Rachael Donelson Robards Jackson

Timeline

Andrew Jackson Jr. December 04, 1808 – April 17, 1865, a nephew of Rachel Jackson

Lyncoya Jackson, about 1811 – July 1828, an American Indian child that Andrew Jackson found on a battlefield and raised by the Jacksons from age two

Legal guardians for six boys and two girls, who were nieces and nephews of Rachel Jackson

Interesting facts
The charge of adultery was used against Andrew Jackson during the campaign for President. It was said she was an adulteress, a bigamist and a divorcee by the factor supporting John Quincy Adams. The shame of this led to a stress on a bad heart. In addition, the death of her son, Lyncoya, in July 1828 added to her stress. She had a heart attack in the fall of 1828, from which she seemed to recover, however she died in December 1828.

Focus while in the White House
Andrew Jackson designated Emily Donelson, Rachel Jackson’s niece, to be the official hostess in the White House. The first time a relative of the president was given a formal status in the White House.

Louisa Johnson Adams

Timeline

George Washington Adams (1801-1829), John Adams, II (1803-1834), Charles Francis Adams (1807-1886), Louisa Catherine Adams (1811-1812)

Interesting facts
From the National First Ladies Library

She and Adams bought the former home of James and Dolley Madison on the city’s then-fashionable F Street of rowhouses and she had it enlarged with the specific purpose of constant and large entertainments, again to give a sense of national prominence to her husband. Her most famous effort was a January 8, 1824 ball honoring General Andrew Jackson on the 10th anniversary of his successful defeat of the British at the Battle of New Orleans. It was the Adams’ camp’s recognition that he and Jackson were the leading contenders in the presidential election ten months later. Jackson and Louisa Adams spent most of the party on each other’s arms as hostess and her guest, and the general was as solicitous of her as she was of him. It was also an unsubtle (and unsuccessful) attempt by John Quincy and Louisa Adams to manipulate Jackson into either throwing his support to Adams or considering running as his vice presidential candidate. About one thousand guests attended and the Washington Republican newspaper even memorialized the event in seven stanzas the morning before the ball actually took place. Louisa Adams continued to canvas for her husband using the social parlor as Dolley Madison had done.

Focus while in the White House
The politics of the campaign for his election to the White House left her in a deep depression. In addition, she was not in good health. She continued to her weekly drawing room entertainment, but preferred quiet evenings. Their relationship suffered while they were in the White House. John Quincy Adams is said to have made a back room deal to be named President. She was quite disappointed in his decision to make this deal. During this time she became interested in women’s rights and equality. She was not treated well by the press, and was the first First Lady to be attacked by the press. She is also the first First Lady who responded by writing articles to defend herself.

Elizabeth Kortright Monroe

Timeline

Eliza Kortright Monroe-Hay (1787 – ?), James Spence Monroe, died at age 2, Maria Hester Monroe-Gouverneur (1803 – 1850)

Interesting facts
While her husband was a patriot veteran, her father had been a loyalist during the Revolutionary War.

They were posted in Paris during the French Revolutionary War. During that time she is credited with the release of Adrienne de Noiolles de Lafayette from jail. Per the biography at National First Ladies Library

During the last days of the French Revolution, Elizabeth Monroe made a name for herself by her courageous visit to Adrienne de Noiolles de Lafayette, the imprisoned wife of the Marquis de Lafayette – the great personal friend of George Washington and many other revolutionary era patriots and France’s most prominent supporter of American independence. Elizabeth Monroe, in the American Embassy’s carriage, made it a point to visit the woman in prison; it was as clear a message as could be made unofficially by the U.S. government. Not wishing to offend their ally, the French government used Elizabeth Monroe’s “unofficial” interest in Adrienne de Lafayette to release her on January 22, 1795 without any official provocation and thus maintain their alliance with the U.S. yet save face for the imprisonment.

Focus while in the White House
She was in ill health for many years. Thus, she paid no social calls. Also, she changed the white house customs to be like the formal atmosphere of the European courts. It has been reported that she was snubbed because of this and the comparisons made to Dolley Madison, who set the standard for future First Ladies.

Dolley Payne Todd Madison

Timeline

Interesting facts
She took a public role in fundraising for the exploration of the Louisiana Purchase by Lewis and Clark.
Her popularity from being hostess during Jefferson’s presidency added to the recognition of her husband by members of Congress whose elector votes selected the president.

Focus while in the White House
She saw that the public was her constituency as much as they were to her husband. She is the first First Lady to take a role in public projects. She was a supporter and helped to found a home for orphaned girls.

Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson

Timeline
Born at Charles City County, Virginia, October 18, 1748
Married Bathurst Skelton
Had one child, John Wayles Skelton (1767-1771)
Married Thomas Jefferson, January 1, 1772
Had six children with Thomas Jefferson

Martha Jefferson Randolph (1772-1836)

Jane Randolph (1774-1775)

unnamed son (b./d. 1777)

Mary “Polly” Jefferson Eppes (1778-1804)

Lucy Elizabeth (1780-1781)

Lucy Elizabeth (1782-1785)

She died on September 6, 1782.

Interesting fact
She was in frail health during her marriage to Thomas Jefferson. It is reported that he was grief-stricken when she died. She is the first of five wives who died prior to their husbands becoming president.

Focus while in the White House
Her daughters Polly Jefferson Eppes and Martha Jefferson Randolph were hostesses for Thomas Jefferson during his presidency.