865 to 1869. Johnson became President as Abraham Lincoln's Vice President at the time of Lincoln's assassination. On Friday, May 16 at 1:30 p.m., on the East Lawn of the Capitol Building, Johnson's maternal great, great, great granddaughter, Corrinne Null, of Bedford, N.H., and her daughter Emily, laid a wreath at the Presidents North Carolina Gave the Nation Statue.

This ceremony, a tribute to their North Carolina and national heritage, as well as a loving gesture to their own family, is taking place as part of their weekend visit to the state's capital. The Null's trip to Raleigh will mark the first time a member of the Johnson family has visited the state since the President, himself, visited his father's grave in 1867.  

 

The visit by President Johnson's relatives is made possible by Historic Oakwood Cemetery and the North Carolina Bankers Association.

Andrew Johnson was born in Raleigh, North Carolina on December 29, 1808, to Jacob Johnson (1778-1812) and Mary ("Polly") McDonough (1783-1856), a laundress. He had a brother, William, four years his elder, and an older sister Elizabeth, who died in childhood. Being born in a log cabin was a political asset in the 19th century.  

 

In the years to come, Johnson would not hesitate to remind voters of his humble birth in a kitchen located near the Capitol Building. That structure is preserved on the Mordecai Historic site. Jacob Johnson was a poor man, as was his father, William, but became town constable of Raleigh before marrying and starting a family. He died of an apparent heart attack while ringing the town bell, shortly after rescuing three drowning men when Andrew was three years of age.

 

We at Oakwood Cemetery are so grateful to have participated in this special day.   Ms. Null and her daughter Emily also enjoyed visiting Raleigh City Cemetery (and Jacob Johnson's grave there), the NC Governor's Mansion for a private tour, the Mordecai House to visit the birthplace of President Johnson and a tour of Oakwood Cemetery.  Special thank you to the N.C. Bankers Association allowing us to participate in this special historical event.

As a postscript, Oakwood Cemetery has recently discovered that we may have a direct descendent of President Andrew Johnson interred here.  Our historical records document that Anne Elizabeth Johnson Hunnicutt, interred in the Christ Church section of Oakwood may be a cousin of the President.   The research continues!