The Somerset reporter., 1893-07-27
A Famous Quaker Maiden.

"a ahIOuS Su0AOI lvAaluOh'
Dolly was the second of the six chill
dren, and was named after her mother
aunt Mrs. Patrick Henry. She was IL
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 twelve years old Dolly
lived quietly in the country and attend
ed the village school where most of her
education was received. Every morn
ing before starting out her sunbonnet
was sewed securely under her chiW by
her careful mother and with the addition
of white linen mask to still further
protect her complexion, and long gloves.
she trudged along the country roads to
the schoolhouse, grotesque little fig
urc.
Very fond of pretty things, her grand
mother, with whom she was Il great
pet, often made her presents of old
fashioned iewelry, which, not being
allowed to visibly wear, she sewed into
Il 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, aud his scruples ii lally led him
to liberate his slaves, sell his plantation
and remove to Philadelphia. Here he
engaged in business, but his efforts
proved unsuccessful, after several years
the family became very much reduced
in circumstances.
In the meantime Dolly had been grow
ing daily iu grace and beauty. At ten
she was tall and slender, with ''deli-
cately oval face, well-formed features,
Il ''dazzlingly fair complexion and blue
eyes of ''much sweetness under her de-
mure Quaker cap
John Todd, wealthy. good-looking
young lawyer of the same religion, soon
fell victim to her charms and made her
an offer of marriage, which she declined,
saying she never intended to marry.
Hearing of her refusal, her father, who
was i'll at the time. Immediately sum-
mOned her to his side and told her it was
his greatest wish to see her well pro-
vided for before he died, that 1t would
make him very unhappy if she persist
ed in her refusal, so, like a dutful
daughter, she reversed her decision and
became the wife of John Todd
Her marriage proved to be very hap
py one, but after the brief space of three
years her husband died, and she was
left widow at twenty-five. Rich and
attractive, she had many admirers.
James Madison, at that time consider
ed an unreclaimabe bachelor, chan .ed
to see her one day while she was walk
ing with a friend and was SO much i'm
pressed with her beauty and grace of
bearing that he did not rest until he had
obtained the promise of an introduction.
A few days later she met him at her
own house, and in the first interview
captured his heart. She wore on this
occasion gown of "mulberry, satin,
with silk tule kerchief over her neck,
and on her head IA dainty cap, from
which the curls would escape"
An engagement soon followed, and in
September, 1874, Mrs. Todd, accom-
panied by the enamored Madison and
several friends, left Philadelphia for
lIarewood-her sisters estate in Vir-
gina-where the marriage cercm my
was to take place. The journey occu-
pied a week, but the weather was de
lightful, and it was accomplished with
out incident
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 mementos of the occa-
sion the girls cut the mechlin lace from
Mr.. Madison's shirt ruilles, and amid
showers of rice the laughing bride and
groom drove Off to spend the honey
moon at Montpelier