A Tale of Two Stepsons

George Washington and James Madison never had any biological children, but they each had a problem child stepson. We explore the lives of the "voluptuous" Jacky Custis and the debauchery enthusiast John Payne Todd and how they affected their famous stepfathers and mothers. Sources: My original (and unfairly harsh) article about Jacky Custis: George Washington's Disappointing Stepson Letters between Jonathan Boucher and George Washington - Founders OnlineLetter from James Madison to John Payne Todd - Founders OnlineThe Bad Boy: Payne Todd by William SealePayne Todd: Prodigal SonYou Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington by Alexis CoeDolley Madison's Son Payne Todd: The Final Blow by Feather SchwartzMrs. James Madison: The Incomparable Dolley by Ethel Stephens Arnett Show notes and sources at plodpod.com   Join our Patreon family at https://www.patreon.com/ploddingthroughthepresidents for exclusive bonus content! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices