The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1867-11-27
The Wife of James Madison.


The Wife Of James Madison.
ny JAMES pAnrox.
Dorothy Payre, who was the wife of
President Madison, was the daughter of n
Virginia planter. though shc was not her
self born in Virginia. IL was while her
parents were on a Writ to some friend In
North Carolina, in 1863, that her mother
gave birth to the infant who was destined
To have so remarkable and dist npui.hed a
career. Soon after this event, Mr and Mrs.
Payne, having conscientious .cruplcs with
fegard 10 the holding Of slaves, set theirs
free. j"ined the Qnskers, gave up their
plantation, and Removed to Philadelphia
Their daughter, Dorothy. was brought up
in the strict tenets and sober habits Of the
Friends. and when she was twenty years Of
age. married a young lawyer Of that per-
suasion, named Todd. Three years after.
her husband died, leaving her the mother Of
a son. with little provision for their Iuturs
mainte enanee.
At this time her mother was also q wid-
ow, AND was living in Philads phia ia such
narrow circumstances that she was COM
PEELED to add to her little income by taking
boarders. Mrs. Todd went TO reside with
her mother. and assisted her in the care of
her house. She was ore of the most hcau-
iful young women in Philadelphia. have
before me portrait, Of her taken in early
life, which fully justifies her reputation for
beauty. Her figure was nobiy proportion.
ed, aud her face had the robust charms of
fresh and vigorous country girl. After
her husbands death, sire laid aside The prim
garments and the serions demeanor Of the
Quakers, and gave free play to the natural
gnyety Of lI,r disposition. Indeed che for
mally ceased to ben Quaberess, and attend
ed the more fashionable Episcopal church.
Dolly Todd, rs sire was then called, had
considerable celebrity in Philadelphia, both
Tor the charms OF, her person and the liveli-
ness Of her convcrsati ion, ..
Among her mothers boardcrs at this
time were several members Of @ ,ngress, to
whom. OF eourse, the young widow made
herself as agreeable rs sie could Aaron
Burr, then Senator Of sire United States,
was one of these<boarders. and James Mad
'son Member of the House Of Represents
tiyes from Virginia, WAS another.
Mr.. Madison was considered by the
ladies ms a confirmed old bachelor, since he
had attained the age OF forty three without
having yielded to tho sllurenents Of the
sex. lie was the last man 10 the world. rs
his friends thought, to be captivatei by a
dashing young widow. or all the public
men who have figured in public life in the
United States he was the mo.t studious and
Thoughtful. The eldest son of rich Vfr
ginia planter, he was yet so devoted to The
acquisition Of knowledgs that, for months
togother at Princeton College. he allowed
himself but three hours' sleep out Of tie
twenty.four--an excess which injured lis
health for nll the rest OF his life. lie np
pearsd to live wholly in the world Of IDEAS
Daniel Webster reckoned him tha ablesi
expnunder Of the constitution, and Thomas
Jefferson pronounced him the best head in
Virginia. Without being brilliant orator.
I've was an excellent argumentative speaker,
and always contiliated the feelings of his
opponents by the genileness OF his demean-
or and the courtesy Of hi' language
His bearing aud address were remarkably
simple and modest He was always dress
ed in a suit Of black, and looked more like
qaiet student. busy only with his thoughts
and his books, than a statesman Of young,
Republic. One trait of character alone
seemed to fit him for the companionslip Of
Dolly Tod.l. lie was merry man, with
keen relish for every kind of innocent fun,
and :old story extremely well.
Aaron Burr In bis oil age, (so one Of his
friends told me. .)iused to boss, that II was
ae who made the match" between James !
Madison and, Mrs Todd. However that
may be, they were married in N9i,. when |
MIR. Madison was forty three. aud Mrs pcld |
twenty five. Her little son. aged FIVE years,
never Had a nval in his mothers affections.
since no children blessed their union. A
few years after the narrisgs, when Thomas
Jefferson came 70 the Presidency Mr. Mad.c