The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1849-07-27
TlIe Late Mrs. nIadlson.

The death ofMrs. Dolly PayBe Madi-
son. which took place Thursday night in
Washington. is an event that seem to re.
quire something more than amere passing
notice by the press. All intimate asso-
citation with public characters and pablo
afairsfor half century, has made her
almost as we'll known a character to the
American people as any of our statesmen
of the same period. AT the same time,
her noble qualities Of mind and heart
have made her not less conspicuous in
the relations of fdomeslic and social life.
Mrs. Madison's maiden name was Dol
ly Payne. She was of Virginia parent
age, though her birth took place in North
Carolina, during visit of her parents to
that State. A short time after her birth,
her parents joined the Society of Friends,
and manumitting their slaves removed to
Pennsylvania. and their daughter Dolly
received her education in this city. AT
an early age she was married TO Mr..
Todd, young lawyer of Philadelphia,
who died short time afterwards, leav-
ing her with an infant. The young and
beautiful widow was not long without
suitors, and among the number, James
Madison, then member of Congress from
Virginia, was the favored one, to whom
she was welded in l794.-Throughout
his long and eventful career, she sustain
ed the character of devoted wife, and
wasofno small service to her distinguish
ed husband in many of the scenes Of his
life. ...
During his administration as Presi-
dent of the United States, she presided
over the White House with dignity and
grace seldom equalled, and commanded
the admiration of Americans as well
as foreigners. Upon the approach ofthe
British army to Washington in 1914, rare
heroic qualities were developed in heI
character. To the last moment that her
friends would permit. she remained in the
White House, securing cabinet papers,
plate and other valuables, and absolute
ly refusing to leave until the portrait ol
the Father of his country, by Stuart, was
taken down and secured from the i'm
pending vandalism of the invaders. Her
fight from the White House, and her es.
cape in disguise, form al interesting and
romantic incident of the history of that
period. 1t was trying time for the wife
of an American President, and there are
few women who would under the CIR
cumstances, have displayed an egua
strength of mind, an equal degree of pa
triotism, and an equal amount Of conjuca
devotion.
After Mr.. Madison's retirement she re
NAMED with him at his seat at Montpe
Iier. Va, smoothing the downward patti
ofan aged mother-in-law, and perform
ing, in an equally exemplary manner, hel
duties to her husband, until his death, il
1886. During the greater partofthe sub
sequent period she has resided in Wash
ington, the centre of a refined and cult
vated circle; courted and caressed by A
mercans, and honored by the attention
of people of all ranks and nations. He
devotion to her husbands memory lastec
till her death, and through her efforts. a
the last session of Congress, an appropria
ton was made for the publication of his
papers. .... ..l
Mrs Madison was very aged-consid
erably over eighty, we believe. To thu
last, however, she retained degree o
health and activity unusual in one of he
years, and her mental faculties we're als'
singularly unimpaired. Her queenly car
riage, her afable demeanor aud her man,
amiable qualities have endeared her t
: Washington and to all its visitors, and he
loss will be deeply feltby all in that me
tropolis. ....... ......
President Madison, as is well known
had no children. Mr.. Todd, Mrs. Madi
sons son by her first marriage, is, we be
} lieve, still living and resides in Virginia
-PAiladclphia Bulletin.