Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1893-05-19
A FAMOUS QUAKER MAIDEN.
Dolly Madison's Youth and How She Met
Her Distinguished Husband.


Her Distinguished Husband.
Dolly was the second of the six chill
dren and was named after her mothers
aunt, Mrs Patrick Henry. She was a
bright, pretty child, whose interesting
chatter and winning ways won hosts of
friends.
Her parents, who were members of the
Society of Friends, in accordance with
their religion, denied their children all
ornaments and accomplishments save
those Of "a meek and gentle spirit"
Until she was IL years old Dolly lived
quietly in the country and attended the
village school where most Of her edrca.
ton was received. Every morning be
fore starting out her sunbonnet was
sewed securely under her chin by her
careful mother and with the addition of
! a white linen mask to still further pro-
tect her complexion and long gloves she
trudged along the country roads to the
schoolhouse, a grotesque little figure.
Very fond of pretty things, her grand
mother, with whom she was great pet,
often made her presents of old fashioned
jewelry, which, not being allowed to
visib1y wear, she sewed into little bag
and wore around her neck under her
gown.
Her father was one of the first of his
sect in Virginia to become doubtful of
slavery, and his scruples finally led him
to hberate his slaves. sell his plantation
and remove to Philadelphia. Here he
engaged in business, but as his efforts
proved unsuccessful after several years
the family became very much reduced in
circumstances.
In the meantime Dolly had been grow
ing daily in grace and beauty At 10
she was tall and slender, with a "deli-
cately oval' face, well formed features,
"dazzlingly fair" complexion and blue
eyes of "much sweetness under her de-
mure Quaker cap"
John Todd, a wealthy, good looking
young lawyer Of the same religion, soon
fell victim to her charms and made
her an offer of marriage which she de.
clined, saying Size never intended to mar
ry. Hearing Of ler refusal her father,
who was i'll at the time, Immediately
summoned her TO his side and told her
it was his greatest wish to see her well
provided for before he died, that it would
make him very unhappy if she persisted
in her refusal, so like dutiful daughter
she reversed her decision and became the
wife Of John Todd.
Her marriage proved to be very hap
by one. but after the brief space of three
years her husband died, and she was left
q widow at 90. Rich and very attract
i've, she had many admirers.
James Madison, at that time consid-
cred an unreclaimable bachelor CHANGED
to see her one day while she was out
walking with friend and was SO much
impressed with her beauty and grace of
bearing that he did no, rest until he had
obtained the prem q of an introduction.
A few days lar she met him at her
own house, and in the first interview cap
tured his heart, She wore on this occa-
sion a gown of mulberry satin, with a
silk tulle kerchief over her neck and on
her head dainty cap. from which the
curls would escape"
An engagement soon followed, and in
September, 1874, Hrs. Todd, accompa-
MED by the enam0rcd Madison and sew
eral friends, left Philadelphia for Hare |
wood-her sisters estate in Virginia |
where the marriage ceremony was to |
take place. The journey occupied a
week, but the weather was delightful, |
and it was accomplished without Incl
dent.
Friends and relatives from far and
near were assembled to greet the bridal !
party, and many Of them remained for
days after the wedding to keep up the /
festivities. For momentos of the oc-
casion the girls cut the mechlin lace
from Mr.. Madison's shirt ruffles, and |
amid showers Of rice the laughing bride /
and groom drove off to spend their |
honeymoon at Montpelier
The close Of the year found them back
in Virginia, where, at her husbands re-
quest, Mrs. Madison laid aside her Quak-
err dress and for the first time in her life /
began to enjoy society. New York
Times.