Perspectives: Robards | Jackson
Marriage in Natchez | Divorce Laws

Judge Overton's Narrative
1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Print Entire Chapter

"In the fall of 1787, I became a boarder in the family of Mrs. Robards, the mother of Lewis Robards, in Mercer county, Kentucky. Captain Robards and his wife then lived with old Mrs. Robards.

I had not lived there many weeks before I understood that Captain Robards and his wife lived very unhappily, on account of his being jealous of Mr. Short. My brother, who was a boarder, informed me that great uneasiness had existed in the family for some time before my arrival. As he had the confidence and good will of all parties, a portion of his confidence fell to my share, particularly the old lady's, than whom, perhaps, a more amiable woman never lived. The uneasiness between Captain Robards and lady continued to increase, and with it great distress of the mother, and considerably with the family generally; until early in the year 1788, as well as now recollected, I understood from the old lady, and perhaps others of the family, that her son Lewis had written to Mrs. Robards' mother, the widow Donelson, requesting that she would take her home, as he did not intend to live with her any longer. Certain it is, that Mrs. Robards brother, Samuel Donelson, came up to carry her down to her mother's, and my impression is, in the fall or summer of 1788. I was present when Mr. Samuel Donelson arrived at Mrs. Robards, and when he started away with his sister; and my clear and distinct recollection is, that it was said to be a final separation at the instance of Captain Robards; for I well recollect the distress of old Mrs. Robards, on account of her daughter-in-law Rachel going away, and on account of the separation that was about to take place, together with the circumstance of the old lady's embracing her affectionately. In unreserved conversations with me, the old lady always blamed her son Lewis, and took the part of her daughter-in-law.

During my residence in Mrs. Robards family, I do not recollect to have heard any of the family censure young Mrs. Robards, on account of the difference between her husband and herself; if they thought otherwise, it was unknown to me; but recollect frequently to have heard the old lady and Captain Jouett, who married the eldest daughter of the family, at that time, express the most favorable sentiments of her.

Having finished my studies in the winter of '88-9, it was determined to fix my residence in the country now called West Tennessee. Previously to my departure from Mrs. Robards, the old lady earnestly entreated me to use my exertions to get her son Lewis and daughter-in-law Rachel to live happily together.    [more >>]

1 | 2 | 3 | 4