For half a century, Dolly Madison was the most important woman in the social circles of America. To this day she remains one of the best known and best loved ladies of the White House--- though often referred to, mistakenly, as Dorothy or Dorothea. But she always called herself Dolly.
John Todd, jr., a lawyer, exchanged marriage vows with Dolly in 1790. Just three years later, he died in a yellow-fever epidemic, leaving his wife with a small son. By this time Philadelphia had become the capital city. With her charm and her laughing blue eyes, fair skin, and black curls, the young widow attracted distinguished attention.Before long dolly was reporting to her besst friend that''the great little Madison has asked...to see me this evening .'' Discarding the somber Quaker dress after her second marriage,Dolly chose the finest of fashions. Margaret Byard smith chronicler of early Washington social life, wrote; She looked as a queen....it would be absolutly impossible for any one to behave with more perfect proprity than she did.'' |