President Andrew Jackson was the seventh president of the United States and served from 1829 to 1837. He was a controversial figure in American history, known for his strong-willed personality and his policies that favored the common man.
Jackson’s presidency was marked by several significant events, including the Indian Removal Act, the nullification crisis, and the Bank War.
Born in 1767 in the Carolinas, Jackson grew up in poverty and had little formal education. He rose to prominence as a military leader during the War of 1812 and became a national hero after his victory at the Battle of New Orleans.
Jackson’s popularity and reputation as a war hero helped him win the presidency in 1828, defeating incumbent John Quincy Adams.
Despite his popularity, Jackson was a divisive figure, and his policies were often criticized by his opponents. His support for the Indian Removal Act, which forced Native American tribes to leave their ancestral lands and move west of the Mississippi River, was particularly controversial.
Jackson’s presidency also saw the rise of the Democratic Party and the decline of the Democratic-Republicans, which had dominated American politics for much of the country’s early history.
Family Overview
If anyone managed to overcome tragedy to become infamous it was Andrew Jackson.
His family migrated from Ireland and acquired 200 acres in the Waxhaw region. The acres were not known as good land but it was still more than they had in Ireland. Unfortunately, the fate of the family took a turn for the worse when his father passed away in a logging accident. This left Andrew, who was not born yet, and his two other brothers alone with their mother.
She found work and managed to provide for the children but fate would take another turn for the worse when the American Revolution began to move south. His two older brothers would pass away as casualties of war. His eldest brother passed away due to heat stroke after a battle and he and his youngest brother were captured in the Southern Theatre.
During the British occupation of 1781, brothers Andrew and Robert Jackson’s youthful defiance against an officer’s demand resulted in enduring physical scars for Andrew and imprisonment for both. Released but suffering from wartime hardships, Robert tragically succumbed to illness, while their selflessly tending mother also perished from disease.
Orphaned at age 14, Andrew became forever marked by these experiences, bearing an enduring animosity towards the British ethos of aristocratic privilege and the brutal consequences of war.
He married Rachel Donelson and became guardian of many children. He and his wife did not have any children of their own but did adopt two children. His wife passed away just after he took office as the seventh President of the United States.
His descendants would come through his adopted son Andrew Jackson Jr. who had six children.
Family Tree Chart
Parents:
Andrew Jackson (1730 – 1767) – The vital records of his dad are known but many details of his life are unknown. He was originally from Ireland and passed away before Andrew Jackson was born.
Elizabeth Hutchinson (1740 – 1781) – After the passing of her husband she took her son to live with nearby relatives. She was also from Ireland. She lived in poor health for most of her life in the Americas and took up residence as a housekeeper for the Crawford family in the Waxhaw region of South Carolina. She was at least able to provide a roof for her children and a place for them to grow up. When the war reached South Carolina and soldiers were captured she went to work as a nurse on a Charleston prison ship. Her health would eventually give out and she would pass away when Andrew was 13 years of age.
Spouse:
Rachel Donelson (1767 – 1828) – She was the love of his life and their marriage was rough but not due to each other. Donelson was in a terrible marriage before meeting Andrew Jackson and it seems as though she never officially divorced him which made her guilty of bigamy. As the couple aged together and Andrew became a more political figure her health declined and eventually failed due to the amount of personal attacks she took during his campaign against John Quincy Adams. She passed away just after Andrew Jackson won the Presidential election. Although her ailments began about three years before his victory he always blamed his political enemies for her passing.
Children:
Andrew Jackson Jr. (adopted) (1808 – 1865) – Andrew Jackson Jr. was adopted from Rachel’s brother. After the passing of Rachel’s brother Andrew became the guardian of his children. He aided all of them but had a connection with Andrew Jackson Jr. His eldest adopted son would manage his estate while he was President of the United States.
Lyncoya Jackson (adopted) (1811 – 1828) – In an odd turn of events Andrew Jackson adopted Lyncoya who was the son of a Creek Indian who had passed away due to Andrew Jackson’s actions against the tribe. Lyncoya struggled with his health his entire life and he did not have the opportunities of others due to his heritage. He passed away of tuberculosis when he was 16 years of age.
Siblings:
Hugh Jackson (1762 – 1779) – He was the eldest brother of Andrew Jackson and would serve in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. He would become the first casualty of the war for his family. He fought in the Battle of Sterno Ferry and fell on June 20, 1779.
Robert Jackson (1765 – 1781) – He also would fight the British while they were in South Carolina. He was captured and sent to a British prison ship. He was only 15 years of age when he was placed on that ship. He passed away of smallpox which would often run rampant on these ships. Robert’s mother would try to care for him while he was captured there.