Rachel , born Rachel Donelson, was the wife of Andrew Jackson, the 7th President of the United States. She lived with him at their home at The Hermitage, but died before his inauguration in 1828, and therefore was never First Lady.
Background
She was the daughter of pioneers who settled in Tennessee country when she was about 12. She married Lewis Robards of Kentucky in 1785, but after three years of a rollercoaster marriage -- he has gone down in history as a jealous abuser -- Robards left her in Nashville on her own. Andrew Jackson escorted her to Mississippi and they were married in 1791, having heard that Robards had secured a divorce. It turns out he had only secured permission to file for divorce. Robards sued, citing adultery, and his divorce from Rachel was final in 1793. A few months later Andrew and Rachel married again, in January of 1794. Though they never had children of their own, the Jacksons helped rear several children; they adopted her nephew, Andrew Jackson Donelson, in 1808, and a Creek Indian boy, Lyncoya, came to live at The Hermitage in 1813.
Education
Her early life took place in a blackwoods environment, where there were few comforts or opportunities to be educated. She had little schooling, but she learned to read and write and played the harpsichord.
Religion
She was Presbyterian. She was an avid reader of the Bible and religious works as well as poetry.
Views
Her life, in direct relation to the scandal of her bigamy, caused Rachel Jackson to withdraw from society’s glare. Although she confessed that she preferred to confine her public appearances to religious services, she joined her husband during his most important political endeavors to Pensacola Florida, New Orleans, Louisiana and Washington, D.C.
According to family tradition, as a child, Rachel Jackson had been brought to the homes of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry and Richard Henry Lee, all of whom were colleagues in Virginia politics with her father, a member of the House of Burgesses. She had grown up in a world of politics and was thus comfortable engaging in conversation with and welcoming as her lengthy houseguests the national political figures associated with Jackson. She also hosted regular gatherings forJackson's political supporters.
Personality
Rachel and Andrew Jackson remained a devoted couple. She maintained The Hermitage during his frequent absences. Rachel Jackson preferred a quiet, domestic life, and help raise thirteen children - nieces, nephews, the couple's own adopted child, and other children who needed their love. She provided guidance and tools for new settles in the region, and she often put in a full day of dometic and farm work before resting in the evening, when she could smoke her pipe.
Quotes from others about the person
Andrew Jackson: "In the presence of this dear saint I can and do forgive all my enemies. But those vile wretches who have slandered her must look to God for mercy."