Deborah Read was born about 1707 to John Read, a British carpenter, and his wife Sarah White Read. It’s said that she received little formal education. Almost nothing else is known about her childhood.
Sarah Livingston Jay, wife of American Founding Father John Jay, was considered one of the first socialites in the United States. She was exposed to American politics at an early age.
Dolley Madison was born in a Quaker community in North Carolina on May 20, 1768 to John and Mary Coles Payne. She is often credited with saving the portrait of George Washington when the British attacked the Capitol in 1814 when 4,000 British troops began landing in Maryland during the War of 1812.
Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson, was the wife of the third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson. Among the few remaining examples of her handwriting is a precise ledger of the plantation’s main cash crop, tobacco, suggesting she worked with Jefferson more as a full partner in this aspect of life at Monticello.
Martha Washington, the first First Lady was born Martha Dandrige, on June 2, 1731. As first lady, she initiated a weekly reception, held on Friday evenings hosting members of Congress, visiting dignitaries, and men and women from the local community. She enjoyed riding horses, gardening, sewing, playing the spinet and dancing.
