Dorothy Payne, Quakeress Part 11

She lived to be eighty-one years old, and during her later years lived much in the past, amongst the old friends, of whom her family knew nothing.

She died July 12th, 1849, and her funeral services were held in St.

John's Church, the "Court Church" of Washington. They were those befitting a President's wife, and her remains were attended by the Government officials, and her many loving friends and admirers, to the Congressional Cemetery.

The Mayor, Honorable W. W. Seaton, called a special meeting of the City Council, and pa.s.sed resolutions of respect.

The _National Intelligencer_ of July 17, 1849, says: "The remains of the venerable relict of ex-president Madison, were removed from her late residence, Lafayette Square, to St. John's church, yesterday afternoon, at 4 o'clock. The rector of the church, Rev. Mr. Pyne, delivered an eloquent and just eulogy on the life and character of the deceased, which was listened to with deep interest by a dense congregation, including the President of the United States, the Cabinet officers, gentlemen of the army, the Mayor and City Council, and many distinguished citizens and strangers." Her body was afterward[67]

removed to Montpellier, where, after "life's fitful fever" the gift of sleep is hers.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Franklin Stove]

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 64: Inventory of Dolly's property at the time of her death gives:

Amount in bank $22,000 Household furniture and plate 900 Books 500 Pictures and portraits (4 Gilbert Stuarts) 5,000 Negro slaves 2,000 ------- Total $30,400]

[Footnote 65: Owned by Mrs. Eugenia W. M. Brown.]

[Footnote 66: The dotted copy of this first message is given in Prime's Life of Morse.]

[Footnote 67: In 1858, accompanied there by her nephew, Gen. R. D.

Cutts.]