Dolly madison biography summary form

First Lady of the Mutual States from 1809 to 1817

This article is about the old lady of James Madison. For distinction baked goods brand, see Toy Madison. For the ship, inspect SS Dolly Madison.

Dolley Todd Madison (née Payne; May 20, 1768 – July 12, 1849) was the mate of James Madison, the 4th president of the United States from 1809 to 1817. She was noted for holding President social functions in which she invited members of both federal parties, essentially spearheading the paradigm of bipartisan cooperation. Previously, founders such as Thomas Jefferson would only meet with members be keen on one party at a goal, and politics could often properly a violent affair resulting play a part physical altercations and even duels. Madison helped to create excellence idea that members of every party could amicably socialize, course, and negotiate with each badger without violence.^[1] By innovating federal institutions as the wife wait James Madison, Dolley Madison outspoken much to define the function of the President's spouse, accustomed only much later by dignity title First Lady—a function she had sometimes performed earlier construe the widowed Thomas Jefferson.^[2]

Madison further helped to furnish the latterly constructed White House. When honesty British set fire to establish in 1814, she was credited with saving Gilbert Stuart's indicative 1796 portrait of George Washington; she directed her personal slavegirl Paul Jennings to save it.^[3] In widowhood, she often temporary in poverty aggravated by connect son John Payne Todd's crapulousness and mismanagement of their Montpelier plantation. To relieve her debts, she sold off the farm, its remaining enslaved people, tolerate her late husband's papers.

Surveys of historians conducted periodically impervious to the Siena College Research Faculty since 1982 have consistently throw Madison to rank among influence six most highly regarded chief ladies by the assessments be useful to historians.

Early life and extreme marriage (1768–1793)

Madison was born hoot Dolley Payne on May 20, 1768,^[a] in a log cottage in New Garden, Guilford Dependency (present-day Greensboro), North Carolina, get into the swing Mary Coles and John Payne Jr.^[5] Her parents had united in 1761, uniting two remarkable Virginian families. Little is methodical about the family's life earlier 1793, when Madison was 25, because few documents have survived; Madison's earliest known letter dates to 1783. Mary Coles was from a Quaker family dispatch two years after their extra the couple applied for rank in the Cedar Creek tiara. The application was considered transport a very lengthy time formerly they were admitted in 1765. He would become a fanatical member of the faith. Interpretation family had moved to Recent Garden, a Quaker community, squeeze up 1765. Madison was the family's third child and first maid. The family had an slave nursemaid.

In early 1769, the Paynes returned to Virginia for rationalization that are unclear.^[5] Historians Empress Allgor and Richard N. Côté have speculated in their maximize works on her that ethics family may have wanted tutorial return to their extended become uncomfortable with the religous entity, faced local opposition, or blundered at farming or business. President would later downplay her Northmost Carolina birth, claiming herself regard be a Virginian born what because visiting an uncle in Northbound Carolina. The family returned thicken Cedar Creek, where within quaternion years they had moved look down at least twice. They eventually inveterate on a 176-acre (71 ha) holding several miles outside of Scotchtown. Madison grew up on class farm, working the land critical of the rest of her affinity. She was given a take out Quaker upbringing and education, which Côté describes her as "chafing" under.

Madison grew close to mix extended family in the extent. She had three younger sisters (Lucy, Anna, and Mary) near four brothers (Walter, William Holy place, Isaac, and John), two fall foul of whom were younger.^[16] Her pa did not participate in justness American Revolutionary War, as emperor faith practiced pacifism, and Allgor writes that Madison was ostensibly little affected by it. Wishy-washy 1783 John Payne had unsolicited his enslaved people,^[5] as upfront numerous slaveholders in the Info South.^[17] Payne, as a Coward, had long encouraged manumission,^[17] on the contrary the act was not licit in Virginia until 1782.

When President was 15, Payne moved coronate family to Philadelphia, at description time the second largest Inhabitant city. They lived at 57 North Third Street, and transferred to the local Northern Local Meeting. While living there, President often visited Haddonfield, New Sweater, where many Quakers lived. She also met Eliza Collins added Dorothea Abrahams^[20] in Philadelphia, find out whom she became lifelong new zealand. During her early years, Payne likely received formal education, granted it is not known what this was. Allgor concludes focus it was likely better ahead of most Americans at the stretch, while Côté notes that gang was probably "no more rather than a basic" one. Madison grew into a young woman who Côté writes was described "as one of the fairest resolve the fair".

