Rachel Jackson

by Nellie Treanor Stokes

This band of pioneers planned to start the journey after the crops were “laid by” in the autumn, and for that purpose they were assembled in a commodious block house on the banks of the Holston River; but there had been a drouth and the water was not high enough to float the boats which were ready and waiting. In early November a terrible freeze took place. These and other factors delayed the departure until just before Christmas. Finally on December twenty-second, 1779, with all families aboard and well provisioned, they set sail. “The Good Ship Adventure” bearing the Donelsons and Mrs. Robertson and family led the way. Other boats followed, each with one or more families aboard protected by a complement of able men to come to the rescue in case of attack.

Thus the twelve-year-old Rachel turned her youthful face toward the land of promise in the setting sun, happily unaware of the web of romance and love, lonely tears and poignant grief, which the unseen hand of fate would weave for her there. But for the present there was only the priceless zest of a trip into the unknown, laden with hope of high adventure. Her stout hearted father was by her side, so she knew no evil could befall her. We may be sure she was a busy little girl, and that her talents and sprightly bearing added greatly to the happiness and morale of the company.

The winter was one of unusual severity. Progress was difficult. They had sometimes to land and wait for the frozen waters to thaw; there were rapids and water falls to conquer; and after a while terrible floods and swift currents laden with trees and drift wood to be avoided. Sickness and attacks by the Indians, who were armed with rifles as well as bow and arrows, beset them; food was scarce because much of the wild life had suffered that winter, and the game which was found was too starved to be of good quality. Even smallpox developed on one of the boats. Among such difficulties it was inevitable that examples of great heroism would arise.

The Hermitage, home of Andrew and Rachel Jackson

Witness the stoic fortitude of Nancy Gower. She was wounded while steering her boat when the Indians attacked from both river banks. Although she bled profusely she remained at her post of duty; and not until the party was beyond the reach of the savages did her companions know that she was wounded. In that sort of stern school did the child Rachel learn fortitude in bearing the uses of adversity.

After four months of hardship mingled with bright intervals of sunshine the Donelson party arrived on the twenty-fourth of April at the “Big Salt Lick” near the small settlement of log houses surrounded by a stockade which was called Fort Nashboro, and which is now Nashville.

Captain James Robertson with other heads of families had gone through the country on horseback, and preceded the boat party in time to build cabins for the expected families. Picture the meeting when the boats arrived and families were reunited; imagine the joy of Rachel at reaching the end of a long, tired journey and exploring a new home in a strange and beautiful land. Even now she did not dream that already the invisible figure of history held her firmly by the hand.

Here Col. Donelson prospered; accumulated acres, negroes, cattle and horses. Rachel grew into a beautiful and spirited young woman. On one of her father’s trips to Kentucky she was allowed to go with him. It chanced that they went to Harrodsburg, where she met Lewis Robards, the handsome son of one of the leading families. A courtship ensued, and he asked her to be his wife. She had other suitors but none so fascinating as this young man. Her father approved the marriage and after a while he went home alone, leaving Rachel with her husband there at his mother’s house in Harrodsburg. There was every reason why they should have prospered in their love together, but Lewis Robards proved to be of an insanely jealous disposition. In the very unpleasant scenes to which the jealousy of Robards subjected Rachel, her part was taken by all the members of the Robards household. She was then only eighteen. Her brother, Samuel, was despatched to bring her home, which he did much to the regret of Mrs. Robards who held a deep affection for Rachel and who never at any time blamed her for the son’s fiery outbursts. No sooner had she gone than Robards wanted her back again and made all manner of promises to persuade her to return.

While Rachel suffered this sorrow her father was killed mysteriously in the woods, and her presence at home was a bulwark to the bereaved family. But this was not for long.