The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-05-11
A FAMOUS LITTLE QUAKER.
Dolly Madison's Youth and How She Met
Her Distinguished Husband.

Dolly MadtsOn's Youth and How She Met
Her Distinguished Husband.
Dolly was the second of six children
and was named after her mother S
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 chill
dren all ornaments and accomplish
ments, save those of meek and gem
tie spirit"
Until she was twelve years old Dolly
lived quietly in the country and at
tended the village school, where most
OF her education was received. Every
morning before starting out her sun
bonnet was sewed securely under her
chin 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, q
grotesque little figure.
Very fond of pretty things, her
grandmother, with whom she was a
great pet, often made her presents of
old-fashioned jewelry, which, not be-
ing allowed to visibly wear, she sewed
into little bag and wore around her
neck under her gown.
yer father was one of the first of his
Sect in Virginia to become doubtful Of
slavery, and his scruples finally led
him to liberate 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
growing daily in grace and beauty. At
nineteen she was tall and slender, with
"delicately oval face, well-formed
features, a dazzling fair" complexion,
and blue eyes of much sweetness
under her demure 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 de-
clined, saying she never intended to
marry. Hearing of her refusal her
father, who was i'll at the time, imme-
diately summoned her to his side and
told her it was his greatest wish to see
her well provided for before he died
and that it would make him very I'M
happy If she persisted in her refusal, so
like a dutiful daughter she reversed
her decision and became the wife OF
John Todd
Her marriage proved to be a very
happy one, but after the brief space OF
three years her husband died and she
was left widow at twenty-five. Rich
and very attractive, she had many ad-
mirers.
James Madison, at that time consid.
cred an irreclaimabl bachelor, CHANGED
to see her one day while she was out
walking with friend, and was Sc
much impressed 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 a gown of mulberry satin,
with silk tulle kerchief over her
neck, and on her head a dainty cap,
from which the curls would escape"
An engagement soon followed, and in
September, 1894, Mrs. Todd, accom-
panied by the enamored Madison and
several friends, left Philadelphia for
Harewood-her sisters estate in Vir,
ginia-where the marriage ceremony
was to take place. The journey occu-
pied 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 mementoes of the oc-
casion the girls cut the mechlin lace
from Mr. Madison's shirt ruffies, 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 hus-
bands request, Mrs. Madison laid aside
her Quaker dress and for the first time
in her life began to enjoy society,"
N. Y Times.