Rachel Jackson

Rachel Jackson was the wife of Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, and served as the First Lady of the United States from 1829 until her death in 1828, just before her husband's inauguration. She was born in Halifax County, Virginia, to John Donelson and Rachel Stockley Donelson, and spent her early years in Tennessee. Rachel's life was marked by her strong Presbyterian Church faith and her marriage to Andrew Jackson, which was a long and enduring one, despite being marred by controversy and dueling. She was also known for her strong support of her husband's Tennessee militia career and his later United States Senate and House of Representatives terms.

Early Life

Rachel Jackson was born on June 15, 1767, in Halifax County, Virginia, to John Donelson and Rachel Stockley Donelson. Her family moved to Tennessee when she was a young girl, and she spent most of her childhood in the Cumberland River valley. She was educated at home and developed strong skills in housekeeping and management, which would serve her well in her later life as the mistress of The Hermitage. Rachel's family was friends with the Robert Carter family, and she often visited their Carter's Creek plantation. She also knew the James Robertson family, who were early settlers of Nashville, Tennessee.

Marriage and Family

In 1785, Rachel married Lewis Robards, but the marriage was unhappy and ended in divorce in 1797. She then met Andrew Jackson, a young lawyer and Tennessee militia officer, and the two were married in 1797. The marriage was a long and happy one, despite being marred by controversy over the circumstances of their marriage, which some claimed was bigamous. The couple had no children of their own, but they adopted Andrew Jackson Jr., a nephew of Andrew Jackson, and also raised Lyncoya Jackson, a Creek Indian boy who had been orphaned during the Creek War. Rachel was a strong supporter of her husband's career, including his service in the War of 1812 and his later terms in the United States Senate and House of Representatives.

Social and Political Life

As the wife of Andrew Jackson, Rachel was a prominent figure in Tennessee society and played an active role in supporting her husband's career. She was a strong hostess and managed the household at The Hermitage, which was a center of social and political activity in the region. Rachel was also a supporter of the Democratic-Republican Party and was known for her strong Democratic-Republican views. She was friends with other prominent women of the time, including Dolley Madison and Elizabeth Kortright Monroe. Rachel also knew many prominent men of the time, including Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe. She was a strong supporter of her husband's presidential campaign in 1828 and was devastated by the personal attacks that were made against her during the campaign, including accusations of bigamy and adultery.

Health Issues and Death

Rachel Jackson's health began to decline in the late 1820s, and she suffered from a variety of ailments, including heart disease and tuberculosis. She died on December 22, 1828, at The Hermitage, just a few weeks before her husband's inauguration as President of the United States. Her death was a devastating blow to Andrew Jackson, who was deeply in love with her and relied on her for support and guidance. Rachel's funeral was attended by many prominent figures, including John Overton, William Blount, and Hugh Lawson White. She was buried on the grounds of The Hermitage, where she remains to this day. Andrew Jackson was buried beside her after his death in 1845. The Hermitage is now a museum and is operated by the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center and the Tennessee Historical Society.