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Dolley Madison Charms a Nation Dolley Madison Charms a Nation Biography Biography

“These Perilous Moments” large picture of General is secured, and it requires to be Dolley Madison paced anxiously back and forth through the rooms of the unscrewed from the wall. This process was found too tedious for president’s mansion. Occasionally, she stopped in front of a window, put a small these perilous moments; I have ordered the frame to be broken, and telescope to her eye, and scanned the landscape. Now and then, a servant rushed the canvas taken out. It is done, and the precious portrait placed in in with bits of news. Alarm the hands of two gentlemen of New York for safe keeping. And now, was growing on every dear sister, I must leave this house, or the retreating army will make side. The enemy was me a prisoner in it, by filling up the road I am directed to take. When I drawing ever nearer! They shall again write you, or where I shall be tomorrow, I cannot tell. must flee! But Dolley Madison refused to go. Shortly after Dolley fled, the British swarmed into the presidential mansion. They Her husband, President brazenly ate the dinner that had been prepared for the president and then set fire , was out to the building. Dolley Madison’s bravery on that August day prevented there somewhere with the important national treasures from falling into the hands of the British. Although troops. She was she had been immensely popular before this event, afterward she was seen as determined to remain nothing less than a real-life heroine. until she knew he was safe and could accompany her. From Heartbreak to Joy Dolley Madison grew up in a close- The year was 1814. The knit Quaker family. She was one of nation had been at war When the British attacked Washington, DC, in August 1814, eight children. Her father was with Great Britain for two Dolley Madison was alone at the presidential mansion. She originally a planter in . escaped just before the enemy attacked and burned the years. On that August day, building. Afterward, the mansion was painted white to hide did not believe in slavery, when Dolley was the smoke stains on the outside of the building. Because of however, so when Dolley was 15, her searching for some sign of this, the president’s house came to be called the “White father freed his enslaved laborers and her husband, British House.” moved the family to . troops were advancing rapidly toward Washington, DC. She had already hastily There, he tried his hand in business. packed the nation’s important papers into trunks and had them ready to load into Whereas he was not very successful carriages “at a moment’s warning.” In a letter to her sister, Dolley explains what at selling laundry starch, he did happened next: succeed at finding a husband for Dolley. John Todd was a Quaker and Will you believe it, my Sister? We have had a battle or skirmish . . . a lawyer Dolley did not really want to and I am still here within sound of the cannon! Mr. Madison comes get married, but she had been raised not. May God protect him! Two messengers covered with dust, come to obey her parents. So she and John to bid me fly; but I wait for him. . . . At this late hour a wagon has Todd became husband and wife in been procured; I have had it filled with the plate and most valuable 1790. Dolley was not yet 22 years old. portable articles belonging to the house. Whether it will reach its Unfortunately, her life was about to Dolley Madison (1768–1849). destination, the Bank of Maryland, or fall into the hands of British take a tragic turn. soldiery, events must determine. Dolley’s father died in 1792. His last few years were filled with sadness. His Our kind friend, Mr. Carroll, has come to hasten my departure, and is business had failed, and the Quakers had expelled him from the faith. By this in a very bad humor with me, because I insist on waiting until the time, Dolley and John had two sons. In 1793, however, the unthinkable

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Dolley Madison Charms a Nation Dolley Madison Charms a Nation Biography Biography

