Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1874-01-23
Selected 9}istellaup.
MRS. EATON.
The Woman who Ruled at the White
House during General Jackson's Adj

Inc w oman who Ruled at the w h1te
House during General Jackson's Ad-
ministration.
Mr.. Westmorelnnds New York Letter to the
Atlanta Constitution.
Thro' DR.. Deems / learned that this
celebrated woman, who did the honors Of
the White House during Gen. Jackson's
administration, still lived-was in this
city, and was one Of his congregation
Naturally, | felt an interest in, and some
curiosity to see, person who had played
so conspicuous part in the affairs Of the
nation at one time. and learning that she
was fond Of company and would consider
it no intrusion, | called. In doing so, |
was more forcibly reminded than ever
before of what slaves we are of the ca
prices of fortune-wbat victims to the
vicissitudes of life, over which we have
no control. Here was young woman
who once held the destinies of nation
in her hand. To win her approval ar
gued successful arouse her anger meant
defeat. Health, luxury. hattcry, honors
everything this world could give us
were laid at her feet. Now, an old, fee
bic and jaded woman deserted by friends
and forgotten by the world--she ekes out
bare existence in retired boarding.
house, which overlooks Washington
square. Although in her scventy-fifth
year, she still bears traces of having
been a beautiful woman, and though mis-
erably dressed, she received us with the
grace and elegance of queen. We
found her very accessible the CONVERSE
ton naturally turned upon events of the
past, and we were surprised to find every
incident connected with her eventful life
as fresh in her memory as if they had only
just occurred. Her story varies some
what from the facts laid down in history,
and perhaps--who knows-they may be
right and historians wrong. Such things
have happened % for of all people who
profess to be entirely unprecedented, we
think the generality Of historians are
more prejudiced than any other class Of
writers. She spoke Of Mrs. Randolph
and the Duchess de FnesendocE as her
only children, and, in the midst Of many
changes and heavy losses, she said she
considered herself blessed in being sur
rounded by her grandchildren, who are
very devoted to her, and console and COM
fort her in her old age.
Mrs. Randolph has been dead many
years, and it is this family Of children
she has reared and who now care for her,
the youngest son making it bis duty and
pleasure to provide for his grandmother,
whom he seems to love with devotion
bordering on romance. She mentioned
in conversation that her son-in-law, the
Duke, had two titles, the other one being
the Duke de Sampayo, and that their
only child, daughter. was married to
one Of the Rotchschilds, the son of the
elder Croesus She said her daughter
had become thoroughly foreignized, and
hated America. so that she would not
allow her husband to accept position to
this country, which was offered him two
years ago. I asked her if she ever Wis
tied Washington now. She said /: "No
recollections Of Washington are so pain
full that do not like to 90 there any
more" then added. IL very foolishly
married a third time, although this mar
riage lost all Of my property, and il is
not pleasant to go back and see other