Brookeville in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
In This House
August 26-27 1814
President
James Madison
and
Richard Rush
Attorney General • were sheltered after the burning by the British of the public buildings at Washington
August 24-25, 1814
Erected 1914 by the Montgomery County Committee of the National Star-Spangled Banner Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Landmarks • Notable Events • War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #04 James Madison series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 24, 1814.
Location. 39° 10.916′ N, 77° 3.453′ W. Marker is in Brookeville, Maryland, in Montgomery County. Marker is on Market Street, 0.1 miles east of North Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 205 Market Street, Brookeville MD 20833, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Madison House (here, next to this marker); Bentley House (a few steps from this marker); The Miller's Cottage (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Brookeville (within shouting distance of this marker); Briggs House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Thomas House Site (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brookeville.
More about this marker. Marker is on the wall of the house, to the left of the front door.
Regarding In This House. This house is a private residence.
Also see . . .
1. Madison House. Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties, M:23-65-2. (Submitted on April 5, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)
2. Maryland Town Celebrates Its 15 Hours Of Fame By: Rebecca Sheir September 6, 2013. By Rebecca Sheir, September 6, 2013, WAMU Radio. (Submitted on April 5, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)
3. (PDF) Thomas-Bentley House (Madison House). Catherine C. Lavoie, Historic American Buildings Survey, HABS No. MD-1375, 2011. (Submitted on April 5, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)
Additional commentary.
1. Caleb Bentley House (Madison House)
Caleb Bentley and his first wife Sarah Brooke Bentley moved into this house around 1800. The house had been built by Richard Thomas a few years earlier. Caleb Bentley was Brookeville's first postmaster and kept a store. The Bentley's were Quakers who opposed the war of 1812 and indeed all wars. But on the evening of August 26, 1814, Caleb and his second wife Henrietta opened their house to President Madison, and a large party including twenty dragoons who had fled Washington on the 24th. President Madison arrived in Brookeville after failing to rendezvous with US Troops at Rockville. He had spent two days traveling through the northern Virginia countryside. Mrs. Bentley reportedly slept on the floor with her little daughter so the president could use her bed. On the 27th, Madison heard from Secretary of State Monroe and upon learning that the British had left the Capital returned to Washington, having spent 15 hours in Brookeville.
— Submitted April 5, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 20, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,695 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 20, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 5, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.