Dolley Madison

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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 infant son died in 1793 in a yellow fever epidemic.

First Lady

Dolley's lively outlook on life helped manage her grief through this tragedy. She again started to live life to its fullest. She attended several social gatherings in Philadelphia, which was then the capital of the United States. It was at one of these gatherings Senator Aaron Burr, of New York, introduced Dolley 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

Dolley Madison continued entertaining at the White House until war virtually reached her doorstep. The dinner table was set for 40 guests the day she left the White House. She and a few servants had remained at the White House, packing up valuable documents, silver, and other items of importance. With limited space, she made choices about what to take and what to leave. Among the items that could not be left behind was the full-length portrait of George Washington by artist Gilbert Stuart. Purchased by the federal government for $800, the portrait was as much a symbol of the republic as any other object. Once the painting was safely on its way, Dolly Madison left the White House. Residents flooded the roads out of town. Even the soldiers assigned to protect the White House had fled before Mrs. Madison. The destruction was about to begin.

The enjoyment of the renovations was short-lived. British troops burned the White House on the night of August 24-25, 1814. Most historical accounts reveal that they took pleasure in setting fire to the structure that represented a former colony and upstart nation. Although Dolley Madison fled the White House only hours earlier, taking with her state papers, important pieces of silver and the ultimate symbol of the country, the full length portrait of George Washington, she had expected to serve dinner to 40 military and cabinet officers accompanied by her husband. Instead, the British troops consumed the meal. They looted the house and then set fire to it. The house that had been the site of so many happy occasions was in ruins. All that remained were the scorched sandstone walls. Dolley Madison was distraught when she first returned to view the destruction. Although the Madisons would never live in the White House again, they were committed to the reconstruction of the house and to the resurrection of it as a symbol of the republic.

Later Life

With the conclusion of his second term in 1817, James and Dolley retired to Montpelier. Life on the plantation proved vibrant as Dolley continued to entertain guests as before. However, the prodigality of her son John, with whom both she and James were always too lenient, brought them financial problems. On June 28, 1836, James Madison died at the age of 85. Though childless, their 42-year marriage had been a remarkably blissful and happy one. Unfortunately, John Payne Todd's spending habits soon reduced his mother almost to poverty. This forced Dolley to sell both James's Continental Papers and Montpelier to pay the creditors. In 1837, Dolley returned to Washington and resumed her former status in the social life there. Dolley frequented numerous social and political events and was beloved by all. On July 12, 1849, Dolley Madison died in Washington at age 81. She was buried in the Congressional Cemetery with all the Washington dignitaries attending. Later her remains were moved to Montpelier next to her husband's.

Preceded by: Martha Jefferson Randolph

First Lady of the United States 1809–1817

Succeeded by: Elizabeth Kortright Monroe

Trivia

• Dolley is the correct spelling of the woman who would also be labeled as White House "Hostess with the mostest"
• First married and widowed to John Todd, she married James Madison in 1794 and was promptly expelled from the Society of Friends for marrying a non-Quaker
• Dolley had two sons to Todd, one survived infancy
• Mrs. Madison was emulated by other ladies of the day including her use of snuff in public, wearing turbans, and owning a macaw. Dolley attended and bet on horses races as well as holding her own in poker
• While her husband served in the state legislature, Mrs. Madison influenced him to vote against an import tax on snuff, one of her favorite vices
• The first First Lady to attend an inauguration in the new capital, Dolley entertained guests at the White House with piano sing-a-longs and stimulating conversation on the latest bestselling books
• Her portrait in the Smithsonian Institute depicts her with a book in hand
• When the British invaded Washington during the War of 1812, Dolley ordered the Gilbert Stuart painting of George Washington dismantled and safeguarded. She fled the White House just minutes before the soldiers set the home ablaz
• At her eulogy President Zachary Taylor referred her as "...truly, America's First Lady"

Bibliography

• Anthony, Katherine. Dolly Madison: Her Life and Times. New York: Doubleday and Company, 1949.

• Jensen, Amy. The White House and Its Thirty-Five Families. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1958.

• Leish, Kenneth W. The White House: A History of the Presidents. New York: Newsweek, 1972.

• Phelan, Mary Kay. The Burning of Washington: August 1814. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1975.

• Pitch, Anthony S. The Burning of Washington: The British Invasion of 1814. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1998.

• Seale, William. The President's House, Volume I. Washington, D. C.: White House Historical Association, 1986.

Further reading

• The Dolley Madison Project - The life, legacy, and letters of Dolley Payne Madison
• The Dolley Madison Digital Edition - The online correspondence of Dolley Payne Madison
• Allgor, Catherine. Parlor Politics: In Which the Ladies of Washington Help Build a City and a Government. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 2000.
• Allgor, Catherine. A Perfect Union: Dolley Madison and the Creation of the American Nation. New York: Henry Holt, 2005.

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