5 Fiery Facts About Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson. Portrait painted by D.M. Carter, engraved by A.H. Ritchie, circa 1860. Public domain.

When your history classes covered America's seventh president, you might have learned about his military history, the Trail of Tears, and his controversial legacy. But did you know about his questionable marriage? Or his foul-mouthed pet? Here are five facts you probably didn't know about Andrew Jackson.

#1 The Cursing Parrot

Jackson had a pet parrot named Poll — not Polly — with a really bad habit. Poll wasn't just a noisy bird — he had a potty mouth! In fact, he was so loud and rude he caused a profanity-laced commotion during Jackson's funeral. Rev. William Menefee Norment, who was leading the ceremony, said that before the service even started, Poll began squawking and swearing so much, the parrot had to be taken out of the house to restore order in what was supposed to have been a solemn occasion.

#2 The Controversial Marriage

During the 1928 presidential election, Jackson's rivals spread rumors that his wife had cheated on her first husband with Jackson. But was this true? Turns out in the 1780s, Jackson moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and fell in love with a woman named Rachel Donelson Robards. Rachel was unhappily married at the time, and after she separated from her husband, she married Jackson. One problem, though: Rachel's first marriage wasn't exactly over yet, and her ex-husband accused her of adultery. Jackson and Rachel had to get married again legally in 1794. Just a few weeks after Jackson won the 1828 election, Rachel passed away. Jackson was heartbroken and believed that the cruel rumors had worsened her illness and contributed to her death.

#3 Birthplace Confusion

We know Jackson was born on March 15, 1767, but exactly where he entered the world is another story. He was born in a wild area called the Waxhaws, which was so remote that no one had yet figured out whether it was in North or South Carolina. In a letter from 1824, Jackson mentioned he was born in his uncle's house in South Carolina. Even today, both North and South Carolina have historic signs claiming to be the real place where Jackson was born, and no one is entirely sure which one is correct.

#4 The $20 Bill Irony

Jackson was not a fan of paper money because he once took a big financial hit from devalued paper notes. He believed only gold and silver should be used for money. Because of this, he shut down the Second Bank of the United States, which he thought had too much control over paper money. Ironically, Jackson's face has appeared on the $5, $10, $50 bills, and even a $10,000 bill, as well as a Confederate $1,000 bill. He is currently pictured on the $20 bill.

#5 The Ill-Fated Duel

Jackson was well-versed in duels, and he had two bullets embedded in his body from duels he had survived. Historians believe Jackson, known for his fiery temper, might have been in anywhere from five to 100 duels. In 1806, a man named Charles Dickinson wrote some pretty nasty things about Jackson in a newspaper, calling him names like "worthless scoundrel" and "coward," according to History.com. As a result, Jackson challenged Dickinson to a duel. When they faced off, Dickinson shot first and hit Jackson in the chest, barely missing his heart. His injury notwithstanding, Jackson took aim and shot Dickinson, killing him.

Andrew Jackson's life was full of remarkable and sometimes surprising stories. His complex legacy shows a man of controversial actions and strong opinions, making him one of the most intriguing and memorable presidents in U.S. history.

References: Strange But True: Andrew Jackson and the Cursing Parrot | 10 Things You May Not Know About Andrew Jackson