Elizabeth Monroe

 

Elizabeth Monroe was married to James Monroe, the fifth President of the United States. As First Lady she couldn’t perform her official White House hostess dues because of her fragile health condition, so her eldest daughter Eliza Monroe Hay stepped in for her. Elizabeth Monroe had a very interesting life being married to James Monroe. She was only 17 years of age when she married James Monroe in her father’s home in New York City while he served as a member of the Continental Congress. Upon adjournment of Congress, the couple returned to Virginia where they lived and raised their family, until George Washington appointed James as Minister of France. While In Paris, Elizabeth found herself in the middle of the Reign of Terror. As the American Minister to France, she found herself friends with Marie Adrienne Françoise de Noailles who was married to Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, who left France in 1776 to volunteer in the American Revolutionary War where he served under General George Washington, then later became a key figure in the French Revolution of 1789. She also helped save the life of American Statesman Thomas Paine who was arrested for opposing the execution of Louis XVI.  James then found himself recalled from his Ambassadorship in 1796.

When the Monroes returned to Virginia, James Became governor and Elizabeth gained the title of First Lady of Virginia. She lost a few children during this time due to medical issues. In 1803 James again found himself being asked to the appointment of Minister to Great Britain and Spain. Although Elizabeth was a big hit in the social climate of London, she found it dull and continued resentment of Americans amongst the court. In 1804 James was sent to Paris as special envoy to negotiate the Louisiana Purchase.

In 1807 the Monroe’s returned to Virginia and James was elected to the House of Delegates and resumed his law practice. In 1811 Monroe won a term as Governor of Virginia but served only 4 months in office as he was asked to serve as Secretary of State under President Madison. Although he wasn’t the architect of the war of 1812, many outsiders of the know believed he was one of the architects of the war, however, it was Madison and the war hawks of the day that caused it to happen. While the war went on, Elizabeth stayed at either the family farm at Oak Hill in Loudoun County Virginia, or Ashlawn=Highland in Albemarle County Virginia.

As the war turned uglier, Madison turned to Monroe for help and appointed him Secretary of War (Current day position would be the Secretary of Defense) in September of 1814 after the British burned most of the buildings in Washington, D.C. Monroe resigned as Secretary of State and took up the mantle of Secretary of War, handling both offices as best he could. As Secretary of War, he produced a plan to invade Canada, but it was never implemented as a treaty was reached and the war ended in 1815. Once peace was reached Monroe resigned as Secretary of War and went back to State where he served until 1817 when eventually succeeded Madison as the fifth President of the United States.

Upon James Monroe becoming President, Elizabeth couldn’t move into the White House as it was still under construction so they lived in what is known as Octagon House which is located just behind the White House and wouldn’t be able to move into the White House until it was finished in 1817 and then again until 1825. The reconstruction of the White House would last well into Monroe’s second term in office. While Elizabeth would be considered respected and admired, she never compared to Dolley Madison as First Lady. While Dolley opened the doors of the White House to one and all, Elizabeth and her daughters kept the White House more exclusive echoing the practices of the French Court. General Andrew Jackson was impressed by Elizabeth and her daughters he was saddened by her continued illnesses. Elizabeth was known to have hosted General Lafayette during their time in the White House. Unfortunately, Elizabeth’s frail continence prevented her from being the First Lady Hostess she wanted to be, but her daughters were happy to step in for her.  Unfortunately, Mrs. Monroe’s correspondence was destroyed by President Monroe and their eldest daughter Elizabeth, so her thoughts and concerns were lost  to history upon her death.  Mrs. Monroe died at Oak Hill in 1830 and the President died a year later. Both were interred at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.  Unfortunately, their beautiful home in Albemarle County called Highland Plantation had to be sold to pay off debts incurred while servicing in public office.

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.