Dolley Madison

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, farmer and starch manufacturer, and his wife, Mary Coles. When Dolly Payne was fifteen years old, her parents sold their their plantation, freed their slaves, and moved north. Dolley's father did not believe in slavery and used the money made from selling the plantation to set up a business. The Paynes moved Dolley and her seven siblings, Walter, William Temple, Isaac, Lucy, Anna, Mary and John settled in Philadelphia. This move coincides with a significant event in United States history, as 1783 marked the end of the Revolutionary War.

Dolley adjusted well to city life. Her father had set up an office and shop in the front room of their home and was working in the starch business. Dolley soon became a very beautiful woman, and was considered to be the greatest beauty of her era. However, she remained a modest person who did not take her physical attributes for granted.

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.

Tragedy struck many in Philadelphia in August of 1793. Yellow fever swept through the city and it was the worst epidemic to strike any American city at that time. A great number of people died, including Dolley's husband and second infant son. Although she also became ill, she eventually recovered after a long, slow fight. She then found herself a widow who had to care for her remaining son, Payne.

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 Aaron Burr introduced Dolley to Representative James Madison of Virginia, known as being one of the drafters of the United States Constitution. Even though 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 at times was a difficult troubled child.

Dolley felt right at home in Washington, D.C. society. Before long she was asked by Thomas Jefferson, a widower, to serve as his hostess at White House social functions. Her gregarious personality served to rejuvenate the often stiff atmosphere of the Jefferson administration. The first eight years Dolley was in Washington, her influence ignited the position 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. Dolley's vivacious manner and expansive memory for names and her ability to make everyone feel at home in the White House combined to attract many guests. Her lavish dinner parties were noted for the surprise delicacies served. On one notable evening a dessert known as a French concoction at the time, creme d'glace was served. Dolley had stunned the guests at state dinner guests with the first ever serving of ice cream.

She began holding Wednesday evening "drawing rooms" (receptions) that became immensely popular with politicians, diplomats, and the well heeled citizenry. Not only was Dolley renowned for her charming wit, but her grasp on political conditions and understanding of current events were significant. She proved an asset to James's political career in two ways: her outgoing demeanor complimented his reserved and stonefaced disposition and her political insights influenced served well his decision-making. Undoubtedly, Dolley was one of the reasons James won re-election 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 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.

The only surviving photograph of Dolley Madison

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.

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