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Dolley Payne's Birth
Dolley Payne was born on May 20, 1768 in North Carolina. Her parents, Mary Cole Payne and John Payne, Jr., were both Quakers. After Dolley was born, the family moved to Virginia, where she grew up on a plantation. -
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Dolley Madison
Dolley Payne was born on May 20, 1768 in North Carolina. Her parents, Mary Cole Payne and John Payne, Jr., were both Quakers. After Dolley was born, the family moved to Virginia, where she grew up on a plantation. Dolley dies at the age of 81 in Washington, on July 12, 1849. She dies in debt from her son, John Payne Todd, taking and spending all her money. -
First Marrage
Dolley Payne, at the age of 22, married John Todd, on January 7, 1790, in Philadelphia. John Todd was a lawyer and he was requested by her father to marry Dolley. While they lived there, they had two sons, John Payne Todd in 1792 and William Temple Todd in 1793. -
Yellow Fever
From August to November, Yellow Fever killed about 5,000 people in Philadelphia. Her husband, John Payne, and son, William Temple both were victoms. She was then left widowed to take care of her son, John Payne Todd, alone. -
Second Marrage
Dolley was a well liked person in Philadelphia. James Madison asked Aron Burr, a friend, to introduce him to her. James Madison was in the Contentental Congress at the time. They became good friends and he later proposed to Dolley in May, 1794. They married on September 5, 1794. Also, James was willing to support her son, John Payne. -
Political Years
NO DATE OTHER THAN 1797
James Madison retires from the House of Representatives in 1797. Dolley and James then leave Philadelphia to go to Madison’s plantation, Montpelier, in Virginia. -
Washington, D.C.
The United States capital is changed from Philidalphia, PA, to Washington, D.C. The capital was named after George Washington, the first president. D.C. stands for District of Columbia. -
Jefferson Presidency
When Jefferson became third president in 1801, he then named James Madison his Secretarty of State. Dolley and James then moved to Washington, D.C. Jefferson was a widower, so Dolley often helped him host public events. -
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Madison's Presidency
When Madison came into office, Britain and France were at war. He wanted war against Britain, but Congress didn't have a prepared army. The army tried to fight off British troops, but was defeated. In 1812, he ran for re-election and won against DeWitt Clinton. Britain still was attacking merchant ships and New England threatend to secede. Dolley continued and expanded her role of hostess, both redecorating the mansion and entertaining at dinners and events during Madison' presidency. -
War of 1812
On August 24, 1814, British soldiers tried to burn down the White House. Dolley insisted on saving the large portrait of George Washngton and succeeded in moving it from the residence. With her help, many other valuables were saved from the fire. -
Debtors Prison
NO DATE
John Payne goes to debtors prison in Philadelphia sometime in Spring of 1830. Dolley and James had to bail him out. He had a gambling problem, and was an alcoholic. John never had a real job. He only relied on Dolley to pay for his damage. -
Selling her Property
NO DATE OTHER THAN 1836
In 1836, she was forced to sell Madison's plantation Montpelier. As well as the property, she sold nine slaves to the new owner of Montpelier, Henry Moncure. After that, she gave about 40 more slaves to John Payne Todd, her son. She couldn't pay for the property, as well as the slaves, because of her son wasting her money. -
James Dies
James Madison dies of old age on June 28, 1836. During his lifetime, he achieved many great things. He became known as "The Father of The Constitution", became the fourth president, and more. -
Moving Away
NO DATE OTHER THAN 1844
After selling her beloveid Montpelier, she moved back to her cute row townhouse. It was one of the properties owned by her first husband, John Todd. It's across the street from the White House and is stil there today. -
Madison's Papers
NO DATE OTHER THAN 1848
Before Madison died, Dolley and him edited his papers. It was full of notes, drafts of the constitution, letters, and an audobiography. Congress bought The James Madison Papers from Dolley. She had been trying to sell them for years. She also helped with publishing the papers. -
Dolley Dies
Dolley dies at the age of 81 in Washington, on July 12, 1849. She dies in debt from her son, John Payne Todd, taking and spending all her money. -
John Payne Todd Dies
John Payne Todd dies at the age of 59.
