Dolley Payne Todd Madison: Importance as the First Lady

Early Years

Zachary Taylor, the twelfth president of the United States, mournfully stated "She will never be forgotten because she was truly our First Lady for a half-century," at the funeral of Dolley Payne Todd Madison on July 12, 1849. When Dolley first emerged onto the social scene, her charm, courage, and compassion awarded her a place in the hearts of all who met her. As the wife of the fourth president, she captured the affection and admiration of her husband's friends and foes alike. While making the position an integral part of the presidency, she created an ideal for future First Ladies with her innovative ideas and magnetic demeanor. With an eternal devotion to her country, its people, and her obligations she truly was "Queen Dolley."¹

Dolley Payne was born on May 20, 1768, in Guildford County, North Carolina. Her mother, Mary Coles was a descendent of Isaac Winston who was an early Quaker settler in Virginia and also the grandfather of the illustrious Patrick Henry. In addition, Isaac Winston was a descendent of William Coles an immigrant from Wexford, Ireland. Dolley Payne's father, John Payne, did not have such distinguished ancestral ties and came from an Anglican family of reasonable success. Though her parents were married in 1761 outside the Quaker faith, her father later applied and was accepted into the Quaker Monthly Meetings in Hanover County, Virginia.²

In 1765, the Paynes moved to Rowan County, North Carolina, therefore though Dolley spent most of her life in Virginia and considered herself a Virginian she was born in North Carolina. Dolley was the oldest girl in a family of eight children, four boys (Walter, William Temple, Isaac, and John) and four girls (Dolley, Lucy, Anna, and Mary).³ There are often many conflicts over the original name of Dolley, many say her first name was Dorothea or Dorothy but she was registered at birth as "Dolley" by the Quaker New Garden Monthly Meeting and kept that name for the rest of her life. When she was only eleven months the family moved back to their familial plantation of Coles Hill in rural Hanover County. Then at the age of seven they moved once again to a plantation of their own named Scotchtown. This was indeed the former home of her mother's relative Patrick Henry, and it was said to be large and suitable for the grand family.⁴

Dolley was considered a woman with a superior education; as a child she had a tutor at her plantation who instructed her in rudimentary reading, writing, and arithmetic. Unlike other girls of her age Dolley was able to further her education by gaining more advanced schooling in coed classes offered at the Quaker Meeting House at Cedar Creek. During this time Dolley also learned the essential skills of a housewife. Oval-faced and fair with black hair, sky-blue eyes, and a tilted nose, she would often take care of the slaves, prepare the food, and receive the guests, as a proper Virginian housewife was expected.⁵

As a child of a strict Quaker family, in addition to learning the abilities of a hostess Dolley was required to behave modestly, and avoid anything grandiose. Dolley, however, did not wholly conform given that she still had a certain affinity to fine foods and clothes. This passion was fundamentally due to her grandmother, an Anglican, who taught her about such luxuries. Later in life Dolley exclaimed that her grandmother had been the single most influential person in her life.⁶

In 1783, when Dolley reached the age of 15, post-war depression had caused her father to abandon farming and pursue manufacturing laundry starch in Philadelphia. Therefore, after emancipating all of his slaves the family moved to the capital city. ⁷ After six years of continual ruin, her father was so deep in debt that he was dismissed from the Quaker community. Then in 1785, John Payne's oldest son, twenty-one year old Walter, was taken by the yellow fever.⁸ These mounting grievances caused him to eventually go into depression and die a broken man on October, 24, 1792. Dolley's mother initially supported her family by opening a boardinghouse; however in 1793 she retired and moved in with her two youngest children, Mary and John.⁹

When in Philadelphia, a young twenty-one year old Dolley fell in love with her first husband and on January 7, 1790, married John Todd Jr., a young Quaker lawyer who provided her with much needed financial security. Together they had two sons, John Payne born on February 29, 1792, and William Temple born in the summer of 1793.

