The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1879-12-13
Presidents Wives.


James Parton, in his book, tells the
story of the lives of Presidents wives.
He SAYS: Thomas Jefferson, like Wash
iDgtoD, married a widow, Mrs. Maria
SHELTON, who had considerable property I;
but that did not save her great hus-
band, who died deeply in debt, owing
TO his slavish devotion to his country.
She was lady of extraordinary beauty
of face and form, and sineularly COM
petent to adorn and conduct great
household. A little above the medium
height, fair complexion, eyes large and
expressive, auburn hair, and q daring
horsewoman, and full of talent She
played, danced and sung we'll, and had
literary tastes. When Jefferson courted
her he was twenty-eight and she nine
teen He played the violin and sung
well, and as he had money then, and u
high position, he distanced all rivals
They bid great wedding. She had a
great responsibility managing her hus-
bands immense estate, bad six children,
of whom only two survived, and died
before he rose TO his great renown,
mourned by him to the last. He re-
remained a widower forty-four years,
down to his death. OF course she never
aw him in the White House.
Dolly Payne was Quaker, and Il
widow, when she married James Mad
ison, and the daughter of Virginia
planter, born in North Carolina. Her
father and mother set their slaves free
and moved to Philadelphia, and there
Dolly married lawyer named Todd.
| h. a.
years after, leaving her with son and
no wealth. Her mother kept boarders
while Congress sat there, and she helped
her mother to keep the establishment.
Among these boarders were Aaron Burr,
then Senator from New York, and
James Madison, member of Congress
from Virginia. Dolly was very beauti.
full and accomplished, and when she
married Madison he was forty three and
she twenty-five. They had no children.
When he became President in 1869, the
| White House received his lovely mis-
tress, who enjoyed its attractions for
eight years. She died in Washington
in 1849, aged eighty-two years, surviv.
ing her husband thirteen years.
Daniel Webster was twice married
but the first wife was the mother of all
his children. She was clergyman
daughter, one year older than himself
quite accomplished, not beautiful, but
much esteemed; and when she came to
Washington, more than fifty years ago
made many friends. She died in New
York, aged forty-six, in 1927, whittier
she had been taken from the National
Capital by her husband. If she never
saw him in his splendid prime, she did
not witness his SAD decline.
Mrs. Andrew Jackson was the wife of
another man, Lewis Robards, of Ken
lucky, when young Jackson saw and
loved her. Her mother, Mrs Donelson
was keeping boarding house at the
time, having returned to Tennessee with
Mr.. and Mrs. Robards, and Jackson
lived in her house. Result, Jealous
husband and separation. 4 rumor
came that divorce had been granted
and then Jackson married his "grass
widow but the rumor proving false
they lived together two years before q
divorce could be really granted, and
then they were married again. The
husband left early, and these peculiar
circumstance led to many bitter quar-.
rels between jackson, who grew into a
great reputation, and his many enemies.
She was short and stout, great house
keeper and manager, very religious
very illiterate, kind to her slaves, and
full of anecdote and fun. She had nc
children, and died in December, 1928