History is full of strange stories, but few are as memorable as the tale of President Andrew Jackson’s foul-mouthed pet parrot. According to historical accounts, Jackson’s beloved bird became so excited during the former president’s funeral that it began loudly swearing in front of mourners and had to be removed from the service.
While the story may sound like an urban legend, it is rooted in a documented eyewitness recollection and has been referenced by respected historical institutions and scholars.
A Presidential Pet Unlike Any Other
Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, was known for his strong personality, military leadership, and often controversial political career. Less well known is his affection for a pet parrot named Poll, which reportedly learned much of its vocabulary from its outspoken owner.
When Jackson died on June 8, 1845, at his home, The Hermitage, near Nashville, Tennessee, thousands gathered to pay their respects. What happened during the funeral service two days later would become one of the most unusual stories in presidential history.
The Parrot That Disrupted a Funeral
The primary source for the story comes from Reverend William Menefee Norment, who attended Jackson’s funeral. Years later, Norment recalled the incident in an account that was subsequently published in the Mecklenburg Times in 1906.
According to Norment:
“Before the sermon and while the crowd was gathering, a wicked parrot that was a household pet got excited and commenced swearing and cussing so loud and long as to disturb the people, and had to be carried from the house.”
The parrot’s outburst reportedly shocked mourners and interrupted the solemn atmosphere of the service. As a result, attendants removed the bird from the funeral proceedings so the service could continue.
Fact or Fiction?
Although the story is widely accepted as part of presidential folklore, historians note that the account relies primarily on Norment’s recollection, which was published more than sixty years after Jackson’s death. No known contemporary newspaper reports from 1845 have been found that independently verify the event.
However, the story has been examined and discussed by reputable historical organizations, including the Library of Congress. In its article, “Andrew Jackson’s Cursing Parrot,” the Library of Congress explores the origins of the story and the evidence supporting it:
https://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2021/01/andrew-jacksons-cursing-parrot/
The National Constitution Center has also referenced the incident while discussing the colorful history of presidential pets:
https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/andrew-jacksons-profane-parrot-and-other-presidential-pets
Why the Story Endures
Whether every detail happened exactly as described or not, the image of a swearing parrot disrupting a presidential funeral has captured the imagination of historians and the public alike. The story offers a rare glimpse into the personal side of one of America’s most influential presidents and serves as a reminder that history is often stranger than fiction.
It also highlights the importance of evaluating historical sources. While eyewitness accounts can provide valuable insight, historians must carefully weigh the reliability, timing, and corroboration of such evidence before accepting a story as established fact.
Final Thoughts
Andrew Jackson’s profane parrot remains one of the most entertaining stories in American presidential history. While historians cannot conclusively prove every aspect of the tale, the surviving eyewitness account and subsequent research suggest that there is at least some historical basis for the legend.
More than 180 years later, Poll the Parrot continues to be remembered as perhaps the only presidential pet ever removed from a funeral for inappropriate language.
References
- Library of Congress. “Andrew Jackson’s Cursing Parrot.” https://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2021/01/andrew-jacksons-cursing-parrot/
- National Constitution Center. “Andrew Jackson’s Profane Parrot and Other Presidential Pets.” https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/andrew-jacksons-profane-parrot-and-other-presidential-pets
- Mecklenburg Times (1906), as cited by the Library of Congress and historical researchers.
- The Hermitage – Andrew Jackson’s Home. https://thehermitage.com/