About the time of William Temple's birth disaster struck in the form of the dreaded yellow fever epidemic. John Todd, concerned for his family's health, immediately sent his wife and sons to a refuge called Gray's Ferry on the outskirts of Philadelphia. John Todd, however, felt duty-bound to return and care for his parents who eventually succumbed to the deadly illness. On October 24, 1793, the ailing John Todd gathered the remains of his strength to manage a final visit to his family. As Dolley's mother Mary opened the door he whispered, "I feel the fever in my veins, but I must see her once more" before dying in his wife's arms. That same week, Dolley's young son, merely two-months old, submitted to the fatal sickness.¹⁰

Dolley Todd was stricken, in one week she had lost her husband, her in-laws, and her son. After recovering from the initial shock, twenty-five year old Dolley returned to Philadelphia to embark upon a new beginning. In May 1794, the young and attractive Dolley had already caught the eye of the eminent James Madison. Madison, already on his way to becoming the leader of the emerging Republican Party, had previously played an immense role in the framing of the Constitution and the Bill of rights, and had now been elected for House of Representatives on behalf of the state of Virginia. The forty-three year old Madison has asked his friend Aaron Burr, a boarder Dolley had once known, to introduce him to Dolley Todd. Preceding their meeting Dolley had written to her friend Eliza Collins exclaiming, "Aaron Burr says that the great little Madison has asked to be brought to see me this evening."

During the summer of 1794 Madison courted Dolley Todd; however she still had her doubts about marriage. Despite her fears the couple, though quite different from each other, were a fitting match. Madison, despite being charming among friends, was often reclusive among the public and had no children of his own. Dolley was able to compensate for this by her own effervescing personality, and her first son John Todd.¹¹ In truth Madison had already fallen prey to her charms in their initial meetings, and pressed his suits hard. According to a letter written by her cousin Catherine Coles on June 1, 1794, he had fallen fervently in love with the young widow:

[Madison] told me I might say what I pleas'd to you about him to begin, he thinks to much of you in the day that he has Lost his Tongue, at Night he Dreames of you & Starts in his Sleep a Calling on you to relieve his Flame for he Burns to such an excess that he will be shortly consumed & he hopes that your Heart will be callous to every other swain but himself. ¹²

Although Dolley may have had her misgivings other notable figures, such as Thomas Jefferson, felt that they were ideal for each other. George Washington and Martha Washington even decided to play matchmaker for the new couple. One day while Dolley was calling on Mrs. Washington, the President had entered and began talking about the integrity and esteem of his good friend Madison. He even stated that the distinguished man had a promising future and his wife should deem herself the most privileged woman on earth. Later Martha also made her own "Private Address" to the young Mrs. Todd and advised her that Mr. Madison would make an admirable husband:

Dolley, is it true that you are engaged to James Madison?...If it is so do not be ashamed to confess it; rather be proud; he will make thee a good husband, and all the better for being so much older. We both approve of it; the esteem and friendship existing between Mr. Madison and my husband is very great, and we would wish thee to be happy.¹³

In the end Dolley yielded to her reservations and only four months after their initial meeting, Dolley Todd and James Madison were married. The nuptials occurred on September 15, 1794 at her sister Lucy's estate in Harewood, Virginia. On her wedding day, Dolley wrote to her friend Eliza Collins and revealed, "In the course of this day I give my hand to the Man of all other's I most admire."¹⁴

Dolley's joyous matrimony, however, was marred by the fact that she was disowned by her Pine Street Meeting House. The Quakers felt that because she was married before a "hireling priest" and to a non-Quaker she did warrant to be accepted in their meeting house any longer. Therefore, Dolley began to embrace her childhood love of extravagance, and progressively replaced Quaker simplicity with the more fashionable gowns of the French. As she began to adjust to her new life with Mr. Madison, Dolley Madison moved onto the national platform as the wife of a leader of the escalating Republican Party.¹⁵

Chapter Two:

Marriage Life

After Dolley's marriage to Mr. Madison, she made him and his political career the center of her life. Though she was not interested in politics, and stated that it was a "man's business" she was still an ardent observer of the current issues facing her country. Mrs. Madison was always very familiar with all her husband's policies, and supported him wholeheartedly in his political positions. Throughout her marriage, Dolley's social and political involvement coupled with her cordial personality benefited her husband in numerous ways by winning him many supporters.¹⁶ She was such an important asset to her husband that Charles Pinckney, an unsuccessful political opponent of Madison in 1808 complained that, "I might have had a better chance if I faced Mr. Madison alone."¹⁷

After Dolley's wedding in 1794, the Madisons continued to live in Philadelphia for the next three years, in a large brick house. This formidable home housed the newlywed couple in addition to Dolley's four-year-old son, John Payne Todd and also her younger sister Anna, who had lived with her since her first marriage, and become like a daughter. During their time in Philadelphia, Dolley's home became a whirlwind of social life and fashion, however amidst this gaiety Mrs. Madison was struck with the shock of the death of her two brothers, William and Isaac in 1795.

Two years later, after Mr. Madison retired from the House of Representatives, he and his wife retired to Montpellier, the family estate of 5,000 acres in Orange County, Virginia, where they expected to remain as planters.¹⁸ During their time at Montpellier, Madison Jr. shared the four rooms with Madison Sr. until his death in 1801. After his father's death, the younger Madison added a wing for the widow, until her death in 1829.

Mrs. Madison's time at Montpellier allowed her to gain practice in the toils that came with running a large house. She was in charge of furnishing the home, entertaining the visitors, and making certain that they lived well and within their means. In addition to being attentive towards the housework, she was also a dutiful wife towards James Madison. Dolley Madison vigilantly took care of Mr. Madison's rheumatic fever, and reoccurring malaria. Furthermore, during their whole marriage she only left his side, for more than a few nights, once when one summer she had to get her abscessed knee checked in Philadelphia.¹⁹

In 1801, the Madisons, moved to Washington, after their neighbor Thomas Jefferson had been elected president. James Madison, the newly appointed Secretary of State, and Dolley Madison, lived in the White House until they found their own home at 1333 F Street. One socialite commented that Dolley "remained practically on call for the President's dinner parties whenever they included women guests." Dolley Madison took on the role as First Lady during widower Jefferson's term which helped prepared her for the enormous task to come.²⁰

Eight years later when his two terms of presidency expired, Jefferson retired to his Monticello home. In 1809, James Madison took the office with Dolley Madison as his First Lady. That year, Dolley hosted the first large-scale presidential inaugural ball, and in doing so began her life-long reputation as being one of the most beloved First Ladies in history.²¹

One of Dolley's most notable qualities was her amazing skill for hostessing which allowed her to create ceremonies appropriate for the new republic. Though the setting of Washington was barren with only a few brick houses she was able to create a "society" within the new capital. Her dinner parties were praised and continued on a semi-weekly basis. In a republic the reasoning was that the president should be available to anyone who wished to see him. This procedure would cause Madison to receive constant interruptions; therefore Dolley took over the hostessing and reverted to scheduling large events. At dinners she would put herself at the head of the table, Mr. Madison's Secretary, Edward Coles, at the foot and Mr. Madison himself in the middle, so he was able to speak to everybody at the table. Mrs. Madison was also careful to invite a large range of people, which often included numerous writers and artisans because of her respect for talent.²²

Dolley's parties were so renowned that not even a U.S. General could stay away. In 1812 when General Henry Harrison visited the White House after he defeated a British contingent near Detroit²³, Mr. Madison ordered him to return to his post. Later that evening Dolley stated that he would be at her party, however Madison laughed and retorted that the General should have been thirty or forty miles away by now. Dolley answered, "I laid my command on him and he is too gallant a man to disobey me. We shall soon see whose orders he obeys." Sure enough, Harrison was at Dolley's party that night.²⁴

As First Lady, Dolley's daily schedule was quite demanding. In the morning she donned a plain, gray dress and supervised the food preparation, cleaning, laundry, and other household needs. She often did her own shopping sometimes accompanied by one of her sisters. Finally after the morning chores had been accomplished she dressed in fine clothes and went into the sitting rooms to attend the ceaseless rounds of company. Dolley's careful attention and loving management of the White House caused it to become the social center of Washington.²⁵

One of the first major jobs that she undertook as First Lady was the refurnishing of the White House. In order to gain political and financial support for her project, Dolley invited the members of Congress to see the wretched state of the White House. Her wise tactic provided her with the necessary capital and she began her venture by enlisting the help of the famous architect, Benjamin H. Latrobe. ²⁶ During Jefferson's term, he had brought pieces from his Monticello home, but after his tenure had finished the furniture was shipped back to his estate, therefore, Dolley was faced with a large, unfurnished mansion that needed redecorating.²⁷

