Secretary of War Resigns: Wives of other Cabinet Members Refuse to Accept Peggy O'Neale

John Eaton Letters Call Family and Brevard Family Papers Search "Eaton".

Alleging intimacy between Major Eaton and Peggy O'Neale before their marriage, wives of the members of President Andrew Jackson's cabinet refused to accept her into society.

Whether it was because of questions about her marriage, or because Peggy O'Neale Eaton refused to follow many of the restrictive customs of the time, a scandal erupted.

Before it was over, allegations were made, duels were threatened, and Andrew Jackson's entire cabinet resigned.

After John Eaton resigned his position as Secretary of War, Andrew Jackson appointed him Governor of Florida.