By the time Jackson became President of the United States there were 95 slaves at the Hermitage. A few years later that number totaled 150.28 For the most part Jackson treated his slaves decently and tried to make certain they were not abused by overseers.29 But he could also be very severe. If he felt punishment merited he had his slaves whipped and on occasion chained. With runaway slaves he had little mercy. His behavior on occasion can only be described as barbaric.
