Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1845-09-03
GEN. JACKsoN's MARRIAGE.

This event in the history of General
Jackson has been often alluded 10. but
the circumstances attending it are very
little known-at least we have never met
with any account of them until now
| The subioined narrative is from eulogy
delivered at Natchez. Of course The best
side of the story is presented; whether
there is worse side or not, we are unable
10 say.
"Miss Rachel Donelson, the daughter
Of Col. Donelson, Of Virginia, had been
celebrated for gaiety, affability and sweet.
ness of disposition. Her father emigrated
10 Tennessee, aud, dying, left her an or
phan. She formed an unhappy connex-
ion with a morose. jealous aud dissipaled
character by the name Of Roberts, who
soon abandoned her.
1.-THE difficulty was made up and the
welded pair came together again; soon
after which Andrew Jackson became a
transient boarder in the same house where
Roberts and his wife were residing. A
second rupture soon occurredsand Roberts
left his wife and went to Kentucky
Learning that be intended returning and
taking her there, and dreading his inhu.
manly and bad treatment, she determined
to seek an asylum in Natchez, beyond
his reach. Natchez was then the Oregon
of America. In the spring Of 1871 she
came here with Col. Starke and bis fami.
ly. At the earnest request of Col. Starke,
Gen. Jackson piloled his family through
the Indian country. After his return,
Judge Overton communicated to him the
astounding intelligence that he was the
unconscious cause Of the last separation;
thar it arose from Roberts Jealousy Of
Kim, and the circumstance Of his accom-
panying Col. Starke, to protect his family
from The Indians, had been seized upon by
Roberts as ground Of divorce, in pc.
tition to the Virginia Legislature.
1.-THE thought that an innocent woman
was suffering so unjustly on his account.
made Gen. Jackson's mind most uneasy
and unhappy. He Immediately sought
ou, Roberts. and expos,ulated with him
on the injustice and cruelty Of his care
less suspicion; but The interview ended
in mutual deiances. At length the news
came that the Virginia Legislature had
actually granted the divorce in accornance
with Roberts petition. Forthwith An
drew Jackson fastened to Natchez, and
offered his hand and his heart to the limo
cent and amiable woman, 6ho had been
made so unhappy by false and unfounded
accusations. He came to Natchez, 10
give the world the highest evidence he
could give of her innocence.
Although free 10 form new connex-
ion, Mrs. Roberts declined the proffered
offer. But Andrew Jackson was not 10
be oudone. He addressed her is the Ian
guage of Ruth to Naomi: "Eutreat me
not 10 leave thee or return from following
after thee, for where thou goest will 60,
IRE thou lodgest will lodge. thy peo-
pie shall be my people, and thy God my
Co. where thou diest will die, aud
there will / be buried" A promise which
literally fulfilled in refusing the sarcopha'
gus Of the Emperor Alexander Severns.
that he might be hurled by her. AT
length, after some three months, Mrs,
Roberts being convinced that the chivalry
which prompted the proposal bad become
associated with genuine love, accepted
the offer, and they wore married in this
city or its vicinity, and returned 10 Ten
nessee. On arriving there, finding that
the divorce bad no, gone through all the
forms required by the laws of Virginia. at
the time Of their marriage here, the GER
emony was again performed there"