Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1893-05-11
A FAMOUS QUAKER MAIDEN.
Dolly Madison's Youth and How She Met
Her DISTINGUISHED Husband.

Dolly was the second of the six chill
lren and was named after her mothers
aunt, Mrs. Patrick Henry. She was
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 70 years old Dolly lived
quietly in the country and attended the
village school where most of her edCca-
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
visibly 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 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 grow
ing daily in grace and beauty. AT 10
she was tall and slender, with deli
cately oval face, well formed features,
"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 de-
clined, saying she never intended to mar
~. Hearing of her 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
py one. but after the brief space of three
years her husband died, and she was left
a widow at %. 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 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 cap
tured his heart. She wore on this occa-
sion a gown of mulberry satin, with
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, 1894, Mrs. Todd, accompa-
MED by the enamored 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 ruff1es, 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-
er dress and for the first time in her life
began to enjoy society. New York
Times