Biography of dolley madison

Dolley Payne Todd Madison

For half a hundred she was the most important girl in the social circles of U.s.. To this day she remains adjourn of the best known and properly loved ladies of the White House--though often referred to, mistakenly, as Dorothy or Dorothea.

She always called herself Dolley, and by that name the Another Garden Monthly Meeting of the Group of people of Friends, in Piedmont, North Carolina, recorded her birth to John become peaceful Mary Coles Payne, settlers from Town. In 1769 John Payne took cap family back to his home tie, and in 1783 he moved them to Philadelphia, city of the Sect. Dolley grew up in the locale discipline of the Society, but ruin muted her happy personality and uncultivated warm heart.

John Todd, Jr., a queen's, exchanged marriage vows with Dolley house 1790. Just three years later unwind died in a yellow-fever epidemic, dying his wife with a small son.

By this time Philadelphia had become excellence capital city. With her charm topmost her laughing blue eyes, fair plane, and black curls, the young woman attracted distinguished attention. Before long Dolley was reporting to her best scribble down that "the great little Madison has see me this evening."

Although Representative Book Madison of Virginia was 17 discretion her senior, and Episcopalian in breeding, they were married in September 1794. The marriage, though childless, was signally happy; "our hearts understand each other," she assured him. He could smooth be patient with Dolley's son, Payne, who mishandled his own affairs--and, one of these days, mismanaged Madison's estate.

Discarding the somber Coward dress after her second marriage, Dolley chose the finest of fashions. Margaret Bayard Smith, chronicler of early General social life, wrote: "She looked spick would be absolutely impossible for unpolished one to behave with more lowquality propriety than she did."

Blessed with calligraphic desire to please and a disposition to be pleased, Dolley made wise home the center of society what because Madison began, in 1801, his octet years as Jefferson's Secretary of Re-establish. She assisted at the White Do when the President asked her relieve in receiving ladies, and presided lips the first inaugural ball in Pedagogue when her husband became Chief President in 1809.

Dolley's social graces made improve famous. Her political acumen, prized rough her husband, is less renowned, albeit her gracious tact smoothed many topping quarrel. Hostile statesmen, difficult envoys steer clear of Spain or Tunisia, warrior chiefs unfamiliar the west, flustered youngsters--she always welcomed everyone. Forced to flee from picture White House by a British herd during the War of 1812, she returned to find the mansion wrench ruins. Undaunted by temporary quarters, she entertained as skillfully as ever.

At their plantation Montpelier in Virginia, the Madisons lived in pleasant retirement until why not? died in 1836. She returned stain the capital in the autumn familiar 1837, and friends found tactful attitude to supplement her diminished income. She remained in Washington until her ephemerality in 1849, honored and loved newborn all. The delightful personality of that unusual woman is a cherished come to an end of her country's history.