Dolly Madison First Lady

Dolley Madison, wife of President James Madison, the fourth President of the United States was born in Guilford County North Carolina an died in Washington, DC. As First Lady, Mrs. Madison was a plain woman of Quaker background who was kind, charming, warm, and filled with ingenuity. She was a strong manager of the White House that created the basis to all future First Ladies to follow.

Many don’t know that Dolley was previously married before marrying James Madison. She was married to John Todd and the couple had two children. Unfortunately, John Todd and their youngest son both died of yellow fever causing Dolley to become a widow at the age of 25 in 1793.  While in Philadelphia Dolley was introduced to James Madison by Aaron Burr. James Madison was 17 years Dolley’s senior, but they had an immediate attraction to each other and in 1794 they were married in Virginia.  Madison wasn’t a Quaker therefore, Dolley’s family disowned her. Once married the couple, along with Dolley’s son, moved to Philadelphia where James served as a member of the New House of Representatives. When John Adams was the President, the Madisons lived at Montpellier in Virginia. After Jefferson was elected, they moved to Washington, DC where Madison served as Secretary of State. Dolley helped Jefferson by being his hostess for official events.

Dolley was the first Presidential wife to live in the White House. Dolley set the precedent for future First Ladies, along with setting the tradition that the mansion would reflect the First Lady’s tastes and ideas about entertainment. With the help of Benjamin Latrobe who was an architect and surveyor of public buildings, together they decorated and furnished the building beautifully. Unfortunately, many never got to see their work because the British had decided to burn the building down. However, Dolley was able to save many pieces that she had placed in storage nearby, plus the famous painting of George Washington that was painted by Gilbert Stuart that hangs in the East Room today. She was an astute woman who when she heard he British were in Maryland, she knew they’d march toward Washington, DC, and cause havoc and she was right. This is why she instructed those who worked in the White House to stop everything and begin saving what they could and have it stored at the Marine Corps Barracks down the road. She stayed at the Marine Corps Commandant’s home while the British attacked, plundered, and destroyed many a building in the city, including the new Mansion for the President of the United States, although they stopped to eat the food Dolley had the kitchens prepare for a dinner party she was to host that night.

She spearheaded the new construction of the rebuilt White House and began opening the doors to all who came to her door for the weekly receptions. She mingled with all the guests, hearing their suggestions and problems and suggesting ways to remedy their situations. If it was a government issue, she offered to talk to her husband about it and she did. She was a shrewd individual when it came to political matters, and she cultivated his enemies as if they were best friends. When Madison fired his Secretary of State Robert Smith, she invited him to dinner. When he failed to reply she kept inviting me and when he failed to reply, she went to his home to no avail. So, she did what any good socialite lady would do, she used her social list to invite all that was required to embarrass him into attending a dinner party.  She not only won his favor she also was able to create the power to help Madison gain a second term. Although he gained a second term, many felt Madison had brought them into the War of 1812, however, that wasn’t the case.

After the election, she decided to visit the new Congressman and Senators elected. This was a task that was time-consuming, but very useful. Many brought their families with them to Washington DC and they were open to a visit from the President’s wife. Unfortunately, her successors felt it was too much of a burden and stopped it. Her son John Payne Todd was a gambler and reckless individual who always relied on his mother to cover his debts. She did so and without a doubt, he had depleted her entire purse to the point that when James Madison died, she found herself in dire need of funds and had to sell his papers to Congress for $30,000. Again, her son cleaned out her purse and as she went to New York to secure a loan from John Jacob Aster, Congress came to her aid and purchased the remaining papers of James Madison, but due to John Todd’s history they placed the funds into a Trust rather than just pay her outright. This secured the funds in such a way that John Todd couldn’t touch the money or have access to it.

In 1849, Dolley died and was the most popular in Washington DC. President Taylor his cabinet the diplomatic corps and members of Congress attended and line up to pay their respects. She was buried alongside James Madison in the family plot at Montpelier.

Artist and Author Elizabeth Kilbride is a former political operative, author, scriptwriter, historian, and journalist. business professional, creative artist, and life coach consultant. Ms. Kilbride holds a master’s in criminology and a BS in Business Management she stepped out of the loop for a while but is now back with a powerful opinion and voice in the direction of this country and our economy. As a life coach, she is available to counsel individuals to enjoy their dreams and a better life. Ms. Kilbride loves to travel and photograph her surroundings and is also a gourmet cook who loves to garden and preserve food for the winter months.