When Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826; see entry in volume 1) took office as president in 1801, he had been a widower for nearly twenty years. His daughter, Patsy, teamed with future first lady Dolley Madison (1768-1849; see entry in volume 1), the spirited wife of Jefferson's secretary of state James Madison (1751-1836; see entry in volume 1), to help host social occasions.

Festivities at the Presidential Palace (as the White House was called back then) under Jefferson did not demand much effort from the host and hostesses. Jefferson was quite informal, sometimes greeting foreign dignitaries in casual clothes and slippers. Guests at social functions were not formally announced. They were sure to arrive as early as possible: Seating at many dinners was not prearranged, often leaving guests to scramble in a first-come, first-served format.

Things probably would have been different had Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson lived to see her husband become...