Chapter Seven

Personal Life

“Philosophy is common sense with big words.”

—James Madison

As Jefferson had his Monticello, and Washington his Mount Vernon, home to James Madison was known as Montpelier. When Madison and his wife Dolley lived there, Montpelier was run by more than 100 slaves. These servants worked inside the house and outside on the close to 4,000 acre property

The main house was built of brick, with many Classical architectural features. It was built, rebuilt and renovated many times over the years. By the time of Dolley Madison's death in 1844, the property was sold to a number of buyers who succeeded each other over the years. Then in 1901, the duPont family, who built their wealth on the gunpowder industry, bought Montpelier.

It wasn't until 1983 that the last duPont family member bequeathed Montpelier to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It has been a national monument ever since.

James Madison did not marry until he was 43 years old, which was quite unusual for his time. He married Dolley Payne Todd, who was 26 years old and a widow. Dolley had lost her first husband John Todd, in 1793, during a yellow fever epidemic. Her 3-month-old son William and her in-laws also died in the outbreak. The Madisons never had children of their own, but James did adopt Dolley's one surviving son, John Payne Todd.

James and Dolley were a loving couple. By the time they were living in the White House, Dolley became its official, first First Lady. With her decorating and social skills, she became renowned for lavish and stately dinners. In fact, when you think about accomplished First Ladies like Jackie Kennedy Onassis or Michelle Obama, I'm sure they had Dolley Madison as an inspiration. She also had served as hostess for Thomas Jefferson, when he was president; Jefferson had been a widower at the time.