happened. A yellow fever epidemic swept through Philadelphia. Both Dolley’s In 1801, was elected president. He chose James Madison to be husband and youngest child died. At the age of 25, she was a widow and had to his secretary of state. The Madisons moved to Washington, DC, and that is when bury one of her babies. the people of the United States really got to know Dolley Madison. Because President Jefferson’s wife had died many years before, he asked Dolley to serve as As it turned out, however, Dolley was unsinkable. She was a naturally optimistic hostess at social gatherings. She did so with flair and style, soon becoming known person, eager to look for the best in every situation and every person. She was for her fashionable feathered turbans, high-waisted gowns, furs, and jewels. She full of charm and also very pretty. Wherever she went, men were eager to open also became known for her liveliness, her knack for remembering names, and her doors for her and give her their arm to cross the street. It did not take long for ability to make every visitor feel welcome. one man in particular to notice her. His name was James Madison. You may know him as the fourth president of the United States. As Dolley enlarged her social circle, she grew skillful at smoothing the ruffled feathers of diplomats and congressmen. No one could resist her charm and In 1794, James Madison asked a friend to introduce him to the widow Dolley sparkle. As President Jefferson’s second term drew to a close, Dolley turned her Todd. What must Dolley have thought when she heard of his request? Madison attention to getting her husband elected. The campaign for the presidency in was 43 years old! He was short and thin, only 5 feet 4 inches tall, and 100 1808 took place largely at Dolley’s dinner parties and receptions. Some people pounds. He was also quite shy. However, he was a giant in the world of politics, did not like the idea of a woman involving herself in politics. The newspapers which at that time was almost like being a movie star. Perhaps Dolley was attacked her quite viciously. If their nastiness bothered Dolley, she did not let it thinking of all this when she wrote to a friend that “the great little Madison has show. asked to be brought to see me this evening.” James Madison was inaugurated as the nation’s fourth president in 1809. He and Dolley soon learned that James Madison was different around his friends than he Dolley moved into the presidential mansion, where Dolley set about shaping the was in public. While in public, he sometimes seemed nervous and shy. In private, job of the president’s wife. At that time in the nation’s history, presidents walked though, he could be as charming as she was, and he made her laugh. After a a fine line. The nation had just fought a bloody revolution to free themselves of a courtship of only four months, Dolley and James were married. She confided her king. No one wanted another war! As a result, presidents had to avoid acting like feelings to a friend on her wedding day, saying Madison was the man she royalty, while still behaving with dignity and greatness. Dolley understood this admired the most. balance. She decorated the new presidential mansion, later to be called the , with only American-made furniture. Every Wednesday, she opened the America Meets Dolley doors of the White House to the public. These functions were so crowded that Dolley, James, and Dolley’s son, Payne, lived in Philadelphia after the wedding. they became known as “squeezes.” James Madison was a member of the new House of Representatives. Because he was not a Quaker, Dolley was expelled from her religion when she married him. Dolley was present at every squeeze, moving among the guests, enchanting No longer required to follow Quaker rules, Dolley began to show her own sense of everyone she met. Women across the nation admired her fashion sense and soon fashion and fun. From Philadelphia, the couple moved to James’s estate in began to imitate her style. In some ways, Dolley was the perfect politician herself, Virginia. Called Montpelier, it was a 5,000-acre plantation that depended on being careful to offend no one and to be pleasant to everyone. She visited every slave labor. Later, James Madison argued against slavery, but he never freed his new senator and representative. Soon her reputation spread across the nation. own enslaved laborers. Her name was used to sell cakes, , shoes, china, watches, silverware, and more. The incredible Dolley Madison had won the hearts of Americans During the early years of their marriage, Dolley and James grew in affection for across the country. She had also established that the president’s wife should be each other. Dolley called James her “dearest friend.” On one of the few occasions both an everyday citizen and a role model, an advocate for both her husband and when they were apart, she wrote to him, “think of thy wife, who thinks and her country. dreams of thee.” For his part, James had been utterly smitten since the day he first spoke to Dolley. He also expressed his deep devotion to her in his own letters.

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Dolley Madison Charms a Nation Dolley Madison Charms a Nation Biography Biography

The Nation Shows Its Gratitude After reading the passage, answer the following questions: After the presidency, Dolley and James moved back to Montpelier. Their house was always full of visitors. The Madisons spent 19 years together at Montpelier. 1. During the , Dolley Madison When he was in his eighties, ill health confined James to his bed. Dolley sat at his A. saved a famous portrait of . side day after day, leaving him for no more than 15 or 20 minutes at a time. B. prevented the British from burning the Capitol. When James died in 1836, Dolley was 68 years old. She decided to move back to C. defended the White House against the British. Washington, DC. Dolly enjoyed the social activities of the city and played host D. replaced her husband on the battle lines. to many important visitors. Often, they first called on the president and then headed across the street to visit with Dolley. She was often invited to the White 2. Dolley Madison first lived in Washington, DC, when House. In 1844, she received an honor that had never before been given to a A. her family moved there during her childhood. private citizen. Congress resolved that “a committee be appointed on the part of B. she married her first husband. this House to wait on Mrs. Madison, and to assure her that, whenever it shall be C. her husband served as secretary of state. her pleasure to visit the House, she be requested to take a seat within the Hall.” D. her husband served as president of the United States. Dolley was also invited to the ceremony celebrating the laying of the cornerstone for the . She was given the honor of being the first private 3. Based on information in the passage, which of the following reflected citizen to send a message on the world’s first telegraph line. Dolley’s reputation with the American people? A. Her name was used to sell many products. America loved Dolley, and Dolley loved America. When she died in 1849, B. Many families named their daughters Dolley. President spoke at her funeral. To a distinguished audience made C. Congress declared a national holiday in her honor. up of his cabinet, the diplomatic corps, members of Congress, the justices of the D. A large steamship was named after her. Supreme Court, the officers of the army and navy, and the mayor of Washington, President Taylor used the term “” in his eulogy. This is the first known 4. Dolley Madison was well respected in Washington, DC, and even had a use of the title First Lady, which is now used to refer to every president’s wife. standing invitation to visit Congress. In your opinion, which of Dolley’s Although the term became commonplace, its namesake never was. The amazing characteristics and actions made her so beloved by the American Dolley Madison was, in so many ways, the very first First Lady. people? Use details from the reading passage to support your answer.

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