The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-09-04
Dolly Payne.
cruel bio

Dolly Payne.
Who was Dolly Payne, the wife of
James Madison, President of the Uni
ted States and a gallant soldier of the
Revolution2 a Quaker girl, around
whom clusters all that was romantic
and poetic in Madison's life, except his
tender devotion to his mother. lie fell
in love with her while he was in Phila-
delphia attending the sessions of Con-
gress rs a Representative from Virginia.
She was born IN North Carolina, but
when quite young her parents removed
to Philadelphia and joined the Society
of Friends. When Madison first met
her she was Mrs. Dorothy Payne Todd.
the widow Of John Todd. Still she
was only twenty-three years old, and as
pretty in features us charming in con-
versation. His suit was successful,
which is not to Oe wondered at, for he
was Il man Of wealth and with a wide
reputation. With her lie retired to his
country seat TO enjoy her society, the
company Of his friends, and the com
forts of home. Seven happy wears were
spent al Montpelier. and then in 1901
Madison was appointed Secretary of
State and removed with his beautiful
wife to Philadelphia. Afterwards, when
Madison became President, she shared
the White House with him. 1t is said
Of her that she presided with more
brilliancy over the Executive Mansion
than any other woman before or since.
Her beauty, her charming manners, her
quiet refinement, and her dignity aid
grace lent " clIi,ln 'hoenn. unknown u
the White House entertainments.
And She was us brave as she was
beautiful. During the exciting DAYS OF
the war of 1872 she showed such devo-
tion and bravery that she was no longer
simply queen Of the drawing-room
but Il heroine among heroines. The
24th of August, 1914, witnessed the Ell.
try of the British into TIC Capital, after
defeating our army at BladenSblrg.
On the day previous, Mrs. Madison
wrote thus to her sister at Mt. Vernon
My husband left ne yesterday to join
General Winder. lie inquired anxious
ly whether had courage or lirmness tc
remain in the Presidents house until
his return on the morrow or succeeding
day, and Oh my assurance that | had
no fear but for him and the success OF
our army, he left me, beseeching Mc |,
take care Of myself and of the Cabinet
papers public and private. Ihave since
received two dispatches from him writ.
ten with Il pencil; the last is alarming,
because he desires that / should be
ready ut Il moments warming to enter
my carriage and leave the city. I am
determined not to go myself until I see
MIR. Madison safe and he can accompa-
ny me, rs L fear much hostility to.
wards him.' On the following after
noon she adds a postscript:-"W Will you
believe it, my sister, We have Had Il bit
tie or Il skirmish near Bladensburg, and
l am here within sound Of the cannon
Ar Madison comes not ; may God pro-
tect him! Two messengers covered
with dust come to bid me fly, but | wait
for him."
at last She consents to depart, but
even then delays. at the risk of capture
TO order the demolition of the heavy
gilt frame around Stuart's portrait OF
General Washington, 50 that the valued
picture may be taken out and carried
to a place of security. Dolly Payne is
demure little Quaker girl no longer
but brave woman Of whom the whole
nation may well beproud. 1t is a pleas
i'i6o i'SANASllV VI blSl . love CIltll
in after years, when writing his will, he
always mentioned her as "my dea,
wife" With all her beauty and will
| all her bravery Dolly Madison had he
share of trouble. John Payne Todd
son by the first husband, was a wild
profligate fellow, who inherited none OF
the good qualities Of his mother. III
was the scapegrace Of the family. Wher
Madison sold his manuscripts and pa
pers to Congress for $4,000, young
Todd managed to get most Of the mo
| ney from him. Afterwards when Mad
ison made his will, he left land and 9th
er property to all his relatives, but t(
John Payne Todd he gave only the med
ais presented to him by his friend Geo
w. Erying, and the walking staff made
from the timber of the frigate Consti
tuition and presented to him by Commo
d0re Elliott, then her commander. So
young Todd, figurativcly speaking. was
cut off with a shilling. Dolly Payne
as she is commonly called, resided II
| Washington during the last years OF
her life. in her old age she was bap
tiZed and became Il member Of st. john.
Church, in Philadelphia.