Mrs. Madison decided to blend European style with homely American comfort, and rapidly set to work even before the president-elect had been inaugurated. Together, Dolley and Latrobe started with the dining room for large state dinners, the parlor, and then the Oval office. This major feat had to be done both quickly and efficiently with the meager budget they were allotted. Dolley's major accomplishment lay in her ability to create a national symbol that represented the middle ground between Republican minimalism, and Federalist fashion.²⁸

The Madison's, however, were not able enjoy their comfortable, new quarters for very long. On August 24, 1814, the British invaded Washington and burned down the White House.²⁹ The war had been going on for more than two years, and the town was already filled with rumors of a coming invasion. On August 17, a British fleet landed thirty-five miles away from the capital, and slowly headed for the White House. Many residents began to doubt their destination because of their slow procession, but by August 22 their destination was apparent. Mr. Madison left to review the troops and wrote to his wife advising her that she "should be ready at a moment's warning...It might happen that they would reach the city with intention to destroy it."³⁰ By August 24, Madison was still away and as Dolley prepared to evacuate she wrote a letter to her sister, Lucy Washington:

My husband left me yesterday morning to join Gen. Winder. He enquired uneasily whether I had courage, or firmness to remain in the President's house until his return...and on my assurance that I had no fear but for him and the success of our army, he left me, beseeching me to take care of myself...I am accordingly ready; I have pressed as many cabinet papers into trunks as to fill one carriage...I am determined not to go myself until I see Mr. Madison safe, and he can accompany me.

By three o'clock a small skirmish had taken place by the White House and Mrs. Madison was finally persuaded to depart by a kind friend, Mr. Carroll. However, before leaving she was insistent on retrieving the large picture of General George Washington, probably one of her most remembered deeds. Finally, in the last words of her letter Dolley wrote, "When I shall again write you, or where I shall be tomorrow, I cannot tell!!"³¹ Dolley briefly met up with her husband at Falls Church, Virginia, however Mr. Madison did not return to Washington until August 27, where he found Dolley waiting for him. When the First Lady had first returned to Washington she was greeted by crowds of cheering people as she exclaimed, "We shall rebuild Washington, the enemy cannot frighten a free people!"³²

Dolley's heroics portrayed her courage and patriotism in the face of the enemy. Mrs. Madison's composure allowed her to save several important papers and artifacts as she stated in her letter to Mary Latrobe on December 3, 1814:

On that very day I sent out the silver (nearly all) and velvet curtains and General Washington's picture, the Cabinet Papers, a few books, and the small clock - left everything else...I confess that I was so unfeminine as to be free from fear, and willing to remain in the Castle! if I could have had a cannon through every window; but alas! those who should have placed them there fled before me, and my whole heart mourned for my country!³³

After the British had torched the White House, the Madisons initially moved into the Octagon House, the second largest residence in Washington. In August 1815, they moved once again, this time to a corner house at 19^th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. In an effort to show that the attack did not hurt the country, Dolley continued to entertain successfully until Madison left the office and they were able to return to Montpelier in March 1817. When Madison's presidency came to a close Georgetown held a farewell ball in honor of Dolley and even the conservative press praised her efforts as First Lady. Afterwards, the Madisons finally settled into their much awaited retirement.

Montpellier was the ideal retirement home, consisting of a large estate with beautiful scenery, a library of over 900 books, and a collection of fine arts from all over the world.³⁴ As Dolley's good friend Eliza Lee said when she retired, "Talents such as yours were never intended to remain inactive." Indeed she was correct because even in retirement Dolley continued to entertain on a large scale, and impressed visitors with her vivacity and life. In 1824 when the Marquis de Lafayette visited her, he commented that "Nowhere have I encountered a lady who is lovelier or more steadfast."³⁵

