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Emily Tennessee Donelson (June 1, 1807 – December 19, 1836) was the acting first lady of the United States from 1829 to 1834 during the presidency of her uncle Andrew Jackson. She was the daughter of the brother of Jackson’s wife.
Emily Donelson. Widower Andrew Jackson asked his niece, Emily Donelson, to serve as White House hostess. Born in Tennessee on June 1, 1807, Emily Donelson was the daughter of John and Mary Donelson. 1 She married her cousin, Andrew J. Donelson, on September 16, 1824.
Emily Donelson. Pretty and petite but frequently ill, Emily Donelson was doted on by her family. She married her first cousin, Andrew Jackson Donelson, when she was seventeen. Emily served as White House Hostess in her deceased aunt Rachel Jackson’s place.
Emily Donelson, Sarah Jackson When Andrew Jackson entered the White House in 1829, he entered as a widower. His wife, Rachel Donelson Jackson, died shortly before he took office, and his niece, Emily Donelson, handled the hostessing duties during the first few years of his presidency.
Emily Tennessee Donelson Gravesite. Fascinating details. Emily took over the role of first lady from her aunt, Rachel Donelson Jackson, Andrew Jackson's first and only wife, who died before Andrew Jackson’s inauguration. She supported literacy and education, especially for girls.
The new President formally designated Emily Donelson as his White House hostess, something no previous chief executive had done. At only twenty-one years old, Emily Donelson was one of the youngest women to serve as First Lady.
Following the precedent set by the widowed President Jefferson, Jackson asked a relative to serve as hostess in the White House––his wife’s favorite niece, Emily Donelson. Emily was 21 years old when her uncle was inaugurated as president and she became White House hostess.
