Noel Gerson describes Dolly Madison's life, from the time she is born, through her life with James Madison, the fourth President of the United States, until her death, all the time emphasizing her remarkable traits: honesty, imagination, kindness, and egalitarianism. In The Velvet Glove, Noel Gerson describes the life of Dolly Madison, wife of the fourth President of the United States, James Madison, and the woman for whom the title “First Lady” was created.
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Dorothea Madison, the third child [of nine who lived] and first daughter of John Payne, Jr. and Mary Coles Payne, was born on May 20, 1768 in New Garden, North Carolina. Her parents were observant Quakers and aristocratic Virginians, who were spending 18 months on property they owned in NC. Dolly's two-year old brother, William, could not pronounce “Dorothea”, so she was always known as “Dolly”.
Although Dolly's Grandfathers Payne and Coles are members of the Church of England, her parents are drawn to the Quaker faith, and, in 1764, become members of The Society of Friends. They live and raise their children according to the Society's strict discipline. They wear plain clothes and do not wear jewelry. It is not at home that the seeds of “elegant dressing” are planted in Dolly. Both of her grandmothers are clothes-conscious; it is from them that she “…gained an appreciation of such expensive fabrics as corduroy, velvet, and a mixture of linen and silk.” In addition, from her Grandmother Coles, Dolly learns about the preparation of food, how to treat servants with consideration, and the art of putting one's guests at ease. These skills were invaluable later on when Dolly was the wife of James Madison, Secretary of State and, then, President of the United States.
While growing up Dolly knows many of the men who are influential in the early government: Patrick Henry is a cousin; Thomas Jefferson is a close family friend; James Madison dines in the family home. She is not awed by them, since she knows them since childhood.
At the end of the Revolutionary War Dolly's parents are concerned about their finances: their plantation is no longer profitable; they cannot afford tutors for their large number of children; the local schools are inadequate. Of even more concern, whatever profits they do get from their plantation are dependent upon the institution of slavery which, as Quakers, they oppose. They are, therefore, in an ethical and financial dilemma.
They conceive of the idea of moving to Philadelphia, which is then the official capital of the United States, the largest city in the country, and the center of Quaker activity. In 1781, Dolly goes with her parents to Philadelphia to assess the possibility of moving there. Even though their finances are reduced [they do not clear as much on their southern plantation as they hope and they set most of their slaves free], in May, 1783, the month, of Dolly's fifteenth birthday, the family moves.
Although they have a much smaller house [“only” eighteen rooms] and many fewer servants, Dolly is enthusiastic about the move. She knows that her future lies in getting married and that Philadelphia is “…a magnet for America's most important, wealthy, and powerful men.”
Dolly enters a Quaker school with her younger sisters and brothers. However, she finds that she is poorly prepared and leaves school after a year. This is all to the best, since she is needed at home. With a large family, reduced finances, and few servants, Dolly's mother needs her to help run the house and cook the meals [with inexpensive cuts of meat, and vegetables].
It is during these years that Dolly becomes an accomplished cook [in later years she is known as America's finest cook] and begins her career as an amateur dressmaker. She is still a Quaker, so her clothes are somewhat austere, but she learns to harness her lively imagination within the boundaries of good taste.
On January 27, 1790, Dolly marries John Todd, a sober and conscientious, twenty-five year old lawyer with as many clients as he can handle, and no interest in politics. He owns his own house at 83 Chestnut Street, only two blocks from the Payne home and, best of all, is so enamored of Dolly that he is willing to waive the traditional dowry. Nine months later Dolly gives birth to her first child, a son named Payne Todd. She spoils him to such an extent that he remains the bane of her existence for the rest of her life. In the autumn of 1792 she becomes pregnant again. Shortly after the baby's birth both he and Dolly's husband die of yellow fever.
The list of condolence callers is long and prestigious: Martha Washington; Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson; Vice President John Adams and his wife; Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Jay; and James Madison, among many others. The official period of mourning is three months.
At 43 years of age, James Madison is a confirmed bachelor,; Philadelphia mothers are tired of trying to make matches with their eligible daughters. However, Madison is smitten by Dolly, who is 17 years his junior. He sends Dolly a formal note requesting “…the rare privilege of calling upon Mrs. Todd.” Dolly is astonished but agrees. Dolly asks her good friend Elizabeth Collins Lee to chaperone; Elizabeth is present at the meeting and hears the topics of their conversation: the Philadelphia weather; the poor quality of silk currently being imported from France; kitchen gardens in Virginia; their hatred of slavery; and the most effective ways of training house dogs.
Dolly wavers but Madison's suit is unrelenting. They marry on September 15, 1794. Everyone who knows the couple says their marriage is “…the happiest and most successful of love matches.”
For the next 42 years, until Madison's death on June 28, 1836 at age 85, his health, happiness, and well-being are Dolly's primary concerns. She supervises his diet, protects him from too many visitors [both social and political] and does everything in her power to foster his career. She is an outstanding hostess, with the fine art of making all of her guests comfortable, no matter how humble or elevated. Her culinary successes delight everyone. To receive an invitation to a social event of Dolly Madison's is a major triumph, whether she is the wife of the legislator, the Secretary of State, or the President.
Her kindness and courage make her a legend. Her heroism is best known when she saves government papers and important paintings [including Gilbert Stuart's portrait of George Washington] when the British burn the White House in 1814.
She is a very great lady.
Best part of story, including ending:
I liked this story because Dolly Madison lives by her principles even though they are sometimes not fashionable.
Best scene in story:
It is 1814, towards the end of the War of 1812; the British are approaching the White House. At the last minute, and to considerable peril to her safety, Dolly Madison saves the important government papers and paintings [including Gilbert Stuart's painting of George Washington, while neglecting her personal papers, clothes and jewels.
Opinion about the main character:
Dolly Madison stands by her commitments, especially those to her husband, even when she would prefer to act differently.
