4. MADISON

                                                  Library of Congress

  1. NAME – James Madison
  2. NICKNAME(S) – Short Stack  /  Dolley’s Husband  /  Little Jemmy  /  Father of the Constitution
  3. BIRTH / DEATH – March 16, 1751  Port Conway, Va.  /  1836 –  Montpelier, Va.
  4. FATHER – tobacco farmer
  5. MOTHER – housewife
  6. COLLEGE – Princeton
  7. WIFE – Dolley
  8. KIDS – one stepson
  9. PETS – macaw  (Polly) 
  10. RELIGION – Episcopalian
  11. ANCESTRY – English
  12. AGE – 57

FIRSTS:

–  first President who had been a Congressman

MA AND PA:  He grew up on his father’s 5,000 acre estate called Montpelier.  He inherited it.  His mother lived to 98 and was healthy until the end.

BACKGROUND:

–  home schooled and then University of Princeton

–  member of the Virginia Constitutional Convention  1776

–  Continental Congress  1780-83

–  delegate to the Constitutional Convention –  Father of the Constitution

–  Congressman 1789-97

–  Secretary of State under Jefferson 1801-1809

–  President 1809-17

FIRST LADY:  She came from a devout Quaker family.  She was given private schooling and went to Quaker schools.  Her first husband died of yellow fever.  She called her husband Little Jemmy.  She was called “Lady Presidentess.”  Historians consider her the most famous presidential hostess.  She hosted elegant parties.  She introduced ice cream to the U.S.  Not only was she First Lady, but she advised several hostesses after her.  She used snuff.

RETIREMENT:  He retired to Montpelier and died 19 years later.  Dolley had to sell Montpelier to pay off debts run up by her son.

TRIVIA:

–  he is on the $5,000 bill

–  he was the smallest President –  5’4”, 100 pounds

–  after the burning of the Executive Mansion (as the White House was called back then), they lived in the Octagon House (home of the French Minister) and then a house at 19th and Pennsylvania Avenues

–  he was so small that his wife Dolly would sometimes piggyback ride him to chase the kids around the White House lawn

ANECDOTES:

DOLLEY SAVES GEORGE

            When a British army approached Washington, James Madison rode to the sound of the guns.  Dolley was left in charge of the Executive Mansion.   She had dinner prepared by the servants, expecting her husband back any time.  Suddenly, a messenger arrived with word that her husband and his soldiers had not been able to hold the British.  She was to escape as soon as possible.  Wagons were packed with valuables, including draperies, books, and silverware. Then she noticed the portrait of George Washington that hung in the dining room.  Servants were unable to get the frame down, so the portrait was taken out and rolled up.  She also grabbed a copy of the Declaration of Independence and her pet parrot and got out of town, just ahead of the British.  British soldiers ate the meal laid out on the table of the President’s House.

–  maroon 98