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Princeton University Library Collection of James and Dolley Madison Materials
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Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
Dolly Madison was born Dolley Payne in Guilford County, North Carolina, on May 20, 1768. Her parents were Quakers, and her first marriage was with John Todd, a Quaker lawyer in Philadelphia, with whom she had two sons. After Todd died during the 1793 yellow fever epidemic, Dolley married James Madison (1751-1836), who then represented Virginia in the United States House of Representatives and later became President of the United States from 1809-1817. She played a major part in establishing the role of the First Lady of the United States, working with the architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe to furnish the White House and fostering bipartisan cooperation by inviting members of both political parties to social functions. After Madison's presidency ended, the couple returned to the Montpelier plantation in Orange County, Virginia. Dolley moved back to Washington, D.C., after the passing of her husband and lived there until her death on July 12, 1849.
Madison, James, 1751-1836.James Madison was a statesman and the fourth president of the United States. Born in 1751 in Port Conway, Virginia, he studied history and government at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), where he graduated in 1771. Madison was active in the framing of the United States Constitution in 1776, and served in the Continental Congress and the Virginia Assembly; he is considered to be one of the founding fathers of the United States. His collaboration with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay on the Federalist essays contributed to the eventual ratification of the Constitution, and helped to shape the Bill of Rights and to enact the first revenue legislation. Madison served as President Thomas Jefferson's secretary of state and was elected president in 1808. Under his administration, the United States prohibited trade with Britain, leading to the War of 1812 and the eventual collapse of the Federalist party. He stepped down from the presidency in 1817 and died in 1836. Madison was first engaged to Catherine Floyd; and on September 15, 1794, he married Dolley Payne Todd.
This open collection consists of selected material of President James Madison (Princeton Class of 1771) assembled from various sources, including a manuscript, letters, and documents, as well as some correspondence and a document of Dolley Payne Todd Madison, and a small amount of material created by others about James Madison. In a four-page autobiographical manuscript, James Madison discusses his ancestors, his education, and some of his writings. John Boyle, Lewis Condict, Benjamin Harrison, Robert R. Livingston, David McClure, Jedidiah Morse, Richard Paterson, and Horatio Gates Spafford are among the addressees of Madison's letters, some of which appear to be first drafts. Among the documents are several Ohio land grants, a passport, ship papers for the ship Avon, a handwritten Pittsburgh deed executed by the U.S. Congress, and a document appointing John Mason as tax assessor in Vermont. Some of the documents are counter-signed by Secretary of State James Monroe. Also included is material about miniatures of Madison and his then fiancé, Catherine Floyd, done by Peale. There are also engravings of James and Dolley Madison, including one by J. C. Chapman and autographed by James Madison. Dolley Madison's correspondents include the Baroness Hyde de Neuville, C. M. Johnson, J. Mason, Aaron H. Palmer, C. M. J. Smith, and John Taylor. There is also an autograph note to Daniel Webster, as well as a signed document appointing Andrew Stevenson as her attorney in London, dated October 23, 1838.
This collection was formed as a result of a departmental practice of combining into one collection manuscript material of various accessions relating to a particular author or subject.
Deed for a lot in Pittsburgh was a gift of David P. Black in 1898 (AM 548).
Letter to R. C. Wrightman was a gift of Lawrence C. Woods, Jr., Princeton Class of 1922, on January 3, 1984 (AM 84-46).
Letter of James Swan was a gift of E. E. Rankin, Princeton Class of 1909, on June 8, 1937 (AM 1446).
Letters of William Madison were purchased on April 30, 1945 (AM 12902).
Letter from Baroness Hyde de Neuville dated Oct. 22 was a gift of Walter N. Rothschild, Princeton Class of 1913, on November 12, 1956 (AM 18181).
Letter to Robert R. Livingston (1805 September 28) and engraved portrait of James Madison were acquired from the collection of Samuel H. Austin (American Art Association) (AM 9354).
Biography written by Jessica Marati, '08.
Finding aid revised by Kelly Bolding in March 2018.
The collection title was updated by Kelly Bolding in April 2021 to reflect Dolley Madison's role as co-creator.
No appraisal information is available.
People
Subject
- Publisher
- Manuscripts Division
- Finding Aid Date
- 2002
- Access Restrictions
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This collection is open for research use.
- Use Restrictions
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Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to RBSC Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.
Collection Inventory
Consists of correspondence and writings of James Madison, legal documents bearing his signature, and materials created by others about him.
Physical Description2 boxes
Consists of autograph autobiographical notes and a photostat copy of an essay by James Madison.
Physical Description1 box
Consists of four pages of autograph notes by James Madison regarding his ancestry, education, and writings. There is also a photostat copy of the notes included in the folder.
Physical Description1 folder
Consists of two photostatic copies of a manuscript held by the Library of Congress.
Physical Description1 folder
Arranged alphabetically by correspondent, followed by a group of miscellaenous photocopies.
Consists of selected correspondence of James Madison, primarily from Madison to others. While most items are original, there are some photocopies.
Physical Description1 box
1 box
One autograph letter from James Madison to the President of the American Whig Society.
Physical Description1 folder
Photocopy of a letter from James Madison.
