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...
Emily Donelson had three of her four children in the White House.
Emily Donelson was only 21 when she entered the White House.

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