Rachel Jackson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rachel Jackson
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Portrait by Ralph E. W. Earl, 1823
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Rachel Donelson
June 15, 1767 |
| Died | December 22, 1828 (aged 61) |
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| Parent(s) | John Donelson Rachel Stockley |
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Rachel Jackson (born Rachel Donelson) was the wife of Andrew Jackson, who became the seventh President of the United States. She was born on June 15, 1767, and passed away on December 22, 1828.
They lived at their home called The Hermitage. Rachel died just after Andrew Jackson was elected president in 1828, and before he officially started his term in 1829. Because of this, she never served as First Lady. Her niece, Emily Donelson, took on that role instead.
Rachel Jackson was first married to Lewis Robards. Around 1791, she married Andrew Jackson, thinking her first marriage was over. It turned out the divorce was not final yet, which caused problems later. They had to get married again in 1794 after the divorce was officially completed.
She and Andrew Jackson had a very close relationship. Rachel often worried when her husband was away for military or political duties. She was a deeply religious Presbyterian. During the 1828 election, she faced harsh criticism from supporters of Andrew Jackson's opponent, John Quincy Adams. Andrew Jackson believed these attacks made her health worse and led to her death.
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Rachel's Early Life
Rachel Donelson was born on June 15, 1767. Her birthplace was near the Banister River in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Her father was Colonel John Donelson, who helped found Nashville, Tennessee. Her mother was Rachel Stockley Donelson.
When Rachel was about 12 years old, her family moved to Tennessee. Her father led about 600 people down the Cumberland River to Fort Nashborough. The Donelson family was among the first European settlers in Tennessee.
Her Personality and Looks
When Rachel was young, she was considered very beautiful. People described her as having "lustrous black eyes, dark glossy hair, full red lips, [and] a sweet oval face."
Later in life, her country manners and fuller figure were different from Andrew Jackson's more formal style. However, her deep love for her husband was clear to everyone. She missed him greatly when he was away for politics or war.
Unlike Andrew, Rachel did not enjoy being in the public eye. She often told her husband not to let his political success change him. For example, after Jackson's big win at the Battle of New Orleans, she warned him not to value fame more than his family. Rachel was a Presbyterian and loved reading the Bible, religious books, and poetry.
Rachel's First Marriage
Rachel's first marriage was to Captain Lewis Robards. He was a landowner from Harrodsburg, Kentucky. This marriage was not a happy one. They separated in 1790.
There were rumors that Lewis Robards was unkind and jealous. Rachel believed her husband would get a divorce, so she went back to her family's home.
Rachel and Andrew Jackson's Relationship
When Andrew Jackson moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1788, he stayed with Rachel Stockley Donelson, Rachel's mother. Rachel and Andrew became very close. Soon after, they married in Natchez, Mississippi.
Rachel thought her first husband had completed their divorce. However, the divorce was not yet final. This meant her marriage to Andrew Jackson was not legally valid at first.
The situation was complicated because of the long distances and changing government rules. During Rachel and Robards's divorce process, Kentucky became a state, and North Carolina gave control of Tennessee to the federal government. People in Nashville understood these unusual circumstances.
In 1793, Andrew and Rachel learned that Lewis Robards had filed for divorce, but it was never granted. This made Rachel's marriage to Andrew legally complicated. Lewis Robards was finally granted a divorce in 1794.
Also, people questioned the Jackson marriage because they married in Natchez, which was controlled by Spain at the time. The Jacksons were Protestants, but only Catholic marriages were recognized there. After the divorce was officially legal in 1794, Andrew and Rachel married again in a quiet ceremony at the Donelson home.
Rachel and Andrew's Children
Rachel and Andrew Jackson never had their own biological children. However, they adopted Rachel's nephew in 1809. They named him Andrew Jackson Jr. When his father became President, Andrew Jr. took care of The Hermitage farm.
In 1813, the Jacksons adopted a Creek orphan boy. They found him on the battlefield of Battle of Tallushatchee next to his deceased mother. They named him Lyncoya. Lyncoya was educated alongside Andrew Jr. Andrew Jackson hoped to send Lyncoya to West Point, a military academy. However, political reasons made this impossible. Lyncoya instead trained to be a saddle maker in Nashville. He passed away from tuberculosis on June 1, 1828.
Around 1817, the Jacksons adopted Andrew Jackson Hutchings. He was the grandson of Rachel's sister. He went to school with Andrew Jr. and Lyncoya. He later attended colleges while Jackson was president.
Andrew Jackson also served as a guardian for other children. These children did not live with the Jacksons full-time. Andrew Jackson Donelson, Rachel's nephew, became Jackson's close helper. He served as Jackson's personal secretary during his presidency.
The 1828 Election and Rachel's Death
During the 1824 and 1828 presidential campaigns, John Quincy Adams's supporters criticized Andrew Jackson. They focused on his strong emotions and lack of self-control. They argued that he would harm the country.
This public criticism about her private life made Rachel very sad. She reportedly told a friend, "I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of God than live in that palace in Washington." Adding to her stress, Lyncoya Jackson died at The Hermitage in 1828. Between the public scandal, her son's death, and a heart condition, she was often depressed and crying during the campaign.
Rachel died suddenly on December 22, 1828. She had a heart attack. Andrew Jackson described her symptoms as "excruciating pain in the left shoulder, arm, and breast." Her death happened just before Jackson was supposed to leave for Washington. He held her body tightly and stayed at The Hermitage as long as possible.
Even though Rachel's health problems started earlier, Andrew Jackson always blamed his political enemies for her death. At her funeral, he swore, "May God Almighty forgive her murderers, I never can."
She was buried at The Hermitage. She wore the white dress and shoes she had bought for the inauguration ball. Her tombstone, written by John Eaton, says: "A being so gentle and so virtuous slander might wound, but could not dishonor."
Memorials to Rachel
The Rachel Jackson State Office Building in Nashville, Tennessee, was built in 1985 and named after her.
Rachel in Popular Culture
Rachel Jackson was the main character in a 1951 historical novel by Irving Stone, called The President's Lady. This book told the story of her life with Andrew Jackson. In 1953, the novel was made into a movie of the same name. Susan Hayward played Rachel, and Charlton Heston played Andrew Jackson.
See Also
In Spanish: Rachel Jackson para niños
- The Hermitage (Nashville, Tennessee)
- Andrew Jackson Donelson
- John Donelson
- Rachel Jackson Stakes
