The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1849-09-21
Gen. JnckSons Marriage.


Jackson has been often alluded to,
but the circumstances attending it
arc very little known: at least we
have never met with any account of
them until now. The subjoined
narrative is from eulogy delivered
at Natchcz:
"Miss Rachel Donelson, the
daughter of Colonel Donelson, of
Virginia, had been celebrated for
her gayety, afability, and sweetness
of disposition. Her father emigrat-
ed to Tennessee, and, dying, left her
an orphan. She formed an unhappy
matrimonial connection with a mo-
rose, jealous, and dissipated charac-
ter by the name of Roberts, who
soon abandoned her. =.
"The difficulty was made up and
the welded pair came together
again soon Andrew Jackson be-
came trancient boarder in the same
house where Roberts and his wife
were residing. a second rupture
soon occurred, and Roberts left his
wife and went to Kentucky. Learn
ing that he intended returning and
taking her there, and dreading his
mhumanity and bad treatment, she
determined to seek an asylum in
Natchez, beyond his reach. Nat
chez was then HE Oregon of Amer
ca. In the spring Of 1871 she came
here with Col. Starke and his fami-
ly. At the earnest request Of Col,
Starke, Gen. Jackson pilotcd his IA
mily through the indian country.
After his return, Judge oyerton
communicated to him the astonish-
ing intelligence that he was the UNI
conciouS cause Of the last separation
that it arose from Roberts JEALOUSY
Of him; and the circumstance Of his
accompanying Col. Starl;e, to pro-
tect his family from the Indians, lad
been seized upon by Roberts as a
ground Of divorce, IN a petition to
the Virginia Legislature.
"The thought that an innocent
woman was suffering SO unjustly or
his account made Gen. Jacl;son's
sensitive mind most uneasy and un
happy. lie Immediately sought out
Roberts ana cXpostulated with hin
on the injustice and cruelty Of Iii,
causeless suspicion, but the inter
view ended in mutual defiance. A
|, length news came that the Nirgini;
: legislature had actually granted TIT
divorce in accordance with Roberts
petition. Forthwith Andrew Jack
son hastoned to Natchez, and Offered
/, lis hand and his heart to the limo
cent and amiablc woman, who ha,
been made so unhappy by false an,
unfounded accusations. He cam
to Natchcz, to give the world tn
highest evidence lie could giys Q
, her innocence.
: "Although free to form anew con
nexion, Mrs. Roberts declined tn
! proifered offer. But Andrew Jack
= son was not to be outdone. He ad
dressed her in the language Of Rut
to Naomi 'Entreat me not to leav
thee or TO return from following al
ter thee for where thou gocst wi
60; where thou loGgest | will lodge
: thy people shall be my people, All
:, thy God my God; where thou dies
| will die, and there will | be buried
A promise which he literally fulfill
ed in refusing the sarchOphagus {
, the Emperor Alexander Severn,
that he might be buried by her. A
!, length after some three months, Mr.!
i Roberts, being convinced that III
chivalry which prompted the pre-
> poSal had become associated wit
genuine love, accepted the offer, an
they were married in this city or i
II vicinity, and returned to Tennessee
it On arriving there, finding that q
:. divorce had not gone through a
d the forms required by the laws
D.. Virginia, at the time of their ma
a riage here, the ceremony was aga
c performed there"
! III possessed the most valuab
: things in the world, and was abo
!, to will them away, the followiI
>, would be my plan of distribution:
>, would will to the world truth al
;, friendship which are very scarce.
', (And the world would laugh
", your gift.)
y Iwould give an additional port
81 Of truth to lawyers, traders, a
l., merchants.
=. (Which would be throwing pei
-, among swine.)
would give to physicians 81
and learning.
~ (Bravo, the Lord knows tn
=; need it.)
w w would give TO printers their pi
y" (Delirh,lul)