Nevertheless, Montpellier was not the ideal that one could have imagined. As James's health began to decline Dolley also encountered problems with her son John Payne Todd. When the Madison's had retired they had collected a sizable amount of assets, however their money was becoming increasingly short in supply. Their ultimate source of financial ruin was indeed Dolley's son. After traveling to Europe and being treated like royalty, Todd never settled into the role of a planter and continued to drift from New York to Philadelphia. He would drink, gamble, and pile debt after debt, while the Madisons continued to pay his mounting sums. James Madisons even shipped $20,000 quietly so Dolley wouldn't be upset. Together, Todd cost them approximately $40,000 in those years. Despite their labors, young Todd still went to debtor's prison in 1830 and Madison had to sell off his land in Kentucky and mortgage half of his Montpellier estate. Although Edward Coles described Todd as the "serpent in the garden of Eden" Dolley still loved her son and missed him.³⁶

During his retirement, in an effort to create a fund for Dolley, Madison began to organize his papers. They hoped that Congress would buy Madison's records of the Federal Convention of 1787 at least, and that a publisher would print the remainder of the papers. Before this could be carried out, however, James died at breakfast on June 28, 1836 at the age of eighty-five. The distraught widow took to the bed for the next six months, and the nation mourned the loss of the fourth President of the United States.³⁷ In a letter that she wrote to her dear friend, Eliza Lee on July 26, 1836, Dolley states:

Indeed I have been as one in a troubled dream since my irreparable loss of him, for whom my affection was perfect, as was his character and conduct thro' life - the remembrance of this arouses me at times, to a sense of what I owe to his wishes-that I should be calm, and strive to live long after him-that I should proceed to fulfil the trust he reposed in me.³⁸

Chapter Three:

Widowhood

Mrs. Madison lived at Montpellier for the whole of the next year, and her niece Anna Payne came to reside with her as her constant companion. She spent the time finishing copying her husband's papers and moved forward with the sale of the Madison Papers. President Andrew Jackson recommended that the government acquire the manuscript and Congress paid $30,000 for the records.

In 1837, Dolley departed to Washington, and assumed residence in Lafayette Square. The widow, now approaching seventy, adopted her old life as the "doyenne" of the capital and soon began entertaining once more.³⁹ As always her door was open to all visitors, some who included John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and Mrs. Alexander Hamilton. Dolley also helped the future first ladies who sought her advice, such as Angelica Van Buren, and Priscilla Cooper Taylor, both daughter-in-laws of the president.⁴⁰

While Dolley was in Washington, Payne Todd was in charge of managing the family estate but instead of watching over it, the manor was rapidly deteriorating. Montpellier was steadily declining while he drank, and slept the days away. Dolley was then left with the debts that he incurred, and as a result had to mortgage her house in Washington. She continued to sell the remaining papers, but because of her sons blunders while negotiating with the publishers they all turned her down. In 1843, with a saddened heart Dolley Madison was forced to sell off part of the Montpellier estate. The following year after learning that Madison's brother had sued her for $20,000, she sold the whole of the estate.⁴¹

While in Washington, though Dolley was destitute, she continued to keep up her appearances as a respected lady. Few officials ever visited the White House without first calling on the elderly widow. From President Martin Van Buren to James Buchanan, she was a constant visitor and advisor. After her cousin Angelica Singleton wed Van Buren's son and acted as First Lady, Dolley became a frequent feature at the White House.

Dolley still rode in her old-fashioned chariot, and remained a model of graciousness even in her poverty. With her niece, she presided over Washington as dowager First Lady. As she grew older, her poverty also became more apparent and she would wear basic black to hide the shabbiness of her gowns. Friends declined her wine, knowing that her cellar was empty, and her old slave Paul Jennings, now free, would often bring baskets of food and sums of money.⁴²

In her last years Dolley Madison was on the scene for some historic occasions. For instance she was present when Samuel F. Morse demonstrated the electric telegraph and after the famous message "What hath God wrought" could be heard, Morse turned to Dolley for a return message and she supplied "Message from Mrs. Madison. She sends her love to Mrs. Wethered." In addition she was on board the U.S.S Princeton on February 28, 1844⁴³, however one of the most famous occasion that she attended, was on July 4, 1848 when the cornerstone for the Washington Monument was laid.

