Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, May 26, 1860
From a photograph by Whitehurst
OUR GALLERY OF DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN LADIES.
MRS. STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS.
WE present this day the second portrait in Our Gallery of Distinguished American ladies. Mrs. Stephen A Douglas, ne Cutts, by her beauty, talents and social position, has been for several years one of those whose movements have been noted in the higher political circles, in view of the possibility of her one day presiding over the social and political hospitalities of the White House. In Washington her home has been the centre of attraction for all the beauty, wit, fashion and talent of this and other countries. Her influence is felt far and near, and all who have been admitted to her charmed circle freely acknowledge the fascinations of her graceful, dignified and kindly courtesies. She was married to Judge Douglas in 1857, and sympathizing cordially with the noble ambition of her husband, has entered, heart and soul—so far as a refined and sensitive woman may—into that interest which may result in elevating him to the highest position in the gift of her country.
On November 20, 1856, Douglas married a second time, to 20-year-old Adele Cutts, a southern woman from Washington, D.C, She was the daughter of James Madison Cutts, a nephew of former President James Madison, and Ellen O’Neal, a niece of Rose O’Neal Greenhow. Her mother was from a Maryland Catholic family and raised Adele as a Catholic. With Stephen’s approval, she had his two sons baptized as Catholic and reared in that faith. She had a miscarriage in 1858 and became ill. The following year, Adele gave birth to a daughter, Ellen, who lived only a few weeks. (Wikipedia)