Did you know that Dolley Madison was a widow with two children before she married James Madison? That’s right, Dolley had met and married John Todd, a lawyer, who was like Dolley, also a Quaker. After their marriage they had two children together.

Then there was the year of the yellow fever epidemic which nearly drove the government out of Philadelphia. Dolley and her two kids left John in Philly while they went out to “the country” to be safe from the disease. John, a lawyer, stayed behind to help his parents, and the residents of the city with their well-being. He wrote many wills.

Alas, John had pressed his luck too far. He succumbed to the disease, and when Dolley returned to be with John, with her new born baby and her 18 month old. John died in Dolley’s arms. Their new-born also died.

Dolley was now a distraught, but beautiful widow with one child. She later met James Madison. They were both smitten with each other and soon tied the knot. James was a 43 year old Congressman. Dolley was a 26 year old single mother. Something attracted them to each other and they had a long and happy marriage.

Dolley added pizzazz to James sometime droll personality. Oh the things that love can do!