Call Number:

C1224

Repository:

Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division

Extent:

• 1 box
• 0.2 linear feet

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); John Payne Todd Correspondence, Box and Folder Number; Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Date:

1810-1824 (bulk) and 1792-1824 (inclusive)

Creator:

Todd, John Payne, 1792-1858

Form:

Correspondence -- 19th century

Abstract:

Consists of selected correspondence of John Payne Todd, stepson of President James Madison.

John Payne Todd was the son of Dolley Payne and her first husband John Todd. After Todd's death, Dolley Payne married President James Madison, making John Payne Todd Madison's stepson. Todd had a weakness for gambling, and was unsuccessful in an assignment seeking Russia's help to end the War of 1812. After the death of President Madison, Dolley Madison was forced to sell the family plantation, Montpelier, to pay her son's debts.

The collection consists of thirty-five letters sent to John Payne Todd from various correspondents. Subjects of the letters include official business, dinner invitations, his appointment in Ghent (Belgium) as secretary to the U.S. legation, and his mother, Dolley Madison. Among the correspondents are James Baker, John S. Cogdell, Dennis L. Cottineau, J. Erky, George W. Ewing, John Goulding, John Graham, P. Irving, J. J. Kane, Thomas Law, Gilbert Russell, Gabriel Shaw, H. Sommervile, D. B. Warden, and John Wilkes, Jr. Several letters are addressed to Payne at "the President's house," and there are also two letters addressed to Todd's father, John Todd, dated 1792.

Folders are arranged in chronological order.