James Madison University - Index

James Madison University - Liberty & Learning - Index

national archives
PhiliP Bigler
piedmont, princeton, and an educated citizenry
The Fry-Jefferson Map of Virginia, 1751. Virginia had four distinct geographical
zones—tidewater, the piedmont, the valley, and the mountain west. The most
desirable tobacco plantations were located on the navigable rivers of the tidewater
because they had quick access to the Atlantic Ocean.
her sister colonies. What relationship Ambrose Madison had with his slaves is
unknowable, but shortly after his arrival at the Mount Pleasant estate, he fell seriously
ill, apparently poisoned. Madison died on August 27, 1732, and three slaves
were arrested “for feloniously Conspiring the Death of Ambrose Madison.” 6 Ultimately,
one was hanged, and the other two received twenty-nine lashes each. 7
At 32 years old, Ambrose’s widow, Frances, was left to manage the frontier plantation
on her own and never remarried. Her eldest son, James Madison (the father
The historical road
marker along U.S.
301 that indicates
the birthplace of
James Madison.
Madison was born at
his mother’s ancestral
home at Port
Conway, Virginia, on
March 16, 1751.
13
of the president), gradually
assumed greater responsibilities
for running the estate
as he grew into maturity. He
frequently traveled to Port
Royal and Port Conway, two
tobacco ports on opposite
shores of the Rappahannock
River, to conduct business. 8