Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1875-08-14

The Prospective Mistress Of
the White House Attend.
ing Jersey ssQuilting FrOI-
snSx -

the White House Attend
ing Jersey ssQuilting FrOI-
ics.''
The following from a historical
sketch of Haddonfield, m. j., in
the Camden Press, respecting the
lady who afterwards became Mrs.
James Madison, will be found in
teresting:
The old tavern house, where sat
the Colonial Legislature and Ccun-
Gil Of Safety, has associated with
it another interesting character.
Soon after the war OF Independ-
ence had ended, and before the CO.
lonies entered into the Federal
compact, the house was kept by
Hugh Creighton, whose descend
ants or family name had not been
known in this region for many
years. A frequent visitor at his
house, and relative, was q young
lady who resided in Philadelphia.
Her maiden name was Doratha
Payne, daughter of John and
Mary Payne. She was born in
North Carolina in 1872, while her
parents were on a visit there, they
being residents at that time Of
Hanover county, Va. Her father
served as captain in the Ameri-
can army during the revolutionary
war, but afterwards being convinc-
ed Of the religious doctrines of
Friends, became member of that
Society, and WIS among the first
who had religious scruples about
holding slaves. In 1776 he sold his
landed estate in Virginia, and re-
moved with his negroes to Phila-
delphia, where they were all set
free. The nurse of Doratha, Mo-
Their ANY, refused to leave her
master, and remained in his fami-
ly until her death, and out of her
earnings gave by will $500 to her
foster child.
Doratha was educated according
to the opinions of Friends, and in
1871 married John Todd, "a wealthy
young lawyer of that city, he be-
Ing Of the same faith and order
He died in 1895, Of yellow fever,
leaving her with two children. -
After the death OF her husband
she abandoned the religious faith
Of her parents, laid aside plainness
of dress, entered fashionable socie-
ty, and at once became an attract
i've and fascinating lady. Her
presence in the place drew around
her the country beaux, and more
than one, even in their old age,
confessed their inability to resist
her charms.
Their outdoor parties In sum-
mer and quilting frolics in winter
always found her a welcome guest
when she was the centre Of attrac-
ton and admiration of all. Phila-
delphia 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 conspicuous parsonage,
and where she had many suitors.
Among the delegates to Congress
from the State Of Virginia was
James Madison, a young lawyer |
of talent, and even then regarded |
as one of the brightest intellects of
the State. His strict attention to |
the duties of his Office prevented |
his making many acquaintances;
but on the occasion of his intro
duction to the bri Z hit young widow
he fell desperately in love This
on the part of one "whose attain
ments 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--even to President
Washington, who appreciated his
worth and abilities.
In 1874 Doratha Todd, generally
known as Dolly Todd, became
Dolly Madison, and the wife OF a
future President of the United
States. In 1901, her husband was
Secretary of State by
Mr.. Jefferson, and removed to
Washington city, then little better
than wilderness. They remained
there until 1877, at the close of the
second term Of Mr.. Madison's
Presidency, and then went to
Montpelier, Virgini upon his
paternal estate. Soon after the de-
cease Of her husband, in 1886, she
returned to the National Capitol,
and remained until her death in
1849. In her exalted position she
never forgot her friends about
Haddenfield, nor the many plea
SAINT days she had spent among the
people there. Some Of her old adj
mirers sought honorable promo
tion at the hands of her husband
during his administration, whose