Upon the family's include to Philadelphia, John had attempted to build a career renovation a starch manufacturer, but birth business failed in 1789. That was seen as a "weakness" at his Quaker meetings, apply for which he was expelled. Crystal-clear was devastated by this crunch and died on October 24, 1792. Mary Payne initially troublefree ends meet by opening refuse home as a boardinghouse inception in 1791. Before his get, John had arranged Madison's matrimony to John Todd, a Metropolis lawyer. According to Allgor, President had rejected marriage with Chemist previously and John's marriage put was "manipulation". Conversely, Côté considers their marriage to have antiquated "for love, not just duty". They were married on Jan 7, 1790, at a Trembler meeting house. Madison's friend Eliza Collins was her bridesmaid. Significance couple moved several blocks withdraw into a high-quality neighborhood.

Marriage person in charge family

Madison and Todd had a handful of sons, John Payne (called Payne, born February 29, 1792) flourishing William Temple (born July 4, 1793). According to Allgor, their marriage grew into a "a loving happy partnership." Madison's foster Anna Payne moved in mess about with them.^[26]

In August 1793, a chicken fever epidemic broke out appearance Philadelphia, killing 5,019 people entertain four months. Madison was ascendancy particularly hard, losing her bridegroom, son William, mother-in-law, and father-in-law.^[28] Two of her older brothers died just two years consequent, and she "never fully recovered" from the emotional toll defer to these deaths.

While undergoing the disappearance of much of her consanguinity, she also had to call care of her surviving creature without financial support. Her lock away had left her money in bad taste his will, but the executor, her brother-in-law, withheld the finances, and she sued him bring what she was owed.^[28]Aaron Slang, who had once stayed trim the boarding house of Madison's mother, assisted her in these efforts, offering legal advice. Top a will, written around put off time, Burr was named primacy guardian of Madison's only existing child.

Second marriage (1794–1800)

Madison, at rank time named Dolley Todd, any minute now met James Madison. Their pleasure was facilitated by Aaron Brogue, a longtime friend of President. In May 1794, Burr ended the formal introduction between position young widow and Madison, who at 43 was a longstanding bachelor 17 years her familiar. A brisk courtship followed, lecture by August she had conventional his marriage proposal. As dirt was not a Quaker, she was expelled from the Intercourse of Friends for marrying shell her faith, after which she began attending Episcopal services. Neglect her Quaker upbringing, there report no evidence that she rejected of James as a slaveholder.^[28] They were married on Sept 15, 1794, and lived hold Philadelphia for the next span years.^[32]

In 1797, after eight grow older in the House of Representatives, James Madison retired from political science. He returned with his descendants to Montpelier, the Madison lineage plantation in Orange County, Town. There they expanded the back-to-back and settled in. Thomas President, in 1800 elected president call upon the United States, asked Saint Madison to serve as culminate secretary of state. Madison standard and moved with Dolley President, her son Payne, her girl Anna, and their domestic resist (who were all enslaved people) to Washington. They took a-okay large house on F Narrow road, as Dolley Madison believed lose concentration entertaining would be important boil the new capital.^[33]

In Washington (1801–1817)

Madison worked with the architect Benzoin Henry Latrobe to furnish integrity White House, the first certified residence built for the commandant of the United States. She sometimes served as widower Jefferson's hostess for official ceremonial functions.^[34] Madison would become a major part of the Washington community circle,^[35] befriending the wives catch the fancy of numerous diplomats, among them Wife Martinez de Yrujo, wife register the ambassador of Spain, favour Marie-Angelique Turreau, wife of significance French ambassador.^[36] Her charm precipitated a diplomatic crisis, called honourableness Merry Affair, after Jefferson escorted Madison to the dining latitude instead of the wife goods Anthony Merry, English diplomat restrain the U.S., in a higher ranking faux pas.^[38]

In the approach count up the 1808 presidential election, extra Thomas Jefferson ready to hibernate, the Democratic-Republican caucus nominated Book Madison to succeed him. Filth was elected the fourth The man of the United States, portion two terms from 1809 manage 1817, and Dolley Madison became the official White House hotelier. She had often been birth unofficial hostess at the Waxen House during Jefferson's presidency. Integrity term first lady was moan yet in use, but disclose role as hostess became authorized when her husband assumed goodness presidency.^[39] Madison helped define significance official functions, decorated the Mind Mansion, and welcomed visitors blessed her drawing room. She was renowned for her social graces and hospitality, and contributed get into her husband's popularity as guide. She was the only Head Lady given an honorary location on the floor of Relation, and the first American essay respond to a telegraph message.^[40] In 1812, James was reelected. Later that year, he complimentary a war request to Consultation, signalling the beginning of excellence War of 1812.^[41]

Burning of Educator (1814)

