Dolley Madison was raised on a plantation with her family of nine in New Garden, North Carolina. She had seven siblings and her parents, John Payne, Jr. and Mary Cole Payne.1 After she reached the age of fifteen, her father sold their plantation because he did not believe in slavery. With the money he had accumulated over the years, he left the countryside to start a business in Philadelphia.2 Dolley Madison’s father slowly began to lose his business. He was not a very good business man. After losing his business in 1789, Dolley’s mother began to rent out rooms of their house to other people.3
Dolley was known for being a very beautiful woman. Many men lined up to ask her to marry. It was not until she was twenty-one years old that she met her first husband, John Todd.4 Within a year, the two were married and within three, they had two sons. Unfortunately, John Todd and Dolley’s youngest son were killed when an epidemic of yellow fever arrived. This unfortunate event left Dolley Todd alone with her oldest child.5
After losing her husband, Dolley did not stay a widow for long. A man she had met when she was nineteen years old at the Constitutional Convention began to woe her. James Madison was one of her many fans who had tried to court Dolley many years prior.6 The odd thing was that James Madison was not exactly the kind of man that women found attractive. He lacked many attributes that women usually found admirable. He could not dance or ride a horse, and he was seventeen years older than Dolley.7 These factors did not sway Dolley’s opinion of the “Father of the Constitution,” and she agreed to marry him. Later in their marriage, she converted to Episcopalian and abandoned her Quaker affiliation.8 After this discovery by her family, she was quickly disowned and left with only her son and her new husband, James Madison.
James Madison served as the Secretary of State under Thomas Jefferson for his two terms. While under his presidency, Dolley Madison was asked by Jefferson to be in charge of the social affairs of the White House.9 She was given this position because she seemed to have loved everyone she met and treated everyone equally with care. When Jefferson decided not to run for a third term, he decided that there would be no better fit for president than the “Father of the Constitution,” James Madison.10 Dolley Madison was seen as one of the best first ladies of all time. She was constantly recognized for the way she upheld herself and was loved by everyone. She was even sometimes called “Queen Dolley.”11
During James Madison’s first term in office, he faced a war with England in the War of 1812.12 In the year 1814, the British marched into Washington D.C. and toward the White House, where Dolley and James Madison were staying. As Dolley saw the British approaching, she ignored all the people in the White House who were telling her that she needed to leave. Instead, she began to load all the valuables from the White House, such as fine china, important documents, and the famous portrait of George Washington by the artist Gilbert Stuart.13 After loading as much as she could, she then left the White House. When Dolley Madison saved that painting and all the artifacts, she did not know she was leaving her mark on history. She changed the way the White House social affairs were held and saved one of the most valuable paintings in the United States. She was a very determined woman that left an impact on everyone and everything she came in contact with.
- Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2014, s.v. “Dolly Madison.” ↵
- Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2014, s.v. “Dolly Madison.” ↵
- Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2014, s.v. “Dolly Madison.” ↵
- Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2014, s.v. “Dolly Madison.” ↵
- Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2014, s.v. “Dolly Madison.” ↵
- Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2014, s.v. “Dolly Madison.” ↵
- Salem Press Biographical, 2016, s.v. “Dolley Madison,” by Robert P. Watson. ↵
- Salem Press Biographical, 2016, s.v. “Dolley Madison,” by Robert P. Watson. ↵
- Salem Press Biographical, 2016, s.v. “Dolley Madison,” by Robert P. Watson. ↵
- Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2014, s.v. “Dolly Madison.” ↵
- Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2014, s.v. “Dolly Madison.” ↵
- Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2014, s.v. “Dolly Madison.” ↵
- Salem Press Biographical, 2016, s.v. “Dolley Madison,” by Robert P. Watson. ↵
54 comments
Emily Jensen
A very interesting read. I had some previous knowledge on who Dolley Madison was as well as how she saved many valuables from the White House during the fire of 1814. I didn’t know that her family disowned her after her conversion to Episcopalian faith. While the article was very informative, I would have liked for it to have been a bit longer. Overall a well told story!
Gabriela Ochoa
This was an interesting article. It gave facts about her that many people didn’t know. I didn’t know much about her until this article. I found it interesting that she was so concerned with the Constitution at that time. Many women were either uninterested or keep their interest a secret. I also found it interesting that she changed her religion after marrying him. The fact that her main concern during the attack was not herself and her safely but to get artifacts and paintings is admirable because she knew what those things meant to the country.
Didier Cadena
This is a very interesting article. I did not know much about who Dolley Madison was, so it was nice to be able to read a little bit about her. What she was able to do while the British were marching on the White House is extremely brave, to try and salvage as much as she could is truly a great thing. The article does a great job of setting all of the information up and make it fun to read.
Honoka Sasahara
I think that she was a beautiful strong woman who had no hesitation to change something or leave somewhere when she felt it’s not fit her. That would be succeeded from her father who could sell their plantation following his feeling that “it is not right”. I think it is so important skill because we have to change the situation sometimes even though we know it would be hard for us.
Tyanne Pearcy
I have never heard of Dolly Madison until today and the fact that she was married to one of the united state presidents James Madison. What shocked me is that Thomas Jefferson gave her opportunity to be involved in the process by putting her in charge of social affairs. I loved how her loving personality made her one of the best first ladies. Dolly Madison seemed to be born for the first lady position and I’m sure she inspired many other woman and first ladies after her.
Marina Castro
Reading the story behind such a powerful figure like Dolly is very inspiring. During those times, women were not allowed to have an important role. Nonetheless, with the little power Dolly had, she was able to create a great impact. I’m sure that if she had been able to run for president herself, she would’ve done great things because of her visionary mind.
Clarissa Gonzalez
As the other commenters have mentioned, I have also never heard of Dolley Madison prior to this article. She was someone who was definitely raised differently, seeing as her father didn’t support slavery. I enjoy that she did something in a time where she truly didn’t. She was a smart women and the things she did were amazing.
Luis Magana
I was unaware of who Dolly Madison was until this moment. In history women have always been overlooked or seen as less, but women are just as smart, strong and fearless as men. She stood her ground and did what she believed was right in saving those artifacts. Women should be more recognized for the things they have done because men and women have played big parts in achieving everything we have today.
Annissa Noblejas
Dolley Madison certain holds a place in history for her courageous efforts in saving White House valuables during the British invasion, to include the famous painting of George Washington. I admire her on a personal level for converting to a religion that she more closely identified with, despite the fact that her Quaker parents and siblings cut off contact because of it.
Luisa Ortiz
The more I read this type of articles the more I’m amazed by women fearless acts, their activism, etc., I’m so glad that there is a space where women all over the world and different eras are recognized and admired for their action and their smart contributions on whatever topic. I only wish more people had access to this articles!