The original printed slip of what is now called the "Dolly Madison message" is carefully preserved in the Thomas family, as is also that first copy of the message, "What hath God wrought." The return copy was given by Miss Ellsworth to General Seymour of Connecticut, and by him deposited in the Hartford Museum, as Miss Ellsworth was from Connecticut.
For years Dolly had attended the Episcopal church of St. John's, half a square from her house, of which her sister Anna had become a member. It was shortly before her death that its rector, Mr. Hawley, "persuaded her of her wish" to become a communicant, and she was accordingly baptized with considerable ceremony.
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 passed 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.
Franklin Stove
FOOTNOTES:
[64] Inventory of Dolly's property at the time of her death gives: