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Birth
Dolley Payne was born in the Quaker community of Guilford County, North Carolina, to parents John Payne and Mary Cole Payne. -
First Marriage
Dolley Payne marries John Todd, a lawyer in Philadelphia. John Todd is also a Quaker. -
Yellow Fever Epidemic
Dolley Payne Todd's first husband and second son, an infant, die of yellow fever. She is left a widow, with a son, two years of age. -
James Madison and Dolley Payne Todd meet
As Dolley was in very high social circles, she had many friends. One of her friends was Aaron Burr. He was also a friend to James Madison. Aaron Burr introduced Dolley and James, and began their courtship. -
Marriage Proposal
Dolley Payne Todd accepts a marriage proposal from James Madison. -
Second Marriage
Dolley Payne Todd becomes Dolley Madison when she marries James Madison, two and a half months after meeting him. -
Jefferson's Presidency
Dolley madison served as Jefferson's hostess after James Madison became Secretary of State for Thomas Jefferson's presidency. -
The Madison Campaign
Dolley Madison campaigns for James Madison while he runs for president. -
James Madison's Inaugural Ball
Dolley Madison was the first First Lady to host the inaugural ball. -
James Madison's Death
When James Madison died, he was buried at Montpelier, his plantation estate, where he left everything to Dolley. -
John Payne Todd's Debt
Due to her son's extreme debt, Dolley is forced to sell Montpelier, along with surrounding plantation land, to get her son out of debtors' prison. -
Dolley Madison's Death and Reburial
Because James Madison was buried at Montpelier, Dolley wanted to be buried there as well. However, she had sold the property, and had to be buried at the Congressional Cemetery. She was later reburied next to James Madison.