# 479 - 1916-17 $2 Madison, dark blue
Series of 1916-17 $2 Madison
Printed by: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Flat plate
Watermark: None
Perforation: 10
Color: Dark blue
Birth Of Dolley Madison
Dolley’s family lived in Hanover County, Virginia, where her father was a planter. A bright and outspoken young girl, Dolley was greatly affected by the Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, Declaration of Independence, and the suffering at Valley Forge. In 1783, Dolley’s father freed his slaves and moved his family to Philadelphia to give his children better educational opportunities and to be closer to the family’s Quaker roots.
On January 7, 1790, Dolley married John Todd, Jr., a lawyer from Philadelphia. Together, they had two sons, John and William. In 1793, a yellow fever epidemic broke out in Philadelphia. Todd convinced Dolley to move out of the city with their son John, while he remained in the city to help the sick. Todd and their son William died shortly after.
In 1801, James Madison was appointed Secretary of State, a position he held for eight years. During that time, President Thomas Jefferson, whose wife had died before he was elected, asked Dolley to fulfill some of the duties usually performed by the First Lady. She planned and oversaw a number of functions, quickly becoming well known for her style, hospitality, and energetic personality. During this time, Dolley used her public exposure to enhance fundraising efforts for exploring the Louisiana Territory.
By 1809, Dolley was a popular and well-known hostess and her husband was the newly elected President of the United States. Shortly after the election, the Madisons hosted the first presidential inaugural ball, a tradition that is held to this day.
Dolley set a high standard for future First Ladies. She established the role of the First Lady as not just an entertainer, but as a philanthropist as well. One of her projects included a fundraiser to build a home for young, orphaned girls.
In 1817, the Madisons left the White House, returning to their Montpelier, Virginia, plantation. James Madison died in 1836. The following year, Dolley moved back to Washington, D.C., where she was given an honorary seat in Congress. She was the only private citizen to sit on the Congressional floor while it was in session. She was also the first private citizen to send a message via telegraph.
Series of 1916-17 $2 Madison
Printed by: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Flat plate
Watermark: None
Perforation: 10
Color: Dark blue
Birth Of Dolley Madison
Dolley’s family lived in Hanover County, Virginia, where her father was a planter. A bright and outspoken young girl, Dolley was greatly affected by the Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, Declaration of Independence, and the suffering at Valley Forge. In 1783, Dolley’s father freed his slaves and moved his family to Philadelphia to give his children better educational opportunities and to be closer to the family’s Quaker roots.
On January 7, 1790, Dolley married John Todd, Jr., a lawyer from Philadelphia. Together, they had two sons, John and William. In 1793, a yellow fever epidemic broke out in Philadelphia. Todd convinced Dolley to move out of the city with their son John, while he remained in the city to help the sick. Todd and their son William died shortly after.
In 1801, James Madison was appointed Secretary of State, a position he held for eight years. During that time, President Thomas Jefferson, whose wife had died before he was elected, asked Dolley to fulfill some of the duties usually performed by the First Lady. She planned and oversaw a number of functions, quickly becoming well known for her style, hospitality, and energetic personality. During this time, Dolley used her public exposure to enhance fundraising efforts for exploring the Louisiana Territory.
By 1809, Dolley was a popular and well-known hostess and her husband was the newly elected President of the United States. Shortly after the election, the Madisons hosted the first presidential inaugural ball, a tradition that is held to this day.
Dolley set a high standard for future First Ladies. She established the role of the First Lady as not just an entertainer, but as a philanthropist as well. One of her projects included a fundraiser to build a home for young, orphaned girls.
In 1817, the Madisons left the White House, returning to their Montpelier, Virginia, plantation. James Madison died in 1836. The following year, Dolley moved back to Washington, D.C., where she was given an honorary seat in Congress. She was the only private citizen to sit on the Congressional floor while it was in session. She was also the first private citizen to send a message via telegraph.