Sample Old Hickory (Grades 6-8) Worksheet
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Old Hickory
By Tammy Scarbrough 		  
1     Andrew Jackson was born on March 15, 1767. His parents were Irish. His father died from a logging accident just a few weeks before he was born. Andrew's mother, Betty, had to raise three children on her own. She was a strong woman and did a fine job with her children. When Andrew was about nine years old, the Declaration of Independence was signed.
 
2     When he was thirteen, Andrew joined the Continental Army and delivered messages to officers and troops. In 1781, Andrew and his brother, Robert, were taken as prisoners of war by British soldiers. While he was in their care, one of the officers told him to clean his boots. Andrew did not want to, so the officer slashed at him with his sword. He cut Andrew's hand, leaving a scar for life. He and his brother also came down with smallpox during their imprisonment. Unfortunately, Robert died of the disease. Andrew's older brother, Hugh, was killed in battle. His mother died of cholera. At the age of fourteen, Andrew was all alone in the world.
 
3     Jackson became a teacher after the war, but had his sights set on becoming a lawyer. He studied law for many years, and in 1787, he officially became a lawyer in the state of North Carolina. During this time Tennessee was part of North Carolina. In 1796, the two states separated. Jackson was elected as Tennessee's first congressman. A year later, he became a United States Senator for the same state. He then served for six years as a judge on the Tennessee Supreme Court.

Paragraphs 4 to 6:
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