Encyclopedia, Difference between revisions of "Dolley Madison" - New World

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Madison in 1818

Dorothea "Dolley" Payne Todd Madison (May 20, 1768 – July 12, 1849), wife of President James Madison, who served from 1809 until 1817. She also occasionally acted as what is now described as First Lady of the United States during the administration of Thomas Jefferson - fulfilling the ceremonial functions more usually associated with the President's wife, since Jefferson was a widower. Dolley Madison was especially noted for her graciousness and charm as hostess during her husband's presidency. She was also her husband's confidante and adviser.

Early Life

She was born in New Garden, a Quaker community in what is today Guilford County, North Carolina, on May 20, 1768, a daughter of John Payne, a not-too-successful farmer and erstwhile starch manufacturer, and his wife, Mary Coles. Dolley grew up in the strict discipline of the Society, but nothing muted her happy personality and her warm heart. She spent her teenage years in Philadelphia and attended Salem College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

On January 7, 1790 in Philadelphia, she married John Todd, Jr., a lawyer who was instrumental in keeping her father out of bankruptcy and who found Mary Payne a position as the manager of a boarding house. The couple had two sons, John Payne and William Temple. Her husband and their younger child died in 1793 in a yellow fever epidemic.

First Lady

Dolley's characteristic optimism enabled her to get through this tragedy and continue to live life to its fullest. She attended various social functions in Philadelphia, then the capital of the United States. At one of which, through Senator Aaron Burr of New York, Dolley was introduced to Representative James Madison of Virginia, renowned as the architect of the United States Constitution. Although Representative James Madison of Virginia was 17 years her senior, and Episcopalian in background, they were married. The marriage, though childless, was notably happy; "our hearts understand each other," she assured him. He could even be patient with Dolley's son, Payne, who mishandled his own affairs—and, eventually, mismanaged Madison's estate. Dolley took to Washington, D.C., society like a duck takes to water, and she was given a golden opportunity when Thomas Jefferson, a widower, asked her to serve as his hostess at White House social functions. Her extroversion served to enliven the often austere atmosphere of the Jefferson administration, in addition to providing the harmony needed to quell the political tensions. The first eight years Dolley was in Washington, her influence fomented the role she would assume after James was elected president in 1808.

Once Dolley Madison became first lady in 1809, her status as the central figure of Washington society was confirmed. The vivacious Dolley's expansive memory for names and ability to make everyone at home in the White House attracted guests by the many. Her lavish dinner parties were noted for the surprise delicacies served. She began holding Wednesday evening "drawing rooms" (receptions) that became immensely popular with politicians, diplomats, and the citizenry. Not only was Dolley renowned for her charm, but her knowledge of politics and current events was significant as well. She proved an asset to James's political career in two ways: her outgoing demeanor complimented his reserved and stonefaced disposition and her political insight influenced his decision-making. Undoubtedly, Dolley was one of the reasons James won reelection in 1812.

British Invasion

In 1814 when the British burned and captured Washington, Dolley, having been deserted by the guards posted there for her protection, became a heroine. It was she who packed up the valuables and papers, as well as the famous painting of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart, placed them in wagons and sent them to secure locations, getting out just in time herself. She spent the next three days in Virginia, trying to find her husband, and finally returning to Washington on foot, to find the charred capital.

