Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-08-17

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FRO" The .7'nertsan Magazine Of Cscf.i
kH0arLcdye.
uHS. JAMES MADISON.
I The parents of.Mrs. Madison, " hose
maiden name was Dolly Payne, were
natives of Virginia. She was however
born in North Carolina. while her mo-
ther vas on visit 10 some Of her friends
in that State. Not long after their
marriage, her parents joined the socie-
ty OF Friends or Quakers, manumitted
their slaves. and removed 10 Penn.yl-
vania. Their daughter was educated
IN Philadelphia in all the strictness Of
the sect to which the family belonged.
She was. therefore, but little indebted
to acquired graces and accomplishments
for the admiration and regard which
followed her wherever she was known.
To much personal beauty. she added
warm heart aud kind and benevo-
lent disposition; charms and attractions
which won fc. her not only admirers
but friends.
AT an early age she was married to
MIR. Todd, young lawyer of Phila-
delphla, and also a member Of the soci-
ETY. Of Friends. This connexion was
Of short duration. She was soon left
widow with an infant son. Her IA
Their being also dead. she went to live
WITH her surviving parent, who had
fixed her residence in the same city
Here her beauty and engaging manners
secured her many admirers and brought
her several advantageous offers Of mar
rage. Among those who sought her
hand she gave the preference TO Mr..
Madison. at that time a distinguished
member Of Congress, to whom she was
married in 1894.
From this time TO the time of Mr..
Madison's appointment as Secretary of
State. she resided at Montpelier on Mr..
Madlson's paternal estate. Here she
entertained her numerous friends and
guests with an abundant and cordial
hospitality. Her mother and sisters
lived with her; and the regard and
kindness with which her husband
treated them, was repaid on her part
by similar attentions TO the happiness
and comfort Of his aged mother, who
continued 70 live with her son.
On Mr.. JeTe-son's election 10 the
Presidency, in ls0l, Mr.. Madison was
appointed Secretary Of State, and in
April Of that year removed his family
to Washington. We cannot better
describe the manner in which she ac-
quilted herself in the new and elevated
station TO which she was now raised
than IN the language of memoir in the
National Portal, Gallery, . work Of
great merit. The Presidents house
was the seat Of hospitality, where Mrs.
Madison always presided Tin the alb
sence OF Mr.. Jeiersons dsughtcrs)
when there were female guests. After
the Presidents, the house Of the Secre-
tary Of State was the resort Of most
company. The frank and cordial man
ners Of its mistress, gave a peculiar
charm To the frequent parties there as
sembled. All foreigners who visited
the seat Of government strangers from
the different States 81 the Union, the
heads Of departments. the diplomatic
corps, senators, representatives, and
citizens. mingled With an ease and
/ freedom, a sociability and gaiety, 20 be
met with IN no other society. Even
party spirit, virulcnt and embittered
IS II then vas. by her gentleness was
dIsarmed of ITS asperiiy. individuals
who never visited at the Presidents ,,
nor met at the other ministerial houses
could not resist the softeDing influences
Of her ooneilitaTy disposition Of her
frank and gracious manners. but fre-
quenied her evening circle, and sat at
her husbands table. a table that wEs
covered with the profusion Of Virgin.
ian hospitality. rather than with the
elegance and refinement Of European
taste. The lady Of a foreign minister
was oace ridiculing the enormous nzo
and number Of the dishes with which
the board was loaded. and observed,
that 1t was more like q harvest-home
supper, than the entertainment ola Sc
cFetary OF State. Mrs. Msdison heard
Of this, and similar remarks, aud only
observed with a smile. that she thought
abundance was preferable 10 elegance.
;hat circumstances formed customs,
and customs formed taste: and 81 the
pFosusion, 90 FepUgnant 70 foreign Gus
toms. arose from the happy eircum-
stance ofthe supeTabundaHce sod pros.
perIty Of oar eountry, she did not kea.
tate 20 sacrifice The eeIicaey Of Euro
PsaR taste. Cox the less elegant but