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The MadisonsOne of the most loved presidentual families

James MadisonJames Madison was quiet and shy. He was the shortest of the presidents and constantly sick. He grew up on Montpelier and is best known for being the Father of the Constitution and our fourth president. Mr. Madison was a gifted writer and polition. He had rheumatiod arthritis, but that didn’t stop him from doing great things.

Dolley MadisonDolley Madison was bubbly and loved to entertain. She always dressed in the fashions of the day and loved to party. Before she met James Madison, she was widowed and left with Payne, her child. Mr. Madison married her, and she moved to Montpelier. She was the First Lady for Thomas Jefferson and then again for James Madison. She saved a priceless painting of George Washington before the White House was burned in the War of 1812. She was heartbroken when Mr. Madison died. She lived at Montpelier for a while, but couldn’t stand being there without Mr. Madison and moved to Washington D.C. Several people kept up the farm, but it wasn’t doing well. Payne, however gambled and lost a lot of money. Dolley needed money and was nearly penniless, so she was forced to sell everything, including Montpelier itself. Dolley lived in D.C. for the rest of her life. Everyone in D.C. loved her and her death was quite sad. Everyone in Washington mourned for her and she was greatly missed.