Presidents and First Ladies Trivia

[Donna McCreary]

Somewhere in the recesses of my mind, I remember either a book or a movie ca. 1955 about the Jacksons' love affair - just can't remember the title. I do remember the story of Peggy Eaton, however, and how President Jackson took up for her when other "socialite wives" tried to smear her with mud also. See www.womenhistoryblog.com › Scandalous Women

The story of the fiasco at the White House followed Jackson's inauguration, I believe. He was very popular and hordes of common folk showed up to party. One version has Jackson actually escaping through a window and going to a hotel for sanctuary.

On a side note, I have been told that Jackson was friends with both Sam Houston and Junius Booth, Sr. and that the three of them had some wild times together out West I once was told that Senior Booth's drinking habits were encouraged by Jackson and Houston and that their familiarity also led to the threat that Booth made against Jackson regarding a stay of execution (?).

Irving Stone made a career out of writing novels about presidents and their wives. In addition to LOVE IS ETERNAL about the Lincolns, Stone wrote THE PRESIDENT'S LADY about Andrew and Rachel Jackson. The movie (same title) was made in the early 1950's. Charlton Heston played Andy Jackson. Susan Hayward played Rachel.