Page:The part taken by women in American history.djvu/262

Rh When Mr. Monroe was Governor of Virginia Mrs. Monroe presided over the executive mansion with so much distinction that she won great popularity. She was eminently fitted to fill the position of First Lady of the Land when her husband succeeded James Madison as President, after the War of 1812. The White House in Washington was not what it is to-day, and Mrs. Monroe's health was poor during their residence there, but one of their pleasures was the entertaining of La Fayette, when he visited the United States in 1824. Their youngest daughter, Maria, was married in the East Room in March, 1820, to her cousin, Samuel L. Gouverneur, of New York.

After the expiration of Mr. Monroe's eight years in the White House, they retired to Oak Hill, their beautiful home, in Loudon county, Virginia, where Mrs. Monroe continued her benevolence and care of those dependent upon her and the unfortunates of the community about them. She died suddenly in 1830, beloved by all who knew her.

Louisa Catherine Adams was born in London, February 12, 1775. Her father, Mr. Johnson, of Maryland, then resided in England. Upon the breaking out of the Revolutionary War he declared his loyalty to the side of the patriots in America, accepting a commission from the Federal government as a commissioner to audit the accounts of all official functionaries of the United States in Europe, and' removed his family to Nantes, France. Still in the service of his country after the independence of the colonies had been recognized, he returned to London, where he continued to reside until 1797, faithfully representing his native land. His daughter, Louisa Catherine, had consequently exceptional educational opportunities in her youth.