Emily Donelson

Emily Tennessee Donelson (June 1, 1807 – December 19, 1836) was the acting first lady of the United States from 1829 to 1834 during the presidency of her uncle Andrew Jackson. She was the daughter of the brother of Jackson's wife, Rachel Donelson Jackson, who died weeks before her husband's presidential inauguration.

Donelson grew up among the Donelson and Jackson families in Tennessee, marrying her first cousin Andrew Jackson Donelson. The Donelsons worked for their uncle as his career in politics progressed and he attained the presidency. They moved into the White House with President Jackson, where Donelson served as the White House hostess. She was successful in the role despite her lack of formal training in etiquette, and she was well received by Washington society. The Petticoat affair caused a split between the Donelsons and the president, and Donelson returned home for much of 1830 and 1831. She eventually returned to the White House, but she grew sick, returning home and dying of tuberculosis at the age of 29. Donelson was the first First Lady born after the Declaration of Independence and the first born in the 19th century.

Early life (1807–1828)

Childhood Emily Tennessee Donelson was born on June 1, 1807, in Donelson, Tennessee, of Mary Purnell (1763–1848) and John Donelson (1755–1830), the brother of Rachel Donelson Jackson, the wife of future President Andrew Jackson. As a child, she attended a log house school in Nashville.

Donelson's early life was spent in rural Tennessee, and she had little exposure to politics or urban social life. Her childhood was instead defined by the military events of the 1810s. The men in her family fought in the War of 1812, and her uncle Andrew Jackson became a prominent general. Three of their children were born while the Donelsons lived at the White House, and all four had present or future presidents as godfathers; President Jackson was the godfather of their sons, while Martin Van Buren and James K. Polk were the respective godfathers of their two daughters. and Donelson was made responsible for hosting social events after Jackson became president. Her inexperience in social custom was sometimes noted, but she was celebrated for her kindness as a hostess and her proficiency in dance. It is unknown whether Donelson was asked to leave by the president or if she left of her own accord.

Illness and death (1834–1836) Donelson's health declined further in spring of 1836, and it was decided that she would leave Washington and return to Tennessee. The plantation had recently been renovated, and after arriving she oversaw the placement of furniture.