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Dolley's Birth
Dolley Payne was born in New Garden, North Carolina in Guilford County. She was originally born a Quaker and a daughter of John and Mary Payne. -
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Dolly Madison
Dolley Payne Madison grew from a Quaker to a well known female figure in the United States who effected the birth of our nation. -
The Revolutionary War strikes
Towards the end of the war, Dolley's parents decided to sell their plantation in Virginia and moved their family north, where they also freed their slaves. After the Constitutional Convention took place in 1787, Dolley first saw James Madison, who, not knowing, would eventually become her husband. This is important because if they never moved and Dolley never met James Madison, Dolley would not be known today as a important figure that effected the nation today. -
Dolley's First Marriage
Dolley married John Todd, a lawyer, after the request of her father in Philadelphia. This was important because if she didn't marry him, she wouldn't of had a son that would cause her trouble later in life. -
John Payne Todd Is Born
Dolley and John Todd have their first son, John Payne Todd. This is important because if he was not born, Dolley would of never been effected with financial problems in the future. Due to John Payne's drinking problem and incapability to pay off his debts, he eventually goes to debtors' prison. -
William Temple Todd Is Born and There Is An Outbreak Of The Yellow Fever Epidemic
John and Dolley have their second son during the middle of the Yellow Fever epidemic. They move to Gray's Ferry in South Philadelphia afterwards. This was important because after the outbreak, John Payne is her only man left in the family, making Dolley a widow at the age 25, and eventually she will find room for James Madison in her heart. -
Dolley Payne Todd Meets James Madison
James Madison wanted to be introduced to Dolley by Aaron Burr at the Payne boarding house. James and Dolley begin their friendship and become very close. This is important because without her meeting him, she would not be seen as a known figure. -
James Madison Proposes and Dolley and James Are Married.
James Madison proposes to Dolley and she accepts. Dolley and James Madison, who was a U.S Representative, get married in Virginia. As a result of their marriage, Dolley is dismissed from the Quaker community. This is important because since she married James, she will be seen in the government and will make an impact on it. -
Thomas Jefferson Is Elected President When The Capital Is Moved Back To Washington, DC
When Thomas Jefferson's elected 3rd President of the United States, Jefferson asked Madison to be his secretary of state. He accepts and the Madison's move to Washington, DC. This was important because Dolley would serve as Jefferson's hostess(First Lady) in the house which would boost her popularity in government. -
Jefferson's Rein Is Over, James Madison Is Elected
James Madison is inaugurated 4th President of the United States. Dolley becomes the first lady to host the Inaugural Ball and becomes well known. This is important because Dolley contributed to the decoration of the White House and promotes her husband, increasing his popularity as President. -
The War of 1812 Begins
During the war, when the British army was close to the White House, Dolley took the Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington in the state dining room, knowing the British were going to put the White House on fire. This is important because Dolley showed her love for the nation when she took the portrait of the man who created our nation, in which she became famous for it today. -
James Madison Retires From Office
After the war, in 1817, James Madison retires from office and moves his family back to the Montipelier Plantation. -
Problems With John Payne Todd Madison
Dolley's son, John Payne, went to debtors' prison in Philadelphia and in order to pay off his debts, the Madison's sold half their land and mortgaged half of the Montpelier plantation. -
Dolley Made Some Money
After James Madison's death, Dolley made some money by organizing, coping, editing and having seven volumes of the Madison Papers published over the coarse of a year, making $55,000 as payment. In 1848, Congress purchased the papers. -
James Madison Dies
James Madison dies and is buried at Montipelier, leaving Dolley as a widow once again with her son John Payne Todd Madison. -
After James Madison's Death
A year after James Madison's death, Dolley moved back to Washington into a house on Lafayette Square. John Payne was left in charge of Montpelier, but due to his alcoholism, he was unable to maintain the proclamation. Dolley tried to sell the rest of the papers to make money and keep the plantation, but there was no buyers and had to sell Montpelier and the slaves. -
The Honorary Seat
In 1844, Dolley was given a lifetime seat on the house floor. She frequently viewed sessions. This honorary seat changed the way she was seen and became known throughout the nation. -
Dolley Payne Todd Madison Dies
Dolley dies in Washington D.C and is buried in the congressional cemetery. She was 81 and was later buried where she originally wanted to be, at Montpelier, next to her husband. -
The Countries First Lady
After Dolley Madison's death, President Zachary Taylor recognized her as the "Country's First Lady", believed to be the first known public term spoken in history.
