The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-09-12
Dolly Payne.


James Madison, President of the
United States and q gallant soldier
of the Revolution ? A Quaker girl,
around whom clusters all that was
romantic and poetic in Madison's
life, except his tender devotion to
his mother. He fell in love with
her while he was in Philadelphia
attending the session of Congress as
a representative from Virginia. She
was born in North Carlina but when
quite young her parents removed
to philadelphia and joined the So
ciety of Philadelphia and joined the
Society of Friends. When Madison
first met her she was Mrs. Dortha
Payne Toddy, the widow of John
Todd. Still she was only twenty
three years old, and as pretty in
features as charming in conversation
His suit was successful, which is not
to be wondered at, for he was a man
of wealth and with a wide reputa-
ton. With her he retired to his
country seat to enjoy her society,
and the comforts of hoem.
Seven happy years were
spent at Montpelier and then in
1901, Madison was appointed Secre-
tary 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 bril-
liancey over the Executive Mansion
than any other woman before or
since. Her beauty, her charming
manners, her quiet refinement, and
her dignity and grace let charm
before unknown to the White House
entertainments.
And she was as brave as she was
beautiful. During the exciting days
of the war of 1912 she showed such
deqotion and bravery that she was
no longer simply queen of the
drawing-room, but heroine. The
24th of August, 1914, witnessed the
entry of the British into the Capitol
after defeating our army at Bladeus-
burg. On the day previous, Mrs.
Madison wrote thus to her sister at
Mt. Vernon: "My husband left me
yesterday to join General Winder.
He inquired anxiously whether |
had courage or frmness to remain
in the Presidents house until his re-
turn on the morrow or succeeding
day, and on my assurance that had
no fear but for him and the success
of our army, he left me, beseeching
me to take care of myself and of the
cabinet papers public and private.
| have since received two dispatch
es from him written with a pencil !;
the last is alarming, because he de-
sired that | should be ready at
moments warning to enter my car
riage and leave the city. | am de-
termined not to go myself until |
see Mr.. Madison safe and he can ac-
company me, as l fear much hostil-
ity towards him" On the following
ofternoon she adds postscript =
"Will you believe it, my sister, we
have had battle or a skirmish near
Bladensburg, and i am here within
sound of the cannon Mr.. Madison
comes not may God protect him
Two messengers covered with dust
come to bid me flv, but l wait for
him."
At last she consents to depart, but
even then delays, at the risk of cap
ture, to order the demolition of the
heavy gilt frame around Stuarts por-
trait of General Washington, so tha.
the valued picture may be taken out
and carried to a place of security.
Dolly Payne is demure little Qua
ker girl no longer, but a brave wo-
man of whom the whole nation may
well be proud. tits a pleasing incl
dent of her husbands love that in
after years, when writing his will,
he always mentioned her as my
dear wife" With all her beauty and
with all her bravery Dolly Madison
had her share of trouble. John
Payne Todd, son by the first hus-
band, was a wild, prohigate fellow,
who inherited none of the good
qualities of his mother When
Madison sold his manuscripts and
papers to Congress for $4,000
young Todd managed to get most of
the money from him. Afterwards
when Madison made his will he left
land and other property to all his
relatives, but to John Payne Todd
he gave only the medals presented
to him b. his friend Geo. W. Erving
and the walking staff made from the
timber of the frigate Constitution
and presented to him by CommC-
dore Elliott, then her commander.
So, young Todd, figuratively speak
ing, was cut off with a shilling.
Dolly Payne, as she is commonly
called, resided in Washington during
the last years of her life. In her old
age she was baptized and became
member Of ST. Johns Church, in
Philadelphia.
A Good Story OF Henry Clay.