Dolley Madison - The Queen of Reinvention

Many of us have felt the need, at one time or another during our lives, to reinvent ourselves. Whether it was during our teen years to seem more attractive to the “in crowd”, to get the right job, attract a future spouse, or perhaps in later life to get a fresh start, we all at one time or another have made ourselves over to adjust to our ever-changing lives. While we don’t necessarily have to become another Madonna or Lady Gaga, sometimes change can be good. It can help us advance our position in life, or even smooth over previous mistakes. Others may simply find that reinvention is the best way to roll along in life.

One person who made the most of reinvention was Dolley Payne Todd Madison, the wife of James Madison, the 4th President of the United States.

Dolley was born in 1768 to a strict Quaker upbringing. Her father was a struggling businessman who, following Quaker doctrine, emancipated his slaves sometime after the Revolutionary War. Young Dolley wore the traditional Quaker garb throughout her childhood and marriage to a young lawyer by the name of John Todd Jr. Unfortunately, three years after the wedding, the union ended suddenly when a yellow fever epidemic raged through Philadelphia and claimed the lives of not only her husband, but one of her sons in 1793.

While a tragedy like this might make most of us give up and wonder what to do next, Dolley was able to endure a misfortune of this magnitude with a characteristic optimism that was to become the hallmark of her character. She decided to kick up her heels and enjoy herself at some of the social events in Philadelphia, which was at that time the capital of the United States. It was at one of these functions that Senator Aaron Burr of New York introduced her to a Representative of Virginia by the name of James Madison. Despite the fact that Madison was 17 years her senior, Dolley began a courtship with him that culminated in a proposal of marriage.

The marriage of 43 year old James Madison, an Episcopalian, and 26 year old Dolley, a Quaker, resulted in the young bride being ostracized from the Quakers for marrying outside her faith. Freedom from the Quaker laws and doctrines manifested itself in not only Dolley’s appearance, but her personality as well. She assessed the situation, and became a socialite! She reinvented her persona to become someone who was known to take a pinch of snuff now and then, and wear a new style of beautifully elaborate clothing, complete with turbans, feathers, and jewelry, that made her one of the most beautiful, gregarious, and admired women of the land.

Large formal dinner parties at Montpelier, the Madison family estate in Orange County, Virginia became one of Dolley’s great joys. These elaborate dinners became known throughout the state, and proved favorable to her husband’s political career. In 1801, James Madison was appointed Secretary of State by his friend and newly inaugurated president, Thomas Jefferson.

The move to Washington D.C. was a smooth transition for Dolley, and she relished the social whirl of the city. When asked by widower Thomas Jefferson to serve as official hostess for White House functions, extrovert Dolley seemed to enliven the austere atmosphere of the Jefferson administration. It was a match made in heaven! Her social functions at the White House seemed to sooth the political tensions that often plagued the city. Dolley’s influence in Washington within the first 8 years she lived there helped to foster her eventual role as first lady after her husband became President. She also became a public spokeswoman for the fundraising effort that sent Lewis and Clark to explore the land of the Louisiana Purchase.

When Dolley Madison became first lady in 1809, her status as the central figure in Washington society was confirmed. Her Wednesday “drawing room” receptions became popular with politicians, diplomats, and the citizenry. She had an amazing gift for remembering names that made all of her guests feel welcome. Dolley was regarded not only as a good hostess, but her knowledge of politics and current events proved instrumental in helping her husband’s career. Her outgoing demeanor served to compliment her husband’s stone faced disposition.

Her political insight was also a great influence to her husband. Some think this influence with her husband was the major reason behind his reelection in 1812. In cases where warmth and diplomacy was needed, it was definitely a matter of “behind every great man….”

In the time leading up to the inauguration of her husband in March of 1809, commandant of the Washington Navy Yard, Captain Tom Tinge, requested Dolley’s permission and sponsorship of a dinner and dance. Well, this was right up her alley, so naturally Dolley agreed. This dance took place the evening of the inauguration. Thus, the “Inaugural Ball” was born. A far cry from today’s many Inaugural Balls and celebrity packed parties, it was held at Long’s Hotel on Capitol Hill for about 400 guests. The evening began with the playing of “Jefferson’s March” and the entrance of the former President.

Immediately following was the playing of “Madison’s March” and the entrance of the new President. Dolley made her presence known in a buff colored gown, pearls, and large plumes in a turban. A formal dinner followed. Not exactly what you’d call rocking the house, but it was a successful start.

More than either of her two predecessors, Dolley enthusiastically forged a highly public role as the President’s wife. She believed that the citizenry was her constituency as well as her husband’s. She set the standard for the role of First Lady that held well into the 20th century. She specifically formed this persona to promote the political fortunes of her husband, as well as the United States. Intelligent, but not intellectual, she was able to steer conversations with politicians and their wives in a direction that would either cleverly lead them to reveal their feelings on issues facing the Madison Administration or to convince them to consider the viewpoint of her husband. Dolley used every acceptable form of behavior of women of the time to exercise political influence. She wrote letters, entertained, and carefully cultivated important alliances with the spouses of political figures. She was also instrumental in placing supporters, friends and family members into official government positions. Nepotism, yes, but it was very common at the time.

Of course the one thing Dolley is best known for is saving the portrait of George Washington as Washington D.C. burned during the War of 1812. The battle was raging outside the door of the White House, and the President had to be in the city on the front line with his troops. Most of Dolley’s friends had already fled the city. The soldiers who had been left to guard the executive mansion had also made a hasty retreat. Obviously, James wanted Dolley to flee as well. He told her as he left that if anything happened, to look out for the state papers. Unbelievably, she refused to leave the White House until she heard the advance of the cannon fire. Finally, there came a note from Madison saying that the enemy was stronger than they first thought and they might actually reach the city and destroy it. He wanted her to be ready to leave at a moments notice! Always cool, calm and collected, Dolley kept her wits about her as everyone else was losing theirs! She commandeered a wagon off the street, and helped the servants load it with the important papers, documents, books, and her favorite china and silver. Most famously, she made sure the large portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart was removed from the wall. When the painting, screwed into the wall of the state dining room could not be removed, and no tools could be found,

Dolley commanded that an axe be gotten and the frame broken. She then watched as the frame was broken, the canvas taken from the stretcher and the painting finally sent to a place of safety where the enemy could not destroy or deface it. What a woman! It hangs today over the mantel of the red room of the White House. At the same time, she saw that the Declaration of Independence that was kept in a glass case was also safely carried from the house. None too soon, either! The British were soon upon the house. They ransacked it, and actually had dinner in the state dining room. They then stole all they could carry, and set the executive mansion on fire.

If you would like to read more about Dolley's quest to overcome adversity, as well as other great Americans, check our website http://www.hfkpresents.com/ or http://www.amazon.com/  to purchase Mistakes Happen: An Historial Guide to Overcoming Adversity.