DOLLEY MADISON: AN AMERICAN ORIGINAL

Top 2. Apr 21, 2000 11:07 AM

» Mugwump53 - Womens' Roles in History

Thank you for the kind words. Good reviews are always appreciated.

Dolley was a truly remarkable woman. she had a far greater effect on history than is commonly known, all the more remarkable because women did not have nearly the opportunity as did the men.

I am always amazed at how much the women of that era played an important role compared to those of later years. I am speaking of all the stories from Molly Pitcher to Abagail Adams and Dolley Madison. And let's not forget specific acts such as Elizabeth Monroe going alone to the Bastille to publicly support Mme. Lafayette, an act which saved her from the guillotine. (A subject of a future article)

Thanks again for your support.

John S. Cooper
Editor, Presidents & First Ladies

-- posted by Mugwump53

Top 3. Apr 22, 2000 8:07 AM

» Brian Tubbs - Absolutely

The women in the early part of America's history are vastly underrated in their influence on the events of the time. When I read the writings of some of the early women, including and perhaps especially Abigail Adams, I can't help but think that many of them were smarter (proportionately-speaking) than most of the American population today (male and female). Contrary to the myth that the women of that era were universally "barefoot and pregnant" and deprived of all opportunities in education and professional trades, Dolley Madison and Abigail Adams (and many others who are not as well known) were very much the equal to their husbands in intellect (in my opinion). One only needs to read the correspondence, for example, between John and Abigail to see that John didn't have much on his wife. She was highly intelligent, and John knew it. There was a definite mutual respect in that relationship. And you have, of course, already shown the considerable strength of Dolley Madison in her marriage to James. I don't think any historian would argue that he would've gone as far as he did without her.

Bottom line: I don't think the men of that day were as "sexist" as today's PC historians would have us believe, and the women of that era were far more intelligent and capable of taking up for themselves than they are today given credit for.

-Brian Tubbs
Contributing Editor
American Revolution & Founding Era

-- posted by Brian Tubbs

Top 4. Jul 16, 2002 11:00 PM

» FortBrooke1824 - very informative

Again you have brought to life an important figure in American History. Have you ever seen a picture of Dolly? How did that line go in "Saving Private Ryan?" It looks like she hit every limb of the ugly tree on her fall down. I can still remember seeing her photo in the Matthew Brady book while being a teenager. However maybe she would look better now that i am almost 50. LOL No joking aside she would not win a beauty contest. Then again beauty back then is not what it is today. I am sorry for pickin' on Dolly i am happy to know that she had a wonderful personality.

-- posted by FortBrooke1824

Top 5. Jul 17, 2002 3:36 PM

» Mugwump53 - Re: very informative

In response to message posted by FortBrooke1824:

I don't know how many limbs she hit on the way down, but you must remember that most pictures of her were made later in her life. The famous photographs of her were made shortly before her death after a very long life.

Actually, she was described as quite a beauty in her youth.

-- posted by Mugwump53