A 2013 - 2014 original C-SPAN feature series telling the stories of America's First Ladies - from Martha Washington to Michelle Obama -
through conversations with top experts, video tours of historic sites, and questions from C-SPAN's audience.

America's First Ladies — from Martha Washington to Michelle Obama
Rachel Jackson
First Lady: 1829 - 1837
Click the list to watch videos
  • Rachel Jackson Program
  • Rachel Jackson Program: Opening clip
  • Andrew Jackson's reaction to Rachel Jackson's Death
  • Life at the Hermitage in Tennessee
  • Andrew and Rachel Jackson's relationship
  • Rachel Jackson's Death
  • Emily Donelson's Role in the White House
  • Emily Donelson's Role in the White House
  • Emily Donelson Image

Biography

Rachel Jackson

Emily Donelson

Andrew Jackson
Quote about Emily Donelson: “After dancing with a diplomat who told her, ‘Madam, you dance with the grace of a Parisian. I can hardly realize you were educated in Tennessee’: ‘Count, you forget, that grace is a cosmopolite, and like a wild flower, is much oftener found in the woods than in the streets of a city.’”

Born - June 15, 1767 in Halifax County, Virginia

Parents - Colonel John Donelson & Rachel Stockley Donelson

Married - 1791 to Andrew Jackson (first married to Lewis Robards in 1785, divorced 1793)

Children - none; adopted Andrew Jackson, Jr. (1809-1865) from Rachel’s brother

Died - December 22, 1828 in Nashville, Tennessee

Click here to see full bio of Rachel Jackson

Rachel Jackson died a few months before her husband took office. Their niece, Emily Donelson, and daughter-in-law, Sarah Yorke Jackson, served as hostesses during Jackson’s administration.

Emily Donelson (niece)

Born - June 1, 1807 in Donelson, Tennessee

Served as hostess from 1829 - 1836 Emily Donelson was only 21 when she entered the White House. Mrs. Donelson had three of her four children in the White House.

Died - December 19, 1836

Click here to see full bio of Emily Donelson

 
Did You Know Icon Did You Know...

First Ladies Book

Welcome to the White House