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Dolley Todd Madison was the First Lady of the United States from 1809 until 1817. She was the wife of James Madison, the fourth President of the United States. She was frequently visible as First Lady.
See the fact file below for more information on the Dolley Madison or alternatively, you can download our 24-page Dolley Madison worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Dolley Todd Madison served as the First Lady of the United States from March 4, 1809 until March 4, 1817.
- As First Lady, Dolley Madison was preceded Martha Randolph and was succeeded by Elizabeth Monroe.
- Dolley Madison was born Dolley Payne on May 20, 1767, in Guilford County, Province of North-Carolina, British America.
- Dolley Todd Madison had two spouses in her lifetime:
- Her first spouse was John Todd whom she married in 1790, but died in 1793.
- And of course, her second spouse was James Madison, whom she married in 1975.
- Dolley Todd Madison only had children from her first marriage, and she gave birth to two sons:
- Her first child was John Payne Todd (1792-1852).
- The second, unfortunate child, William Isaac Todd, died when he was three months old on the same day of his father’s death.
FAMILY
- Dolley Todd Madison’s father was John Payne.
- John Payne, born in 1736, was initially a planter, however, he freed his slaves due to the Quaker belief he practiced at the time.
- John Payne moved to Philadelphia in 1783.
- He died on October 24, 1792.
- Dolley Todd Madison’s mother was Mary Coles Payne.
- Mary Colles Payne was born in 1745.
- Mary Coles Payne married John Payne in Hanover County, Virginia, in 1761.
- Mary was a Quaker and John was an Episcopalian, so John had to convert his faith. He applied in 1764 and was accepted.
- John and Mary moved to North Carolina in 1766 with other Quaker families.
- Dolley Payne was the fourth child of Mary and John Payne; she had seven siblings:
- Walter Payne (1760’s-1784)
- William Temple Payne (1760’s-1795)
- Isaac Payne (1760’s-1795)
- Lucy Payne Washington Todd (1777-1846)
- Anna Payne Cutts (1779-1832)
- Mary “Polly” Payne Jackson (1781-1808)
- John C. Payne (1782, death date unknown.)
- Dolley Todd Madison was raised in the Quaker faith, by a Quaker family.
- However, she was later expelled after marrying James Madison, who was a non-Quaker.
- She later attended Episcopalian services.
- In 1845, it was confirmed that Dolley Madison converted to the Episcopalian faith.
MARRIAGES
- Sadly, there are no records about Dolley Madison’s formal education.
- There is also no indication that she worked in her father’s starch business or at any other job.
- She first married on January 7, 1790 at Pine Street Meeting House, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- She was 21 years old by that time.
- She was married to a lawyer named John Todd.
- Dolley and John lived in a three-story brick house.
- John Toof died on October 14, 1793, due to yellow fever.
- Her second marriage happened on September 15, 1794 at Harewood estate, in Charles Town, West Virginia.
- She was married to a planter and a U.S. Congressman at the time, James Madison. Dolley did not have kids with James Madison.
- Dolley moved to James’s estate in Virginia, where she was responsible for housekeeping, managing the plantation, and caring for her elderly mother-in-law.
CONTRIBUTIONS AS FIRST LADY
- As a First Lady, Dolley Madison was frequently visible and accessible to the public.
- She believed that the citizens of the United States were also her responsibility.
- Dolley Todd Madison was a First Lady who redecorated the White House’s public rooms in a grand style.
- However, the decorations maintained a certain level of simplicity.
- These decorations were regal enough to impress visitors.
- Dolley Madison also developed a unique and distinct sense or style of clothing to amplify her public visibility and identity.
- Dolley was notable for wearing a turban, which eventually became her trademark.
- Dolley entertained her guests in a cheerful manner that eliminated deep-seated worry. She was effective at maintaining her guests’ calm regardless of their political stand.
- Dolley was known to be influential by possessing the conventional traits of a woman in her time.
- Dolley helped in funding an orphanage in Washington D.C. that specifically catered to orphaned girls.
- Because of this, she was the first First Lady to associate herself with a particular public project.
- Dolley Madison had an image of a public celebrity.
- She was often referred to as “Lady Madison,” and a boat was named after her.
- She was the first First Lady depicted on a magazine cover – she was featured in Port Folio, a magazine in Philadelphia.
- Before the British troops burned the White House during the war of 1812, Dolley made sure that George Washington’s portrait was removed and secured before leaving.
DEATH
- She died in her home in Washington, D.C. on July 12, 1849.
- She was 81 years old when she died.
Dolley Madison Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Dolley Madison across 24 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Dolley Madison worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about Dolley Todd Madison who was the First Lady of the United States from 1809 until 1817. She was the wife of James Madison, the fourth President of the United States. She was frequently visible as First Lady.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Dolley Madison Facts
- Brief Biography
- Life Timeline
- Family Tree
- Relationship with James
- Fabulous Hostess
- President Madison
- Dolley Declared
- Dolley’s Best Traits
- First Lady Review
- My Personal Philanthropy
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Link will appear as Dolley Madison Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, June 4, 2020
Use With Any Curriculum
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