James Madison University - Bluestone Schoolmaam Yearbook (Harrisonburg, VA)

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dolly madison the nation ' s hostess When Jefferson was President and Madison was his Secretary of State, the President frequently invited Mrs. Madison to assist his daughters in pre- paring for social functions and in enter- taining the numerous guests. Later, when the Madisons themselves were hosts in the Presidential mansion, Mrs. Madison displayed rare grace and skill. Her wit and vivacity pleased the most distinguished, while her unaffected cor- diality and generous attentions put the humblest at their ease. She was perhaps the most popular First Lady, and has been well termed by one biographer The Nation ' s Hostess. X When the British came charg- ing from Bladensburg town, Brave Dolly the last from her mansion came down ; And then she ran back to snatch from its frame George Washington ' s portrait, thus saved from the flame. THE WAR OF ISI2 AND THE WHITE HOUSE FIRE

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After preliminary experiences in the Revolutionary conventions and in the General Assembly of Virginia and in Continental Congress, he won his chief title to fame in the Philadelphia convention of 1787. There his quiet but persistent array of historic fact outweighed the im- petuous eloquence of the brilliant young Hamilton and won the admiration of the venerable Franklin. He emerged as Father of the Constitution. PLANNING THE CONSTITUTION The great little Madison in love remained free, A bachelor shy, for years forty-three ; But then the fair Dolly exerted her charm — She gave him her heart, her hand, and her arm. COURTSHIP OF JAMES AND DOLLY James Madison and Dolly Payne Todd were mar- ried at Harewood, near Charles Town, in the 1 iwer Shenandoah Valley, the home of Dolly ' s sister, Lucy Payne Washington, September 15, 1794. Harewood had been the home of Colonel Samuel Washington, who had five wives. He might have had more, but he died at the age of forty-seven. HAREWOOD The bride and groom spent part of their honey- moon at Belle Grove, on Cedar Creek, the home of the groom ' s sister. Nelly Madison Hite was the wife of Major Isaac Hite, an officer of the Revolu- tion. BELLE GROVE

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From halls of state and sounds of strife They found retreat in sylvan dell ; Montpelier ' s hospitable life Befitted years of leisure well. RETURN TO MONTPELIER The Madisons, aided by suggestions from Lafayette and others, lai d out spacious gardens, which time and fame have made historic. Their beauty has been enhanced by the assiduous care of subsequent owners. FORMAL GARDEN AT M0NTPEL1ER The Blue Ridge kisses azure skies, O ' er Piedmont hills to verdure given. While fair Montpelier ' s towers rise Within a squirrel ' s leap of heaven. MONTPELIER ' WITHIN a SQUIRKEL ' s LEAP OF HEAVEN '