The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-06-10
A FAMOUS QUAKER MAIDEN.
Dolly MadisOn's Youth and How
She Met Her Distinguished
Husband.

Dolly was the second Of six chill
d en- aud was named after hcr mother $
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 oil the
Society of Friends in accordance with
their religion denied their children all
ornaments and accomplishments save
those of meek aud gentle spirit.
Until she was twelve years old Dolly
lived quietly in the country and attended
the village school where most of her
education was received. Every morning
before starting out her suubonnet was
sewed securely under her chin by her
careful mother and with the addition
of white linen mask to still futher
protect her complexion and long gloves
she rrudged along the coutry roads to
the schoolhouse "a grotesque little figure.
Very iond of pretty thugs her grand
often made her presents OF old fashioned
jewellery, which not allowed to vlslbly
wear, she sewed into a little bag aud
wore around her neck under her gown
Her father was one of the first sect IL
Virginia to become doubtful OF slavery
and his Scrup!es finally led him tC
~ 1. 81, Ia. n
remove to Philadelphia. Here he
engaged in business but as his efforts
proved unsuccessful after several year:
the family became very much reduced
in circumstances.
In the meantime Dolly had beei
growing daily in grace and beauty. y
| 10 she WAS tall and slender, with
''delicately oval face, well formed
features, "dazzIngly fair complexion
and blue eyes OF much sweetness unde
her demure Quaker cap"
John Todd, wealthy, good looking
young lawyer of the same religion 500
| fell victim to her charms and made he
on offer or marriage which she decline'
saying she never intended to marry
| Hearing of her refusal her father sum
moned her to his side and told her it Wa
his greatest wish to see her well provldet
for before he died, that it would max
him very unhappy il she persisted i'll he
refusal SO like dutilul d lighter sh
reversed her decision and became til
wife of John Todd.
Her marriage proved to be a yer
happy one, but after the brief space O
three years her husband died aud sh
was lett a widow at %. Rich and yer
attractive, she had many admirers.
James Madison at that time considere
an unrec laimable bachelor CHANGED t
see her one day while she was out walk
ing with a friend and was SO niue
impressed with her beauty and grace @
bearing that he did not rest until he ha
obtained the promise of an introduction
A few days later she met him at he
own house, and in the first interview
captured his heart. She wore on thu
occasion d gown OF mulberry satir
with a silk tulle kerchief over her nee
and on her head dainty cap, fror
which the curls would escape"
| An engagement sooa followed and i
September 1894 Mrs. Todd, accompauie
by the enamored Madison and severa
friends, left Philadelphia for Harewoo
her sisters estate in Frginia-wher
the marriage ceremony was to take place
The journey occupied week, but tn
weather was delightful, and it wa
accomplished without incident.
Friends and relatives from far an
near assembled to greet the bridal part
and many of them remained for day
after the wedding to keep up til
festivities. For mementos of the occas
ion the girls cut the mechlin lace fror
Mr.. Madison's shirt ruf1ies, and am;
showers OF rice the laughing bride an
groom drove Oft spend their honeymoon
at Montpelier.
The close of the year found them bac
in Virginia where at he husbands re
quest, Mrs Madison laid aside he
| Quaker dress and for the first time i
her life began to enjoy society.