She helped found and was the first directress of the Washington City Orphan Asylum as the result of many children become homeless after the death of their parents during the War of 1812.

She then went to Baltimore to complete her education at Madame Lacomb's Female Academy, while staying with the lawyer Luther Martin and his family.

After returning to Washington, Madison named her husband in charge of the reconstruction of the destroyed government buildings.

Van Ness was then named the Second Directress of the Washington City Orphan Asylum (now Hillcrest Children and Family Center).

[3] They entertained the Madisons, James Monroe, George Washington Parke Custis and John Tayloe III at their mansion.

[3] Around 1822, her daughter, Ann Albertina, and her granddaughter, Marcia Helen, died and were buried at Oak Hill Cemetery.