Early Life
Margaret O’Neale, later known as Peggy Eaton, was born on December 3, 1799, in Washington D.C., to William and Rhoda O’neale, Her father was the proprietor of the Franklin House, a prominent inn located near the Capital. The Franklin House was frequently visited by politicians, military officers, and other notable figures of early 19th-century Washington society, providing young Peggy with an unusual level of exposure to influential people. This early proximity to power and politics shaped her social confidence and familiarity with the political elite.1
Despite her modest origins as the daughter of an innkeeper, Peggy received an education that surpassed what was typical for women of her class at the time. She was taught music, French, and literature, skills that allowed her to move comfortably in high society.2 However, her bold personality and willingness to engage in conversations with men–particularly about politics–made her a controversial figure even from a young age.3 These traits would later play a key role in the scandals that surrounded her adult life.
In 1816, at the age of 17, Peggy married John B. Timberlake, a naval officer. Their marriage was shaped by Timberlake’s financial struggles and long absences at sea.4 Timberlake, often in debt and away on naval assignments, left Peggy to manage their household and navigate the social world of Washington largely on her own.5 Despite these challenges, Peggy remained a vivacious figure in Washington society, continuing to attend events and charm those around her with wit and social skill.6
Rumors of infidelity began to surface during Timberlake’s long absences, fueled by Peggy’s interactions with men in her social circles. These rumors were further exacerbated by her familiarity with John Eaton, a close friend of Andrew Jackson and a prominent political figure.7 Although there is no definitive evidence that Peggy and John were involved before Timberlake’s death, gossip about their relationship intensified when Timberlake passed away in 1828. Marszalek states that Timberlake’s death in 1828 was officially attributed to pneumonia, but he also notes speculation that Timberlake may have committed suicide due to overwhelming debt.8
Peggy Eaton’s early life and first marriage reveal the complexity of her character and the societal pressure she faced as a woman navigating the elite circles of 19th-century Washington. From her modest beginnings at the Franklin House to her controversial first marriage, Peggy’s story highlights the tension between societal expectation and individual agency. Her upbringing gave her the tools to thrive in political society, but it also made her an easy target for gossip and exclusion. These early experiences set the stage for the Petticoat Affair, where Peggy's reputation and social standing would come under even greater scrutiny.
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1Marszalek, John F. The Petticoat Affair: Manners, Mutiny, and Sex in Andrew Jackson's White House. New York: Free Press, 1997.
2Wood, Kirsten E. "One Woman So Dangerous to Public Morals: Gender and Power in the Eaton Affair." Journal of the Early Republic 17, no. 2 (1997): 237–275.
3Marszalek, John F. The Petticoat Affair: Manners, Mutiny, and Sex in Andrew Jackson's White House. New York: Free Press, 1997.
4Wood, Kirsten E. "One Woman So Dangerous to Public Morals: Gender and Power in the Eaton Affair." Journal of the Early Republic 17, no. 2 (1997): 237–275.
5Marszalek, John F. The Petticoat Affair: Manners, Mutiny, and Sex in Andrew Jackson's White House. New York: Free Press, 1997.
6Wood, Kirsten E. "One Woman So Dangerous to Public Morals: Gender and Power in the Eaton Affair." Journal of the Early Republic 17, no. 2 (1997): 237–275.
7Marszalek, John F. The Petticoat Affair: Manners, Mutiny, and Sex in Andrew Jackson's White House. New York: Free Press, 1997.
8Marszalek, John F. The Petticoat Affair: Manners, Mutiny, and Sex in Andrew Jackson's White House. New York: Free Press, 1997.
