Rachel Jackson

Born in June 1767 on a Virginia plantation, Rachel grew up as the tenth of eleven children in a family deeply woven into the early fabric of the new nation. Her father, Col. John Donelson, was a surveyor, planter and public servant who negotiated treaties with the Cherokee and took part in the colonial resistance to British rule, while her maternal lineage traced back to the earliest settlers of the colony. Surrounded by education and the frontier spirit of her parents, Rachel developed a keen mind and strong sense of duty that set her apart from many young women of her time.

The biography, drawn from the author’s lifelong connection to the Hermitage and the Jackson family, follows Rachel’s courtship and marriage to Andrew Jackson, illuminating how her steady character and quiet strength helped shape the future president’s life. Listeners will discover a richly detailed portrait of a woman whose influence extended far beyond the private sphere, offering a fresh glimpse into the personal side of America’s early history.