Montpelier Station in Orange County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Madison Family Cemetery
Discovering Madison
Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, July 30, 2012
1. The Madison Family Cemetery Marker
"The advice nearest to my heart and deepest in my convictions is that the Union of the States be cherished an perpetuated."
-James Madison, Advice to My Country, 1834
The Madison Family Cemetery is the understated resting place for two of America's most remarkable people: James and Dolley Madison, when the last Founding Father did in 1836, Dolley, together with friends, family, and slaves, paid loving respect. Public tribute came two months later, when John Quincy Adams delivered a passionate oration celebrating the man who had formulated the Constitution and sponsored the Bill of Rights. After the death of her cherished James, Dolley moved to Washington, D.C., where she resumed her role as the city's leading hostess. When she died in 1849, nearly penniless, all of Washington turned out for her state funeral. This rare honor acknowledged the legacies of both Madisons and their profound role in shaping our nation.
Erected by Montpelier Foundation. (Marker Number 24.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Patriots & Patriotism • Women.
this page online
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 13.068′ N, 78° 10.478′ W. Marker was in Montpelier Station, Virginia, in Orange County. It was on West Gate Road, on the right when traveling west. Located in front of the Madison Family Cemetery on the Montpelier Estate. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Montpelier Station VA 22957, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in Northern Virginia and in the Piedmont. It was also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Mount Pleasant (within shouting distance of this marker); Home Farm Complex (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Madison's Farm Complex (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Madison's Farm Complex (approx. Ό mile away); Garden (approx. 0.4 miles away); Dolley Madison (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montpelier Station.
Other markers no longer nearby. Mount Pleasant c. 1750s (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The African American Cemetery (was about
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 6, 2009
2. The Madison Family Cemetery Marker
More about this marker. On the right is an illustration courtesy of the Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design, Gift of the Estate of Charlotte Parsons, captioned Mourning Picture, an early 19th-century silk and satin
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 6, 2009
3. The Madison Family Cemetery Marker
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 6, 2009
4. The Madison Family Cemetery
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 6, 2009
5. Grave of James Madison
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 6, 2009
6. Grave of Dolley Madison
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 6, 2009
7. Other Graves of the Madison Family
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 6, 2009
8. Commemorative Plaques on the Cemetery Wall
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 6, 2009
9. Commorative Plaque
In commemoration of the one hundredth
anniversary of the death of
President James Madison
June 28, 1836
erected by
The William Byrd Chapter of
Daughters of the American Revolution
into whose charge this shrine
was given in 1930
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 6, 2009
10. Dolley Payne Todd Madison
Honors
Dolley Payne Todd Madison
for her contributions to the furtherance of womanhood,
by serving her country as a gracious first lady
and a woman with great political influence
Presented May 20, 1993
by
Virginia Business and Professional Women's Foundation
and
Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and Public Policy
Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,127 times since then and 95 times this year. Last updated on April 22, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on November 26, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on November 5, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