Physical Description1 folder
Two autograph letters from James Madison about an anticipated visit and "a college about to be established near Charlottesville."
Physical Description1 folder
Autograph letter from James Madison to a Philadelphia taylor, along with a typescript transcription.
Physical Description1 folder
Autograph letter from James Madison.
Physical Description1 folder
Autograph letter from James Madison, 1824 March 27; and an autograph letter to James Madison, 1802 December 14.
Physical Description1 folder
Autograph letter to an unknown person about the unemployment of the sons of Mrs. Dallas.
Physical Description1 folder
Autograph letter from James Madison including a copied extract from a letter from General William Irvine to the Secretary of War (Fort Pitt, October 28, 1782), with a newspaper clipping.
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
Autograph letter (duplicate manuscript copy) from James Madison announcing the formal delivery of Louisiana to the United States and payment for the same.
Physical Description1 folder
Autograph letter from James Madison (1805 September 28), relating to the case of William Lewis, along with a signed engraved portrait of James Madison (circa 1809-1817).
Physical Description1 folder
Autograph letter from James Madison, along with a photostatic copy, regarding Girard College.
Physical Description1 folder
Six autograph letters to James Madison from his brother.
Physical Description1 folder
Autograph letter from James Madison, along with a cover sheet, regarding American Indians and the constitution of the "Society for the Benefit of the Indians."
Physical Description1 folder
Autograph receipt from James Madison, along with a photostatic copy.
Physical Description1 folder
Autograph letter from James Madison, asking aid in giving answers to a communication.
Physical Description1 folder
Autograph letter from James Madison, along with a photostatic copy.
Physical Description1 folder
Autograph letter from James Madison, mentioning the new edition of the Geographical Dictionary of New York.
Physical Description1 folder
Autograph letter to James Madison.
Physical Description1 folder
Autograph letter from James Madison.
Physical Description1 folder
Autograph letter from James Madison expressing a wish to see the Legislative Journals of 1784-1787 and deploring in general the disappearance of printed documents.
Physical Description1 folder
Autograph letter from James Madison, along with a typed transcription.
Physical Description1 folder
Consists of photocopies, photostats, and typewritten transcriptions of miscellaneous letters and notes by James Madison for which originals do not exist in the collection. Includes photocopies of letters and notes to Mr. Sedgewick, Mr. Ferguson, David Lenox, and John Stanwick.
Physical Description1 folder
Arranged alphabetically by name.
Consists of various documents bearing James Madison's signature, including land grants and deeds, ship papers, a passport, and an appointment.
Physical Description2 boxes
Printed document with autograph additions and signed by James Madison.
Physical Description1 folder
Printed document with autograph additions and signed by James Madison.
Physical Description1 folder
Ship papers for the Brig. Avon giving its captain, Joel Manlove, permission to transport 142 tons of flaxseed and tobacco. Includes the same text in four languages (English, French, Spanish, and Dutch). Signed by James Madison as President and James Monroe as Secretary of State.
Physical Description1 folder
Printed document with manuscript additions and signatures appointing John Mason as principal tax assessor for Vermont's first district. Signed by James Madison as President and James Monroe as Secretary of State.
Physical Description1 folder
Manuscript deed executed by the government of the United States for certain lots in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Signed by James Madison as President and James Monroe as Secretary of State.
Physical Description1 folder
Printed document with autograph additions and signed by James Madison as Secretary of State.
Physical Description1 folder
Consists of various materials created by others about James Madison.
Physical Description1 box
Consists of two engraved portraits of James Madison, one painted by J.G. Chapman, engraved and printed by J. Sartain, Philadelphia, and published by Franck Taylor, Washington City (1834); and one painted by Otis, engraved by Neagle, and published by S.C. Atkinson for the Casket (undated).
Physical Description1 folder
Consists of handwritten and typewritten notes and photographs documenting the history and provenance of a miniature portrait painting of a young James Madison, which Madison gave to his then fiance Catherine Floyd. The clippings describe the miniature being displayed at Princeton University in 1937.
Physical Description1 folder
Consists of correspondence and a document of Dolley Madison.
Physical Description1 box
Arranged alphabetically by correspondent.
Physical Description1 box
1 box
Autograph letter to Dolley Madison.
Physical Description1 folder
Autograph letter from Dolley Madison, along with an engraved portrait of Dolley Madison ("D.P. Madison / From the original painting by Chappel in the possession of the publishers / Johnson, Wilson & Co., Publishers, New York").
Physical Description1 folder
7 autograph letters to Dolley Madison.
Physical Description1 folder
4 autograph letters from General J. Mason.
Physical Description1 folder
Photostatic copies of 2 letters from Dolley Madison and of a receipt for Richard Elliot (undated).
Physical Description1 folder
1 autograph letter to Dolley Madison.
Physical Description1 folder
6 autograph letters to Dolley Madison.
Physical Description1 folder
2 autograph letters to Dolley Madison.
Physical Description1 folder
1 autograph from Dolley Madison accepting an invitation to dine.
Physical Description1 folder
Manuscript draft of a document, written and signed by Dolley Madison, appointing Andrew Stevenson as her attorney.
Physical Description1 folder