Description:Reprint of original work. Original work, from the 1880s, shows a waist length portrait of Selene (Harding) Jackson in right profile as a mature woman in a black dress
Notes:Selene Harding Jackson was born April 5th 1846 to William Giles Harding and Elizabeth Irwin (McGavock) Harding. On December 15th 1868 Selene Harding Jackson married General William Hicks Jackson. Together the Jacksons would have three children, Eunice (Jackson) Marks, William Harding Jackson, and Selene (Jackson) Elliston. Selene had many health problems in her adult life, and made several trips to climates other than Nashville’s, such as a trip to Colorado Springs, Colorado, to ease her asthma. In the 1880s, Selene would care for her dying father, William Giles Harding, which would further decline her own health as she neglected herself to help others. In 1886 upon the death of Selene’s father, Billy Selene received a portion of the properties at Belle Meade Plantation, along with her sister Mary and her husband Howell, and Selene and Mary’s half brother John Harding II. Billy and Selene were known for throwing lavish parties at the Belle Meade household, including President Grover Cleveland and Lady Cleveland. Unfortunately Selene’s health would get the best of her again. Selene’s health would rapidly decline this year, and by December 13th 1892, Selene had passed away from complications of asthma, Selene was 46 years old. Location: Dining Room
