Sarah Yorke Jackson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sarah Jackson
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Acting First Lady of the United States | |
| In role November 26, 1834 – March 4, 1837 |
|
| President | Andrew Jackson |
| Preceded by | Emily Donelson (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Angelica Van Buren (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Sarah Yorke
July 16, 1803 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | August 23, 1887 (aged 84) The Hermitage, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouses |
Andrew Jackson Jr.
(m. 1831; died 1865) |
| Children | 5 |
| Relatives | Andrew Jackson (father-in-law) |
Sarah Jackson (born Sarah Yorke, July 16, 1803 – August 23, 1887) was an important woman in American history. She was the daughter-in-law of Andrew Jackson, who was the President of the United States. Sarah helped manage the White House as a hostess and acted as the First Lady of the United States from late 1834 to early 1837.
Contents
Sarah Jackson's Life Story
Her Early Years
Sarah Yorke was born on July 16, 1803, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her family was quite wealthy. Sadly, her father, Peter Yorke, passed away in 1815. He was a sea captain and a successful merchant.
A few years later, in 1820, her mother, Mary Haines Yorke, also died. This left Sarah and her two sisters without parents. Her aunts, Mrs. George Farquhar and Mrs. Mordecai Wetherill, then raised the girls.
Life as an Adult
Sarah married Andrew Jackson, Jr., in Philadelphia on November 24, 1831. Andrew Jr. was the adopted son of President Andrew Jackson. After their wedding, the couple enjoyed a long honeymoon at the White House.
They then moved to The Hermitage in Tennessee. This was President Jackson's large farm. Sarah and Andrew Jr. lived there and helped manage the farm.
In 1834, a fire badly damaged the main house at The Hermitage. So, Sarah, Andrew Jr., and their two young children moved to Washington. They lived with President Jackson at the White House.
White House Hostess Role
Sarah arrived at the White House on November 26, 1834. She quickly began helping to host events. President Jackson's niece, Emily Donelson, had been the main hostess. Emily had served as the unofficial First Lady since Jackson became president.
Sarah and Emily shared the duties of White House hostess. This was the only time in history that two women acted as White House hostesses at the same time. President Jackson called Sarah the "mistress of the Hermitage." He did this to avoid any bad feelings between the two women. The arrangement worked well.
Sadly, Emily Donelson became very ill with tuberculosis. She passed away in 1836. After Emily's death, Sarah took over all the duties as the White House hostess.
After the White House
Sarah stayed at the White House until President Jackson's term ended in 1837. She did make some long trips, including one back to The Hermitage. She went to check on its rebuilding after the fire.
President Jackson passed away in 1845. After his death, Andrew Jackson Jr. struggled to manage The Hermitage. The family faced financial difficulties. In 1856, they had to sell The Hermitage to the state of Tennessee.
With money from the sale, Andrew Jr. bought land near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. The family moved there in 1859. However, this new venture did not last long. They faced bad luck and weather problems.
By 1860, they returned to The Hermitage. They lived there as tenants of the state. Life was very simple for the Jacksons for the next 30 years. Sarah's husband, Andrew Jr., died in a hunting accident in 1865. Her son Samuel died during the American Civil War at the Battle of Chickamauga.
Sarah Jackson passed away at The Hermitage on August 23, 1887. She was 84 years old. Two years later, the Ladies Hermitage Association bought The Hermitage back. They began working to restore it to its former glory.
