Dolley Payne Madison

Dolley and Dolley's Sugar Cookies

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Dolley Payne Madison*

President James Madison*

Daniel Webster once said, "There is no permanent power in Washington, other than Dolly Madison."

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First Ladies - 1800 to 1850

First Lady Dolley and President James Madison
First Lady from - 1809 - 1917
Quotes from Dolley -

• "It is one of my sources of happiness never to desire a knowledge of other people's business."
• "There is one secret, and that is the power we all have in forming our own destinies."

Factoids -

• Dolley loved strawberry ice cream.  It was hard to make in those days with no refrigerators, but she served it frequently at the White House - maybe with her famous sugar cookies.
• She saved Washington's portrait from the British during the War of 1812.
• James Madison was the smallest president at 5' 4"; he never weighed over 100 pounds, even after eating all that ice cream and cookies!
• Always the style-setter, Dolly often wore a turban! It was her trademark.

Bio - 

• Dolley married John Todd, her first husband at 21.  He and both of their sons died of yellow fever in 1793.   In 1794, she married James Madison, then Secretary of State to President Jefferson.  As President Jefferson was a widower, Dolley had many opportunities to host White House dinners and events.​
• Dolley was a celebrity, loved by the public.  Her nickname was, "Lady Madison".  Inventor, Samuel Morse, invited Dolley to be the first private citizen to send a telegram. She even received an honorary seat in Congress, enabling her to watch Congressional debates.

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• Dolley didn't have a formal education, but she was well-read and able to converse on many topics. White House events were popular, because Dolley was such a diplomat at entering her guests' political arguments.   She gathered people together at the White House and had them sit together, have some wine, and behave themselves, despite any political differences. Dolley was also a master at leading conversations to support the President's point of view, all while entertaining in style!
• Dolley was influential for future First Ladies and Presidents. She believed American citizens were her responsibility, as well that of her husband. She started the First Lady tradition of having a civic cause.  Dolley's  project was establishing a home for orphaned girls.  The orphanage still exists today in Washington, D.C.
• The food legend of Dolley's love for strawberry ice cream is that Dolley heard of a new dessert in Delaware and went to taste it.  Sallie Shadd, a former enslaved woman, had a food catering business and became famous for her dessert creation of frozen cream, sugar, and fruit.  After Dolley tasted it, strawberry ice cream was served at President Madison's second Inaugural Ball and seemed to be the official White House dessert.

About James - James Madison, the 4th President, is often called the "Father of the Constitution" for his role in drafting and promoting the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. During his Presidency,  the War of 1812 against Britain, tested the nation's strength and resulted in a sense of national unity. Madison's leadership helped solidify the United States' independence.

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Dolley's Sugar Cookies

Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 tablespoon milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
extra flour or powdered sugar for rolling dough

Steps

1. Stir, whisk, or sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in mixing bowl.  Put aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix together softened butter and sugar until light and creamy.
3. Add slightly beaten egg, milk, and vanilla.
4. On low speed, gradually add flour mixture until all is mixed together and pulls together.  If the dough seems too sticky, add a tablespoon of flour. 
5. Divide the dough in half and wrap in waxed paper or parchment paper.  Chill in refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
6. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and prepare cookie sheets by greasing or lining with parchment paper.
7. Place 1 of the refrigerated dough halves on a floured surface, or one sprinkled with powdered sugar. Roll out the dough to 1/4-inch thick.
8. Cut dough into shapes with cookie cutters or circles, with a drinking glass rim.  Put them about 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets.
9. Bake for about 8 minutes or until cookies are brown on the edges.  You may want to rotate the cookie sheet at about 4 minutes into baking, to get even baking.
10. Let cookies rest on the cookie sheet a couple of minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

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*Portrait Credits
Dolley Madison - National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Locket - Yale, Unidentified painter, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
James Madison - John Vanderlyn, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons