Dolley Madison by J.J.

 

    Hi!  My name is Dolley Madison.  I am going to tell you about my life.  I was born in Guilford County, North Carolina, on May 20,1768.  I was an attractive child with blue eyes and dark hair. My parents were Quakers and lived on a tobacco plantation.  I had two older brothers, Walter and William. After that I had five younger brothers and sisters, named Isaac, Lucy, Anna, Mary and John. I went to a Quaker School with my brothers. Most families educated only their sons. My parents owned 80 slaves. They felt slavery was wrong.  In 1781 the law was changed and my parents, John and Mary Payne were among the first Quakers to free their slaves.  One slave mother, Amy refused to leave us children and stayed as a paid servant.  The person I most wanted to be like was my father, John Payne.  Freeing all his slaves caused him to go bankrupt. He did what he felt was right. My mother Mary supported the family by running a boarding in our house in our home.
       My life has been full of many successes and failures. When I felt my responsibility was to serve as America’s Hostess. The nations guests are my guests. I entertained leaders from France and England. I redecorated the White House. Some special projects were a fundraiser, board member. I helped found a young Washington D. C., home for young orphan Girls. I worked with the local catholic school and helped with the association. I persuaded the president and congress To keep Washington as a capitol rather than move it back to Philadelphia. August 23,1814 we were at war with Great Britain. My husband was with the army troops. He sent me a note telling me to pack everything I could and save the government papers. I had several trunks full of papers. I saved a picture or George Washington. I escaped to a friend’s house just before the attack on the White House. I narrowly escaped. The British burned Washington. When they left of a storm, my husband and I returned to Washington to see what the British had done. We rebuilt Washington. I did a lot of things to make life better for other people. I saved important government papers that would have been destroyed. I made the White House a more cheerful and inviting place for people to visit. I helped raise funds. I help establish a home for young orphan girls. I am kindhearted and considerate of others. I learned this from my father. He freed all his slaves. I am a handworker.  I learned this from my mother. She opened her home to boarders. I am compassionate. I help establish a home for young orphanage. I am hospitable. I like to entertain others. Some of my experiences included being First Lady. I worked with charities and raised funds to support needy causes. The greatest problem I had to overcome in was when Washington was attacked. It was my responsibility to save the government papers because my husband the president was away with his soldiers. I would not leave the White House until everything was packed and secured. If I had a message to give to the students today it would be to be a person of good character- Treat everyone fairly. Also, take pride in what you do and help others.