Rachel Jackson | legacy, Marriage, Death & Facts

Summary

Rachel Donelson Jackson was the wife of Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States, and one of the early First Ladies in American history. She appears to have been a spirited and devoted woman present throughout his entire political term of life. Despite personal misfortune and public sorrow, Rachel remained a beloved figure who influenced Jackson’s course personally and politically.

Facts about Rachel Jackson

Full name:	Rachel Donelson Robards Jackson
Born:	15 June 1767
Husband:	Andrew jackson (1794 – 1828) Lewis robards (1785 – 1793)
Grave:	Hermitage, her home near Nashville, Tennessee
Death of causes:	Heart attack
Died:	22 December 1828

Rachel Jackson’s Early Life

Rachel Donelson was born on June 15, 1767, in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, to Colonel John Donelson and Rachel Stockley Donelson. Rachel was one of eleven children. Rachel’s father was a surveyor and military leader who played a central role in developing settlements on the American frontier in what is now Tennessee. In 1779, at 12, she and her family travelled to Fort Nashborough, a settlement near modern-day Nashville, Tennessee. Life on the frontier was tough.

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Rachel would soon witness the hardships and dangers attached to the early settlements, including the Native American tribe attacks. Such difficulties made her develop into a stronger and stronger individual throughout life. Rachel could learn all that she needed to do for her family and the wilderness skills she needed to survive from this base where she grew up. Her upbringing at a frontier station made her independent, which was rare among the women of her time. 

Rachel Jackson’s First Husband

Rachel Jackson married Lewis Robards for the first time on March 1, 1785, when she was 18, in Lincoln County, Kentucky. Robards, a landowner and investor, had lived with Rachel in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, for over three years. Rachel’s marriage ended in turmoil and public scrutiny when she left Robards, who accused her of infidelity. Robards claimed she was involved with Andrew Jackson, a lawyer who lived with her family.

Rachel’s defence claimed she fled due to Robards’ abuse and threats. Robards requested and won a divorce, claiming Rachel abandoned him and committed adultery. This made her a bigamist when she married Jackson at Natchez, Mississippi, in an illegal ceremony because only Catholic weddings were permitted in the Spanish-ruled area.

Rachel Jackson 2^nd marriage 

Rachel Jackson married Andrew Jackson in Tennessee on January 7, 1794, after her divorce from Robards was completed. This episode, however, remained a significant subject of disagreement, with Rachel Jackson playing a key role in one of the first public debates about a First Lady’s personal life.

Following their second marriage, Andrew and Rachel Jackson moved to Nashville to live with her mother and family. They later began creating their famous Hermitage plantation, with Rachel choosing the plot of land where it would be built.

Rachel Jackson’s Cause of Death

By the time Andrew Jackson was contesting the presidency in 1828, Rachel’s health had deteriorated. She experienced chest pains, fatigue, and stress, and the campaign efforts made it even worse. The personal attacks on her character and her marriage during the election period placed too much pressure on her. Sadly, she did not live long enough to see her husband win the presidency.

Rachel Jackson died of a heart attack on December 22, 1828, just days after his electoral win and weeks before he took office. Her death was a sore to Andrew Jackson. He blamed her death on stress and the attacks she had faced. The inaugural ball was cancelled, and he spent the rest of his life in black mourning her.

Rachel Jackson legacy 

Though Rachel Jackson did not serve as First Lady, she exercised considerable influence over Andrew Jackson’s presidential term. During the entire time he served, he respected her memory. He carried a miniature portrait of Rachel and often commented about her benign nature, strength, and helpfulness. His suffering loss of losing her still did not lose much time in his life as the most significant loss of his life was without her. Rachel’s legacy continues at the Hermitage, the plantation home she shared with Andrew.

It is a historic landmark that houses her contributions and tells her life narrative. Her grace, loyalty, and passion helped one of America’s most consequential presidents.  Even after her death, it can hardly be missed how much Rachel Jackson’s life has impacted American history. Her love for Andrew battled through public and personal challenges, remains one of the most poignant in the history of presidential relationships.

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