Party strife and bitterness of Jackson’s day—Mrs. Jackson a victim
of cruel misrepresentation—Her early life—Daughter of Colonel
John Donelson—Emigrants from Virginia—Travelling in the
wilderness—A two thousand mile journey—Thrilling incidents and
dangerous accidents—Indians dogged their footsteps—Rachel
Donelson at the age of twelve—Colonel Donelson a wealthy
settler—A person of consequence—Removal to Kentucky—Marriage of
his daughter—Home in Kentucky—Mr. and Mrs. Robards very
unhappy—His disposition extremely unfortunate—Requests Mrs.
Donelson to send for her daughter—Her brother takes her to
Tennessee—A good daughter-in-law—Mrs. Robards not censured—Her
husband solely to blame—A reconciliation effected—Andrew Jackson
a boarder at Mrs. Donelson’s—Mrs. Robards returns to her
husband—Unmanly conduct—Second separation—Jackson and his friend
seek another home—Mrs. Robards seeks an asylum in Mississippi—Her
husband’s threats—Jackson’s sympathy for her—Jackson accompanies
the party to Natchez—Dangers from the Indians—Jackson returns to
Nashville—Judge Overton’s letters—Robards divorced from his
wife—Decree supposed to be final—Marriage of Jackson and Mrs.
Robards two years later—Return to Nashville—A second
divorce—Jackson’s surprise and sorrow—Marriage ceremony twice
performed—Information slow in travelling—No mails in those days—A
perfect union—Jackson’s love for his wife—Mrs. Jackson a noble
woman—Hospitable home—Jackson buys the Hermitage—His small
log-house—Lafayette his guest—A ball given in his honor—Mrs.
Jackson adopts a child—Jackson’s love for the baby—A lamb and a
child—Andrew Jackson, Jr.—After the battle of New Orleans—Mrs.
Jackson in that city—The recipient of marked attentions—A
valuable present—Her dress of white satin—Portrait at the
Hermitage—General Jackson builds a church—A new house erected—A
present to his wife—The stately Hermitage—Description of the
house—Spacious and handsome—An extensive garden—General Jackson
appointed Governor of Florida—Mrs. Jackson and the “two Andrews”
accompany him—Homesick—Mrs. Jackson’s dislike of the State—No
minister there—Does not like the theatre—Her health not
good—Pensacola not a pleasant place—Mrs. Jackson’s request
regarding the Sabbath—Her wishes obeyed—Horses
neglected—Inhabitants Spanish and French—Governor Jackson
resigns—Return to the Hermitage—A journey of twenty-eight
days—Mrs. Jackson receives much attention—Fifty callers a day—Her
health feeble—Four years of home-life—With her husband in New
Orleans—His splendid reception—Four days of festivity—Jackson a
Presidential candidate—Mrs. Jackson’s disease asserts
itself—Undue excitement its cause—Painful publications regarding
her—The facts of her marriage misunderstood—Jackson’s political
enemies—Cruel falsehoods circulated—Her heart broken by
slander—“He to whom she had devoted her affections”—General
Jackson elected President—His wife’s gratitude—Glad for his
sake—Regretted the necessity of leaving home—“That palace in
Washington”—Frequent visits to Nashville—Preparing for the
winter—A fatal shopping occasion—Overhears a conversation—The
calumnies her husband has kept from her—His effort to prevent her
suffering—On her death-bed she tells him the cause of her
illness—A noble life crucified by scandal—A ball that did not
occur—A grand dinner that was not eaten—Proposed anniversary
festivities—Mrs. Jackson very ill—Dies of spasms of the
heart—Grief of Jackson—Nashville in mourning—Action of the city
authorities—Forty years of married life—“Never an unkind word
between them”—The loss of such a wife—Jackson’s convulsive
grief—The parting scene—His farewell to the beloved remains—A sad
scene at the funeral—A great throng of mourners—Dust to
dust—Jackson’s intense feelings—The grave cannot conquer it—The
unpardonable crime—A bruised and lonely heart—Great sympathy for
the old hero—The grief of the servants and neighbors—Testimonials
of sympathy from many sources—General Jackson a changed man—The
pleasant home-life gone—Her picture worn about his neck—By his
bedside at night—His eyes fixed on it in death—Bequeaths it to
his granddaughter—The monument over the grave of husband and
wife—The inscription on the tablets—Jackson’s tribute to his
dead—They sleep side by side 272