Preceded by:
Martha Jefferson Randolph

First Lady of the United States
1809–1817

Succeeded by:
Elizabeth Kortright Monroe

Notes

Credits

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@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 She was born in New Garden, a [[Religious Society of Friends|Quaker]] community in what is today Guilford County, North Carolina, on May 20, 1768, a daughter of John Payne, a not-too-successful farmer and erstwhile starch manufacturer, and his wife, Mary Coles. Dolley grew up in the strict discipline of the Society, but nothing muted her happy personality and her warm heart.  She spent her teenage years in Philadelphia and attended Salem College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
-On January 7, 1790 in Philadelphia, she married John Todd, Jr., a lawyer who was instrumental in keeping her father out of bankruptcy and who found Mary Payne a position as the manager of a boarding house. The couple had two sons, John Payne and William Temple . Her husband and their younger child died in 1793 in a yellow fever epidemic.
+On January 7, 1790 in Philadelphia, she married John Todd, Jr., a lawyer who was instrumental in keeping her father out of bankruptcy and who found Mary Payne a position as the manager of a boarding house. The couple had two sons, John Payne and William Temple. Her husband and their younger child died in 1793 in a yellow fever epidemic.
 [[Image:Dolly_Madison.jpg|200px|right|The only surviving photograph of Dolley Madison]]
-Dolley Todd married James Madison on [[September 14]], [[1794]]. The couple had been introduced by a mutual friend, [[Aaron Burr]], who was a frequent guest at the boarding house managed by Mary Payne. The location of the wedding was a [[Virginia]] [[plantation]] owned by the bride's brother-in-law [[George Steptoe Washington]], a nephew of the first president of the United States. The Madisons had no children but raised Dolley's son from her first marriage, John Payne Todd, whom they called Payne. Unfortunately, the child grew into a profligate young man addicted to gambling, a habit that resulted in his mother's eventual impoverishment.
+==First Lady==
+Dolley's characteristic optimism enabled her to get through this tragedy and continue to live life to its fullest. She attended various social functions in Philadelphia, then the capital of the [[United States]]. At one of which, through Senator Aaron Burr of New York, Dolley was introduced  to Representative [[James Madison]] of Virginia, renowned as the architect of the [[United States]] Constitution. Although Representative [[James Madison]] of Virginia was 17 years her senior, and Episcopalian in background, they were married. The marriage, though childless, was notably happy; "our hearts understand each other," she assured him. He could even be patient with Dolley's son, Payne, who mishandled his own affairs—and, eventually, mismanaged Madison's estate.
+Dolley took to Washington, D.C., society like a duck takes to water, and she was given a golden opportunity when [[Thomas Jefferson]], a widower, asked her to serve as his hostess at [[White House]] social functions. Her extroversion served to enliven the often austere atmosphere of the Jefferson administration, in addition to providing the harmony needed to quell the political tensions. The first eight years Dolley was in Washington, her influence fomented the role she would assume after James was elected president in 1808.
+Once Dolley Madison became first lady in 1809, her status as the central figure of Washington society was confirmed. The vivacious Dolley's expansive memory for names and ability to make everyone at home in the White House attracted guests by the many. Her lavish dinner parties were noted for the surprise delicacies served.  She began holding Wednesday evening "drawing rooms"  (receptions) that became immensely popular with politicians, diplomats, and the citizenry. Not only was Dolley renowned for her charm, but her knowledge of politics and current events was significant as well. She proved an asset to James's political career in two ways: her outgoing demeanor complimented his reserved and stonefaced disposition and her political insight influenced his decision-making. Undoubtedly, Dolley was one of the reasons James won reelection in 1812.
+==British Invasion==
+In 1814 when the British burned and captured Washington, Dolley, having been deserted by the guards posted there for her protection, became a heroine. It was she who packed up the valuables and papers, as well as the famous painting of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart, placed them in wagons and sent them to secure locations, getting out just in time herself. She spent the next three days in Virginia, trying to find her husband, and finally returning to Washington on foot, to find the charred capital.
-During her husband's political life, Dolley Madison was noted as a gracious hostess, whose sassy, ebullient personality, love of feathered turbans, and passion for [[snuff]] ([[tobacco]]) seemed at odds with her Quaker upbringing. However, probably her most lasting achievement was her rescue of valuable treasures, including state papers and a [[Gilbert Stuart]] painting of [[George Washington]], from the [[White House]] before it was burned by the [[United Kingdom|British]] army in [[1814]].
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