Finally on March 4, 1849, when President James K. Polk retired from presidency, he scheduled one final reception for March 7. This event was the last time that Dolley Madison would ever grace the halls of a Washington affair. Although she was more than eighty years old on the occasion, she was reported to be as energetic as ever. The president described the occasion in his diary and commented, "Towards the close of the evening I passed through the crowded rooms with the venerable Mrs. Madison on my arm."⁴⁴

In July 1849, Dolley Madison fell fatally ill and lingered for five days in bed with Annie Payne as her constant companion. Then just two days after dictating her will⁴⁵ on Thursday July 12^th 1849, Mrs. Madison passed away at the age of eighty-two, between 10 and 11 o'clock. The loss was felt by all, as the National Intelligencer stated:

Beloved by all who personally knew her, and universally respected, this venerable Lady closed her long and well-spent life with the calm resignation which goodness of heart combined with piety can impart...Wherever she appeared; every one became conscious of the presence of the spirit of benignity and gentleness, united by the attributes of feminine loveliness...All of our country need no Eulogy to inspire a deep and sincere regret when they learn the demise of one who touched all hearts by her goodness and won the admiration of all by the charms of dignity and grace. ⁴⁶

Her funeral was held on July 17^th at the St. John's Church at 4 o'clock. Reverend Mr. Pyne delivered a heartfelt Eulogy and the grand congregation including the President, the Cabinet Officers, gentlemen of the Army and Navy, the Mayor, City Councils, and many distinguished citizens then advanced from the Church to the Congress Cemetery where Mrs. Madison remained until they moved her to her final resting place at Montpellier.⁴⁷

Though Dolley Madison has departed, her legacy still lives on. She was the first presidential wife to embrace the position and helped create precedents by being the first to renovate the White House, supervise an inaugural ball, and make hostessing a feature within the position. Dolley even received an honorary seat in the House of Representatives by unanimous vote of the body, the only woman to have won this honor.⁴⁸ In her letter to the House of Representatives on January 9, 1844 she thanked them by saying, "Permit me to thank you gentlemen...for the great gratification you have conferred upon me this day...I shall be ever proud to recollect it."⁴⁹

Dolley's nontraditional ideas allowed her to aid her husband, while still managing to play the "proper" woman in public life. Counting two terms as Jefferson's hostess and two terms as Madison's counterpart, Dolley reigned as the First Lady for sixteen years. She fused the ideas of Martha Washington with the concerns of Abigail Adams to create a First Lady who cared for the people. As Daniel Weber stated she was the "only permanent power in Washington" and had been acquainted with every president from George Washington to Zachary Taylor. Therefore, Dolley Payne Todd Madison was not only the docile First Lady who served ice cream in the White House, but the last living icon of the Founding Fathers.⁵⁰

BIBLIOGRAPHY

PRIMARY SOURCES

Madison, Dolley. "1768-1801." Edited by David B. Mattern and Holley C. Shulman. The Selected Letters of Dolley Payne Madison. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2003.

. "1809-1817." Edited by David B. Mattern and Holley C. Shulman. The Selected Letters of Dolley Payne Madison. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2003.

. "1836-1849." Edited by David B. Mattern and Holley C. Shulman. The Selected Letters of Dolley Payne Madison. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2003.

. "Madison to Latrobe." Edited by Katherine Anthony. Dolly Madison: Her Life and Times. New York: Doubleday and Company, 1949.

SECONDARY SOURCES

Boller, Paul F. Jr. Presidential Wives: An Anecdotal History. New York: Oxford University Press, 1988.

Commire, Anne, ed. Women in World History: A Biographical Encyclopedia, vol. 10. New York: Yorkin Publications, 2001. S.v. "Madison, Dolley Payne," by Robert Bolt.

Gould, Lewis L., ed. American First Ladies: Their Lives and Their Legacy, 2^nd ed. New York: Routledge, 2001. S.v. "Dolley Payne Todd Madison," by Holly Cowan Shulman.

Watson, Robert P. ed. First Ladies of the United States: A Biographical Dictionary. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2001. S.v. "Dolley Payne Todd Madison."

. American First Ladies. Hackensack, NY: Salem Press, Inc., 2002. S.v. "Dolley Madison."

PERIODICALS

Clancy, Jane. "Dolley Madison: A Gift for Goodwill." Colonial Homes, December (2000): 26-27

Gales, Joseph and William Winston Seaton, eds. "Death of the Late Mrs. Madison." National Intelligencer 14 July (1849), 1

"Funeral of the Late Mrs. Madison." National Intelligencer 16 July (1849), 1