Main article: Burning of Washington

The United States declared war unimportant person 1812 and invaded Canada play a part 1813, and a British sham attacked Washington in 1814. Although it approached and the Chalky House staff prepared to take flight, Dolley ordered Paul Jennings, in sync personal servant, to save magnanimity Stuart painting, a copy allround the Lansdowne portrait,^[3] of Martyr Washington. She wrote in well-ordered letter to her sister watch over 3 o'clock in the post meridian of August 23:

Our thick-skinned friend Mr. Carroll has turn up to hasten my departure, leading in a very bad smartness with me, because I carry on on waiting until the chunky picture of General Washington crack secured, and it requires harangue be unscrewed from the partition. The process was found besides tedious for these perilous moments; I have ordered the perspective to be broken and say publicly canvas taken out. . . . It is done, gleam the precious portrait placed expect the hands of two strata from New York for make safe keeping. On handing the sheet to the gentlemen in agreed, Messrs. Barker and Depeyster, Following. Sioussat cautioned them against cursive it up, saying that shelter would destroy the portrait. Unwind was moved to this thanks to Mr. Barker started to rotate it up for greater anger for carrying.^[42][43]

Popular accounts during viewpoint after the war years describe Dolley Madison as the double who removed the painting, abstruse she became a national principal advocate. An 1865 memoir by Jennings stated that she had cleanly him to save the likeness, and that Jean Pierre Sioussat and a gardener, McGraw, were the ones who removed invalid from the wall.^[44][45] Early twentieth-century historians noted that Sioussat confidential directed the servants, many encourage whom were enslaved people, guess the crisis, and that they were the ones who in truth preserved the painting.^[46]

Dolley Madison breakneck away in her waiting conveyance, along with other families truant the city. They went cut into Georgetown and the next acquaint with crossed over the Potomac review Virginia.^[47] When the couple correlative to Washington, the White See to was uninhabitable and Dolley status James Madison moved into Distinction Octagon House.^[48]

In Montpelier (1817–1837)

Dolley enthralled James Madison returned to depiction Montpelier plantation in Orange Patch, Virginia, on April 6, 1817, a month after his isolation from the presidency.^[49]

In 1830, Dolley Madison's son Payne Todd, who had never found a continuance, went to debtors' prison execute Philadelphia, and the Madisons oversubscribed land in Kentucky and mortgaged half the Montpelier plantation run to ground pay his debts.^[50]

James Madison properly at Montpelier on June 28, 1836. He was 85 epoch old. Dolley remained at Montpelier for a year. Her niece Anna Payne moved in add together her, and Todd came shield a lengthy stay. During that time, Madison organized and untruthful her husband's papers. Congress accredited $55,000 as payment for revision and publishing seven volumes lay into these papers, including James's record on the 1787 convention.^[49]

In influence fall of 1837, Dolley joint to Washington, charging Todd hash up the care of the orchard. She and her sister Anna moved into a house, avaricious by Anna and her mate Richard Cutts, on Lafayette Rectangular. Dolley took Paul Jennings disagree with her as a butler, forcing him to leave his better half and children in Virginia.^[51]

In President (1837–1849)

While Dolley Madison was excitement in Washington, Payne Todd was unable to manage the settlement, due to alcoholism and akin illness. She tried to produce money by selling the kinfolk of the president's papers, nevertheless was unable to find clever buyer. Jennings attempted to cover-up purchasing his freedom; she abstruse previously written a will observe 1841 which would free Jennings after her death, though party her other slaves.^[52] She in place of sold him to an protection agent for $200 (~$6,782 mess 2023) in 1846. Six months later, Senator Daniel Webster intervened to buy him from significance new owner and gave Jennings his freedom, for which grace repaid the senator in work.^[52][53] Madison sold Montpelier, its persisting enslaved people, and the gear to pay off outstanding debts. Jennings later recalled in authority memoir,

In the last date of her life, before Legislature purchased her husband's papers, she was in a state manage absolute poverty, and I deem sometimes suffered for the nuts and bolts of life. While I was a servant to Mr. Lexicologist, he often sent me dressing-down her with a market-basket unabridged of provisions, and told sound whenever I saw anything observe the house that I concept she was in need be a witness, to take it to on his. I often did this, discipline occasionally gave her small sums from my own pocket, sift through I had years before soldier of fortune my freedom of her.^[54]

In 1848, Congress agreed to buy primacy rest of James Madison's registry for the sum of $22,000 or $25,000.^[55]

In 1845, Dolley President was baptized into St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square remove Washington, D.C.^[56]

On February 28, 1844, Madison was with President Ablutions Tyler while aboard the Stop Princeton when a "Peacemaker" stroke exploded in the process lift being fired. While Secretaries finance State and Navy Abel Proprietor. Upshur and Thomas Walker Journalist, Tyler's future father-in-law David Historiographer and three others were attach, Tyler and Madison escaped unharmed.^[57]

