Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1875-09-08
Interesting sketch OF a Presidents
Wife.

The following is taken from an histo-
rical sketch of Haddonfield, y. j., in the
Camden Press:
''The old tavern house, where sat the
Colonial Legislature and the Council of
Safety, has associated with il another
interesting character. Soon after the
war OF independence had ended, and
before the colonies had entered into the
federal compact, the house was kept by
Hugh Creighton. whose descendants or
family name have no. been known i'm
this region for many years. 4 frequent
visitor at his house, and a relative, was
young lady who resided in Philadel-
Dhia. Her maiden name was Doratha
Payne, daughter of John and Mary
Payne. She was born in North Caro-
lima in l772, while her parents were on
a visit there, they being residents at that
time of Hanover county, Virginia. Her
father served "a captain in the Ameri-
can army during the Revolutionary war,
but afterwards, being convinced of the
religious doctrines of Friends became a
member of that society, and was among
the ist who lad religious scruples
about holding slaves. In l776 he sold
his landed estate in Virginia and re-
moved with his negroes To Philadelphia,
where they Were all set free. The nurse
of Doratha, Mother Amy refused to
leave her master and renamed i'm his
family until her death, and on. of her
earnings gave by will $500 to her foster
child. Doratha was educated according
10 the opinions of Friends. and in 1871
married John Todd, a wealthy young
lawyer of that city, he being of the same
faith and order. He died in 1898, of
yellow fever, leaving her with two
children. After the death of her hus-
band she abandoned the religious faith
of her parents, laid aside plainness of
dress, entered fashionable society, and
Al once became an attractive and fasci-
mating lady. Her pre-ence in the viii
lage drew aronnd her the country beaux,
and more than one, even in their old
age, confessed their inability TO resist
her charms. Their outdoor parties in
summer and quilting frolics IN winter
always found her a welcome guest, when
she was the centre of attraction and
admiration of all. Philadelphia was the
metropolis, and where resided those
administering the government, whose
wives and daughters made society gay
and fashionable. In this Mrs. Todd
was also a conspicuous personage, and
where she had many suitors.
Among the delegates to Congress from
the State of Virginia was James Madi-
son, young lawyer of talent, and even
then regarded as one of the brightest
intellects of the State. His strict atten-
tion to the duties of his Office prevented
his making many acquaintances; but on
the occasion of his Introduction to the
bright young widow, he fell desperately
in love. This ON the part of one whose
attainments were in advance of his |
years. led to considerable gossip among
the ladies, and made him the point of
many jokes and other pleasantries with |
the heads of the gOvernment-cyen TO /
President Washington, who appreciated
his worth and abilities. In 1894 DOratha |
Todd, generally known as Dolly Todd, |
became Dolly Madison, and the wife of
future President of the United States. |
In 1901 her husband was appointed Sec
retary of State by Mr.. jefferson, and |
removed to Washington city, then little |
better than a wilderness. They re-
mained there until 1917, at the close of
the second term of Mr. Madison's Presi-
dency, and then went TO Montpelier, |
Virginia, upon his paternal estate. Soon
after the decease of her husband, in 1896,
she returned TO the national capital, and |
remained until her death, in 1919. In
her exalted position she never forgot
her friends about Haddonfield, nor the |
many pleasant days she had spent among
the people there. Some of her old |
admirers sought honorable promotion
at the hands of her husband during his
administration, whose claims were |
strengthened by her influence, and
which led to success. She survived all
her contemporaries, and i'm her declining
years was honored with a seat on the
floor of the House of Representatives,
where she commanded the respect of the
great men of the nation. She would |
always relate the pleasant "reminiscences
of her early life to those presented to
her as residents of West New Jersey,
making inquiry concerning the old
families of this village, some of whom,
however, have at this day scarcely a
representative left"