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James Madison is born
James Madison, future husband and fourth president of the United States of America, is born. -
Dolley Payne is born
Dolley Madison was born in Guilford Country, North Carolina. She was born to John Payne, and Mary Cole Payne. She was the fourth out of eight children. She had four brothers, and three sisters. She was born with Quaker roots. -
Dolley Payne weds John Todd
Dolley Payne weds John Todd at Pine Streer Meeting House in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. John Todd was a lawyer, and they lived in his modest tree-story brick house ar the corner of Fourth and Walnut Streets. They have two children together. -
Dolley's 1st child is borm
John Payne Todd is born. Dolley had this child with her first husband John Todd. They decided to name their child after him. He was born Febuary 29, 1792 into the Todd Family in Philideplhia, PA. -
Dolley's Father dies
Dolley's father, John Payne, dies, leaving his wife to establish herself as a successful manager of a boarding house and is able to take care of her family with her husband's permanent absence. -
John Todd dies
John Todd died in a yellow fever epidemic leaving Dolley (Todd) a widower. -
Dolley's 2nd child dies
John and Dolley had two children together, John Payne Todd, and William Isaac Todd. WIlliam Isaac Todd died at three months old. -
Dolley Payne weds James Madison
Dolley Payne weds James Madison in Harewood Estate in Charlestown, West Virginia. James Madison was a Congressman at the time, and they both lived in his elegant three-story Spruce Stree brick house until he retired in 1797. Then they moved to the Madison family plantation, Montepelier, in Orange, Virginia. James Madison was Dolley's second husband after John Todd, who died of yellow fever. This marriage also resulted in Dolley's dismissal from the Quaker community, because he was not a Quaker. -
USA Capitol is moved
The USA Capitol is moved from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Washington DC. -
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James Madison serves as Secretary of State
James served as Secretary of State in the Administration of his close friend, Thomas Jefferson. -
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Dolley Writes Letters
Dolley wrote many letters to her family and friends. One of the most famous letters that she has sent has been the letter she sent to her sister describing the Burning of the White House. Dolley also wrote to her husband about her ideas in congress and personal opinions, which was a big deal back then for women to do. -
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Dolley Madison is First Lady, while John Madison is President
Mrs. Madison was a hostess, both by the visual effects of their executive mansion and her own person. She dressed in a very elegant manner, regal, yet simple. She would redecorate rooms to impress foreign diplomats, and her enthusiastic and spirited personality had a soothing effect on people, whatever their political opinions. Dolley also utilized all the acceptable forms of political influence from women, through correspondence, entertaining, and cultivating personal alliances will the wives -
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Dolley Madison is First Lady, while John Madison is President cont.
of many important political figures. She was also the first First Lady to publicly associat with a public project. As a fundraiser, suppoter, and board member, she helped found a home for young, orphaned girls in Washington DC. On top of that, she became known for what she did throughout the United States for her concious act of symbolic patriotism in the hours after the burning of Washington by the British in the War of 1812. She refused to leave the White House before she was sure that the -
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Dolley Madison is First Lady, while John Madison is President cont.2
large portrait of George Washington was removed, taken safely away from any potential harm. Dolley Madison was the one who urged Madison and Congress to keep the USA Capitol in Washington, rather than Philadelphia. She was enraged at the British for burning down her favorite city, accounts that were documented said. She resumed her entertaining in the buildings that she and President Madison were occupying in the capital for the duration of his administration as a symbol of rebirth of the city. -
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War of 1812
The War of 1812 ended with the Treaty of Ghentry over 2 years after it started. -
The Burning of the White House
In the War of 1812, the Burning of the White House was a big event, that created much of Dolley's reputation. She refused to leave the building until she was sure that the famous oil painting of George Washington was safe and out of harm's way. This patriotic act was applauded by the whole country. -
Two Historical Figures die
Thomas Jefferson and John Adams die. Thomas Jefferson was a close friend of James Madison. -
John Payne Todd gets sent to Debtor's Prison
John Payne Todd was put into debtors prison because he gambled and was not able to pay off his debt. This caused much trouble for his mother. -
James Madison dies
James Madison died, and was buried in Montepelier. Dolley Madison is now widowed twice, and she goes to live in Montepelier where James has been buried. -
Dolley sells Montpelier
Dolley is forced to sell her house when her son, John Payne Todd, has gotten them into too much financial debt, and she must make money. She moves back to Washington DC after this. -
Dolley is Honored
Dolley receives a lifetime chair on the House Floor, permitting her to have the ability to watch all congressional debates on the flooor in which all the members sat. This was an overwhelming honor for a woman to receive. -
Dolley Madison dies
Dolley Madison dies in her home, Washington DC, at 81 years old. She was first buried in the Congressional Cemetery, but was later re-buried in Montepelier Estate in Orange, Virginia. Legend has it that it was at her funeral that the incumbent Zachary Taylor eulogized her as the "First Lady", the first time the wife of a president had ever been reffered to as that.
