First Ladies of the United States: 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. Rachel Donelson Jackson was no stranger to the barbs of a hostile press. She had endured attacks upon her character during husband Andrew's presidential campaigns of 1824 and 1828—and anticipated even greater tortures upon his inauguration as President in 1829.

This portrait of Sarah Yorke Jackson was completed by Mayna Treanor Avent circa 1921, after a Ralph Eleaser Whiteside Earl portrait from circa 1833. Sarah Yorke Jackson was the wife of Andrew Jackson Jr., who was the adopted son of President Andrew Jackson. Sarah filled the role of White House hostess during the last months of the Jackson administration after the death of Emily Tennessee Donelson, wife of President Jackson's orphaned nephew Andrew Jackson Donelson. President Jackson and his wife, the late Rachel Jackson, served as guardians for Andrew Jackson Donelson and his siblings. Rachel never fulfilled the duties of first lady as she passed away just three months before President Jackson took office. Emily Tennessee Donelson and Sarah Yorke Jackson stepped in to fill that role and serve as White House hostess during his eight year administration.

Information on the life of Sarah Yorke Jackson from the American Presidency Project.