James Madison Sr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Madison Sr.
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Portrait by Charles Peale Polk, 1800
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| Born |
James Madison
March 27, 1723 |
| Died | February 27, 1801 (aged 77) Montpelier, Virginia, U.S.
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| Resting place | Madison Family Cemetery |
| Occupation | Tobacco planter and politician |
| Spouse(s) | Eleanor Rose Conway |
| Children | 12, including James Madison and William Madison |
| Parent(s) | Ambrose Madison (father) Frances Taylor (mother) |
| Relatives | John Madison Jr. (grandfather) Lt. Col. John Madison Sr. (great-grandfather) Richard Taylor (first cousin) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | Virginia |
| Service/ |
Virginia Militia |
| Rank | Colonel |
Colonel James Madison Sr. (born March 27, 1723 – died February 27, 1801) was an important landowner and politician in Virginia. He served as a colonel in the local army, called the militia, during the American Revolutionary War.
He inherited a large tobacco farm called Mount Pleasant. This farm later became known as Montpelier. He bought more land and eventually owned 5,000 acres. This made him the biggest landowner in Orange County, Virginia. James Madison Sr. was the father of James Madison Jr.. His son became the 4th president of the United States.
Early Life and Land Ownership
James Madison Sr. was born in 1723 in Orange County, Virginia. His parents were Ambrose Madison and Frances Taylor. When James was nine, his family moved to their new farm, Mount Pleasant, in 1732.
His father died that same year. James was then trained to manage a large farm and own slaves. This was common for wealthy families at that time. His mother, Frances Taylor, never remarried.
As the oldest son, James Madison Sr. inherited Mount Pleasant in 1744. He called his home "Home House." He bought more land over time. By the end of his life, he owned 5,000 acres and 108 slaves. This made him the largest landowner in Orange County.
Marriage and Family Life
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James Madison Sr. married Eleanor Rose "Nelly" Conway. She was also from a family of landowners. They had twelve children together.
Their children were:
- James Madison (March 16, 1751 – June 28, 1836)
- Francis Taylor Madison (June 18, 1753 – April 5, 1800)
- Ambrose Madison (January 27, 1755 – October 3, 1793)
- Catlett Madison (February 10, 1758 – March 18, 1758)
- Nelly Conway Madison (February 14, 1760 – December 24, 1802)
- William Taylor Madison (May 5, 1762 – July 20, 1843)
- Sarah Catlett Madison (August 17, 1764 – October 17, 1843)
- unnamed son (1766–1766)
- Elizabeth Madison (February 6, 1768 – May 17, 1775)
- unnamed stillborn son (July 12, 1770 – July 12, 1770)
- Reuben Madison (September 19, 1771 – June 5, 1775)
- Frances Taylor Madison (October 4, 1774 – October 4, 1823)
Role in the American Revolution
During the American Revolution, James Madison Sr. played an important part. He was the chairman of the Orange County Committee of Safety. These committees helped organize local support for the American cause. He also became a colonel in the Virginia militia, which was a local army.
