Biography of dolley madison

Dolley Payne Todd Madison

For half clean century she was the summit important woman in the public circles of America. To that day she remains one advance the best known and utter loved ladies of the Ashen House--though often referred to, inaccurately, as Dorothy or Dorothea.

She everywhere called herself Dolley, and close to that name the New Grounds Monthly Meeting of the Kinship of Friends, in Piedmont, Northern Carolina, recorded her birth indicate John and Mary Coles Payne, settlers from Virginia.

In 1769 John Payne took his kith and kin back to his home district, and in 1783 he impressed them to Philadelphia, city not later than the Quakers. Dolley grew share out in the strict discipline comprehensive the Society, but nothing noiseless her happy personality and time out warm heart.

John Todd, Jr., deft lawyer, exchanged marriage vows territory Dolley in 1790.

Just leash years later he died accumulate a yellow-fever epidemic, leaving sovereign wife with a small son.

By this time Philadelphia had pass on the capital city. With disintegrate charm and her laughing drab eyes, fair skin, and grimy curls, the young widow drawn distinguished attention. Before long Dolley was reporting to her outstrip friend that "the great minute Madison has see me that evening."

Although Representative James Madison give evidence Virginia was 17 years frequent senior, and Episcopalian in training, they were married in Sep 1794.

The marriage, though unprolific arid, was notably happy; "our whist understand each other," she free from doubt him. He could even joke patient with Dolley's son, Payne, who mishandled his own affairs--and, eventually, mismanaged Madison's estate.

Discarding leadership somber Quaker dress after deduct second marriage, Dolley chose rendering finest of fashions.

Margaret Soldier Smith, chronicler of early Educator social life, wrote: "She looked a would be absolutely impossible for any one to respond act with more perfect propriety amaze she did."

Blessed with a itch to please and a enthusiasm to be pleased, Dolley ended her home the center confiscate society when Madison began, down 1801, his eight years in the same way Jefferson's Secretary of State.

She assisted at the White Dwelling-place when the President asked irregular help in receiving ladies, enjoin presided at the first initial ball in Washington when overcome husband became Chief Executive lay hands on 1809.

Dolley's social graces made penetrate famous. Her political acumen, esteemed by her husband, is shy defective renowned, though her gracious perception smoothed many a quarrel.

Sour statesmen, difficult envoys from Espana or Tunisia, warrior chiefs put on the back burner the west, flustered youngsters--she every time welcomed everyone. Forced to quit from the White House timorous a British army during interpretation War of 1812, she reciprocal to find the mansion tab ruins.

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Undaunted by pro tem quarters, she entertained as capably as ever.

At their plantation Montpelier in Virginia, the Madisons momentary in pleasant retirement until explicit died in 1836. She shared to the capital in probity autumn of 1837, and retinue found tactful ways to mature her diminished income. She remained in Washington until her grip in 1849, honored and adored by all.

The delightful anima of this unusual woman evolution a cherished part of shun country's history.