She wrote to her husband constantly during his many long absences from home on government business, keeping up his morale.
No woman could have been better prepared for the position of first lady than Mrs. Adams. The years she had spent with her husband during his government missions in @Paris and @London had taught her a great deal about social and political life. For example, she was the first American woman to be presented at the @British @Court.
In 1800, the capital was moved from Philadelphia to Washington, then a town in the wilderness. Mrs. Adams was the first president's wife to live in the new executive mansion. This was not exactly a pleasure, though, as the building that would be called the White House was unfinished, damp, and uncomfortable. Although she complained privately, Mrs. Adams made the best of the situation. All told, though, she was happy to leave public life in 1801, although her husband bitterly resented it. They returned to their home in Braintree, where they enjoyed 17 years of peace and companionship.
Thomas Jefferson had no official hostess. @Martha @Wayles @Skelton, a noted Virginia beauty, had died 19 years before her husband became president, and of their six children, only two daughters lived. Duties were shared by his surviving daughters, Martha Jefferson @Randolph, the wife of @Thomas @Mann Randolph, and @Maria Jefferson @Eppes (known as @Polly), who was married to John @Wayles Eppes. @Dorothea (Dolley) @Madison, wife of Jefferson's secretary of state, and other wives of his cabinet members also helped run the White House's social affairs.
By all accounts, Jefferson was a good father. He carefully supervised his daughters' schooling, manners, and dress. Mrs. Randolph took a more active part in the social life of the White House than her sister. Her extensive travels and years of education abroad, and her association with her father and his friends, had prepared her to be mistress of the White House. Mrs. Eppes, the beauty of the family, was very frail.
After Maria Eppes' death, Mrs. Randolph and her family moved into the White House to help ease Jefferson's grief. They all accompanied President Jefferson to @Monticello, his beautiful house in Virginia, on his retirement. There Mrs. Randolph acted as her father's companion and hostess.
Dolley Madison later became an actual first lady, and of them all, none has had a greater reputation for grace and charm than she. These qualities made her one of the best-known American women.
Dolley Madison was brought up in the @Quaker faith. Her first husband died in the yellow-fever epidemic in 1793. The blue-eyed, black-haired young widow had many suitors, but the "great little Madison," 17 years older than she, won her. She supplied all the social graces that her brilliant but quiet husband lacked.
The 8 years of Madison's presidency were filled with colorful parties and receptions. Mrs. Madison seemed able to make everyone feel at home. She remembered the names and faces of everyone she met.
Madison's second term in office saw the troubled years of the War of 1812. When the British attacked Washington, Mrs. Madison was one of the last people to leave the White House. Before she fled to safety, she packed trunks of important state papers and rescued the famous @Gilbert @Stuart painting of George Washington, which hung in the White House.
Unlike Martha Washington and Abigail Adams, Dolley Madison thoroughly enjoyed being first lady. She loved Washington and never wanted to be any other place. In her later years, when she was a widow with little money, she remained "Queen Dolley" to her many friends. The most important men in Washington came to her home to pay their respects.
Beautiful @Elizabeth @Kortright of New York City was 17 when she married James @Monroe, a Virginia lawyer. She spent much of her early married life in various capitals in @Europe, where her husband served as United States representative.
The @Monroes were very popular in @France, where the graceful, blue-eyed Mrs. Monroe was known as la belle @AmΘricaine ("the beautiful American"). She played a dramatic part in saving @Madame @Lafayette, the wife of America's great friend, the @Marquis de Lafayette, from the guillotine during the @French @Revolution. Riding in the official carriage of the United States legation, she went to the Paris prison in which Madame Lafayette was awaiting execution. Mrs. Monroe demanded to see the prisoner. This action demonstrated the interest of the United States in the case. Madame Lafayette was released soon after.
Although she was a good hostess, Mrs. Monroe's years as first lady were not completely successful. A combination of poor health and a desire for privacy caused her to limit her social activities. And Washington society, accustomed to Dolley Madison's lavish hospitality, was critical of Madison's successor. In time the unpleasantness passed, but the Monroes were pleased to return to their lovely home in Virginia after 8 years in the White House.
Their younger child, Maria, was the first president's daughter to be married in the White House.
