Why is it that only three sons are mentioned at his death who go to live with Andrew and Rachel Jackson

Question

Samuel Donelson married to Mary Ann (Polly) Michie Smith

Samuel Born 1758, 1760 or 1770 (confusing) and D. 1830  

Mary Ann (Polly Smith born 1781-D1857

Children listed are

John Samuel Donelson 1797-1811

Andrew Jackson Donelson 1799-1871

Daniel Smith Donelson 1801-1863

One source put James Donelson 1798-1876 with this family but autobiographical information leave him out altogether.

Also, why would the children go to live and be raised by Rachel and Andrew whn at his death they seem to be 33 years, 31 and 29 respectively.  James is left out of the autobiography I was reading about Oil Hickory.

Answer 1

Anonymous Hello,  Look up Daniel Smith Donelson, on Find-A-Grave and click on the other family members links.  You will find the whole family listed there with quite a bit of information about all of them.  You will find his military history, and when you click on his brother Andrew Jackson Donelson, you will find his military history as well.  There are pictures of them there as well.  I suggest that Daniel Smith Donelson was probably born either in 1804 (or) 1805.  His draft card may give a different date.  Maybe, he lied about his age to get into the Civil War.  As both of the brothers served in it.  Perhaps you can look them up under their military information and find out more there.  If, you are not sure how to look them up under military just let me or someone else know and one of us here can direct you.  Here is a link to Daniel Smith Donelson: [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRID=10858]  Hope, this helps leads you to more about them than you already know.  Enjoy the search for better information.  Barbara Jean