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
Belene Cuellar
In many of my history classes we learn about James Madison and his presidency, but never have I read anything about his wife Dolley Madison. I found this Article to be quite informative and interesting especially Dolley’s life and how she came to know James Madison. Her story is quite sad, but the fact that she was able to overcome her obstacles and become a beloved first lady is inspiring. The author did a good job in providing background information about Dolley to better understand her and her life,
Evelin Joseph
I found this article really inspiring. I had never heard of Dolley Madison before, even though she was one of the United States’ first ladies. Through all her struggles, such as losing her children, losing her first husband, and even being disowned by her family, we get to see Dolley Madison’s true strength. We get to see the great courage residing in her that allowed her save the important artifacts left in the white house, even when she was in danger.
Veronica Spryszynski
Before I knew James Madison had a wife but I didn’t image anything like Dolley. Based on what I read I can describe her as fearless and that she is a person who takes any opportunity she sees. I wonder if woman back in that time period had the custom to be married to someone and couldn’t be without a man so that lead her to marry James so quickly even though he wasn’t appealing. Dolley’s greatest decision was saving all those documents and the portrait at a time of danger.
Abigale Carney
This was a very interesting article! It is strange that Dolly was 17 years younger than James! It is very sad that Dolly’s first husband and child died of yellow fever, being a widow in that time period must have been awful. Being on her own must have made her into a strong woman! I love hearing the story on how Dolly saved the painting of George Washington during the War of 1812, I love reading stories where women have a great effect of American history.
Megan Barnett
Altogether this article includes a nice summary on Dolly Madison’s life along with some of James Madison’s. However, the main point of the story does not seem to arise until the last paragraph not allowing time for much detail to be given on it. I say this in assuming that the title is based off the story the author wants to share, which is what Dolly’s importance to history is at all. In other words I think more emphasis should be given on the event that made Dolly known rather than so much on her life beforehand.
Samman Tyata
Honestly, I found the article really interesting and inspiring. Well, I kind of liked the generous behavior of Thomas Jefferson as he asked Dolley to be in charge of the social affairs of the White House. It’s amazing that she was able to load some of the most valuable things we see today. Though people were telling her to leave, she kept on going which proves that she is very responsible and brave.
Cherice Leach
How interesting! I have honestly never heard of Dolley Madison until reading this article. It’s interesting to know that she was James Madison’s wife and ended up becoming a First Lady. Who would think a beautiful, ordinary woman like Dolley Madison would end up being one of the most remarkable First Ladies our country could have known. I mean she saved the painting of our first ever president, how could she get more important?!
Rebekah Esquivel
When I first saw this article I did not know who Dolley Madison was. After reading the first couple paragraphs I was interested in learning more. I was surprised to read that it was actually James Madison’s wife. Most people usually pay attention to the president but not many focus in on the wife. However, having a wife like this was worth the research. After reading this article I now know about one of the best first ladies this country has ever had. She was very strong and determined and left an impact on the nation by saving those famous paintings and artifacts. This was definitely worth the read and a very great article.
Amber Aragon Alvarado
Opening the article I had no idea who Dolley Madison was. After reading a little bit about her I was intrigued by the way she held herself, especially after her first husband and youngest child died. She didn’t slow down in life, instead, she married James Madison and became one of the greatest First Ladies of all time. It’s amazing how Dolley was able to make her mark in history by being brave and loading some of the most valuable things we see today. Dolley Madison is the perfect example of one of the most courageous woman ever known in the United States. I enjoyed getting to know a little of her! the article was structured nicely and it got straight to the point of who she was. Great work!
Edith De Loera
Dolley Madison was a woman of action. After her first husband died due to yellow fever, she re-married and was soon asked to be in charge of the social affairs of the White House due to her great people skills. She was unconsciously made a huge impact on history and may have even set higher standards for the upcoming first ladies.