One breakup seems to have strained the partnership anywhere between Charles and Charlotte

Even if modern profile advise that George was at Andrew Jackson’s front as he died, so it Currier & Ives printing and other preferred depictions of your own president’s deathbed leave your out.

Our very own greatest research about their existence comes from Jackson’s interaction which have a prospective buyer for Charlotte therefore the around three youngsters. When you look at the November off 1830, he had written a few letters to help you Robert Johnstone Chester, providing Charlotte and also the around three college students to help you your to have $800. Jackson had written one to Charlotte had particularly expected to be sold to Chester, “getting disconted [sic] in which she now could be.” 13 Jackson showcased exactly how that it purchases might be about most readily useful appeal of your own enslaved some body in it. He had just ordered Charlotte to start with, he authored, while the Charles had asked him to, and he was just ready to promote her today just like the Charles had agreed to they. “I didn’t wish to separate her & their own children, away from charles, particularly his children,” Jackson published, ignoring the fact he had currently split up them from the bringing Charles to Washington, D.C. and you may leaving other loved ones inside the Tennessee. Jackson had had the intention of giving Charles household up to he been aware of this consult: “We enquired off charles whether he had been happy so you’re able to part with their & the youngsters; he replied regarding affirmative.” 14

Charlotte along with her college students come in Hermitage information on 1840s and 1850s, long-past brand new day of this recommended exchange. 15 And no lead list off Charles’ or Charlotte’s viewpoints, we need to rely on Jackson’s characters to take a position the way they thought in regards to the entire condition and you may what would keeps changed. Possibly the extended separation place such as for example a-strain on the relationships you to Charles would voluntarily hop out his wife, but the guy balked at the thought out-of abandoning about three children below age seven. Or perhaps Jackson and you may Chester simply could not agree on a beneficial rates getting a female who Jackson titled “one of the best servants We actually noticed, were they perhaps not to have her ungovernable state of mind, and you will tongue.” sixteen Long lasting facts might be in cases like this, it appears that Charles’ household members try protected the fresh new permanent breakup you to a sale would have composed. Most other members of Andrew Jackson’s house weren’t so happy.

Indeed, numerous people in Jackson’s enslaved professionals came into the brand new White Family courtesy get, in the place of travel out-of Tennessee. Historian William Seale debated you to Jackson improved what amount of enslaved somebody and you may reduced what amount of 100 % free, leased servants in the household over the course of their presidency to save cash, thus he may has viewed the purchase out-of most enslaved laborers while the a payment-reducing size. 17 It absolutely was an elevated funding initial than rented work, but it yielded a longevity of labor with the president.

Excerpt of Andrew Jackson’s bank-book getting April sixteen, 1832, showing a check to help you his implemented nephew Major An excellent.J. Donelson to own “a mulato girl, servant, bought by the your having Andrew Jackson, that he gave to help you Mary Rachel, daughter out-of An effective. J. and you can Emily Donelson”

Perhaps its dating had finished and you will Charlotte performed query Jackson to help you offer their own so you’re able to Chester, but then got a distinction from center

A new enslaved youngster, an enthusiastic eight-year-dated girl entitled Emeline, arrived to the new White Domestic at the beginning of 1832. She are bought due to the fact something special to have Mary Emily Donelson, Jackson’s grandniece, by their nephew, Major Andrew Jackson Donelson. Donelson produced the purchase with the president’s part and you will Jackson refunded your on girl after ward. 20

The new purchases, not, probably never ever happened

Mary Emily lived-in the latest White Home with her father, whom supported because president’s individual assistant, as well as of a lot members of her offered members of the family. Emeline, as well, most likely never ever existed along with her friends again.