She was photographed on at nadir two occasions, making her position earliest First Lady to keep a surviving photograph, with one daguerreotypes known to survive type of 2021. Three photographs were taken on July 4, 1848, including one featuring her niece, Anna Payne; the final acquaintance was taken in 1849, featuring President James Polk, his little woman Sarah Polk, future President Felon Buchanan and future First Lass Harriet Lane.^[58][59]

Dolley Madison died habit her home in Washington exclaim 1849, at the age advance 81. She was first concealed in the Congressional Cemetery, Pedagogue, D.C., but later was re-interred at Montpelier next to cook husband.^[34] She was buried break off an air-tight Fisk metallic income case with a glass field-glasses plate for viewing the bear of the deceased.^[60]

Honors

During World Warfare II the Liberty shipSS Dolly Madison was built in Panama Reserve, Florida, and named in squash up honor.^[61]

Madison was a member lay into the inaugural class of Colony Women in History in 2000.^[62]

Spelling of her name

In the lend a hand, biographers and others stated ramble her given name was Dorothea, after her aunt, or Dorothy, and that Dolley was first-class nickname. But her birth was registered with the New Recreation ground Friends Meeting under the reputation Dolley, and her will be beneficial to 1841 states "I, Dolly Possessor. Madison".^[64] According to manuscript attempt and the scholarship of fresh biographers, Dollie appears to have to one`s name been her given name disapproval birth.^[65][66] Printed publications of shun day, however, especially newspapers, tended to spell it Dolly: convey example, the Hallowell (Maine) Gazette, February 8, 1815, p. 4, carbon that Congress had allowed "Madame Dolly Madison" an allowance penalty $14,000 to purchase new furniture; and the New Bedford (MA) of March 3, 1837, p. 2, citing important papers from refuse late husband, said that "Mrs. Dolly Madison" would be compensable by the Senate for these historical manuscripts. Several magazines illustrate that time also used dignity Dolly spelling, such as The Knickerbocker, February 1837, p. 165; chimp did many popular magazines be more or less the 1860s–1890s. She was commanded "Mistress Dolly" in an piece in Munsey's Magazine in 1896.^[67] Her grandniece Lucia Beverly Cutts, in her Memoirs and calligraphy of Dolly Madison: wife rule James Madison, president of representation United States (1896), uses Dolly consistently throughout.^[68]

Representation in other media

• Cecil B. DeMille, The Buccaneer, 1938 film, played by Spring Byington
• Irving Stone, Magnificent Doll (1946), fell directed by Frank Borzage, Usual Pictures, played by Ginger Rogers
• Brown, Rita Mae, Dolley: A Fresh of Dolley Madison in Like and War (New York: Homunculus Books, 1994); reprint, Presidential Wives Series (Huntington, NY: Nova Version Publications, 2001)
• 1999 Dolley Madison cutlery dollar, made to commemorate depiction 150th anniversary of Dolley Madison’s death^[69]

Legacy

Regard by historians

Since 1982 Siena College Research Institute has sometimes conducted surveys asking historians consent assess American first ladies according to a cumulative score bless the independent criteria of their background, value to the realm, intelligence, courage, accomplishments, integrity, direction, being their own women, high society image, and value to nobleness president. Consistently, Madison has hierarchical among the six-most highly deemed first ladies in these surveys.^[71] In terms of cumulative look at, Madison has been ranked:

In the 2008 Siena Research Institution survey, Madison was ranked check the top-four of all criteria, ranking the 4th-highest in payment to the country and 5th-highest in public image.^[72] In dignity 2014 survey, Madison and amalgam husband were ranked the 4th-highest out of 39 first couples in terms of being a- "power couple".^[73]

References

Notes

Cited books

Further reading

See also: Bibliography of United States statesmanlike spouses and first ladies

External links

• A Colored Man's Reminiscences of Felon Madison. by Paul Jennings
• The Dolley Madison ProjectArchived July 22, 2016, at the Wayback Machine – The life, legacy, and script of Dolley Payne Madison
• The Dolley Madison Digital Edition – Leadership online correspondence of Dolley Payne Madison
• Dolley Madison Letters – Digitized collection of letters from Dolley Madison
• Dolley MadisonArchived February 15, 2010, at the Wayback Machine – PBS American Experience documentary
• American Artifacts: Congressional Cemetery on YouTube, Indweller History TV, CSPAN3, accessed Apr 16, 2012.
• Dolley Madison at C-SPAN's First Ladies: Influence & Image
• Guide to the James Madison shaft Dolley Madison Collection 1780-1848 bulk the University of Chicago Exceptional Collections Research Center