Born about 1655 in St. Stephen's Parish, New Kent, Virginia

Husband of Isabella (Minor) Madison — married 1690 in King and Queen County, Virginia

Descendants

Died before 24 Mar 1726 in St. Stephens Parish, King and Queen, Virginia

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Biography

The identification of John Madison and Isabella Minor Todd as great grandparents of President James Madison comes from a hand-written pedigree chart ascribed to James Madison himself.

A digital image of the original pedigree is available through the Library of Congress. It may have been donated to the Library of Congress by Mrs. Mary Madison McGuire of Washington City, who had the original in her possession at the time it was published in the W&MQ.

A land patent dated 24 Sep 1680 was the first record of John Maddison the ship carpenter.^[1] On 16 Apr 1683, John MADISON Jr acquired 430 acres on the north side of the Mattopany River and 300 acres was granted John Madison Snr on 18 Mar 1662 at St. Stephen's Parish, New Kent County, VA.^[2]

On 20 Jan 1705/6, John and Isabella sold 300 acres to George Purchase. The next day, Isabella granted power of attorney for Henry Madison to acknowledge her signature on the deed, witnessed by John Madison Jr at King William County, VA.^[1] In 1714, John was listed as a Justice for King & Queen Co, VA. The John Madison who was sheriff was probably his son John Madison III.^[3] On 1 Apr 1717, John obtained 1860 acres with 5 other men at King and Queen County, VA.^[1] John died before 24 Mar 1725/26 at VA when a land patent to his son John Madison III called him deceased.^[4][3]

He married Isabella circa 1680 at VA. Their children (surname Madison) include:^[5]

1. John III - b. between 1680 and 1685, d. before 5 Nov 1734; m. Ann
2. Elizabeth - b. circa 1685, d. after 1741; m. John PENN Sr
3. Thomas - b. before 1694, d. 20 Jan 1754, Inv. 10 Jul 1755; m. Joanah
4. Ambrose - b. circa 1696, d. 27 Aug 1732; m. Frances TAYLOR
5. Henry - b. circa 1698, d. before Aug 1757; m. Elizabeth COLEMAN
6. Eleanor - b. circa 1704, d. before 22 Feb 1758; m. James COLEMAN
7. James - b. before 1707

NOTE: That his wife Isabella was born a Todd has been disputed. See her profile for discussion.

Research Notes

Regarding birth location, King and Queen was not formed until 1691 out of New Kent County.

"The Bulk of the influential men in Virginia at the time, were composed of merchants from English cities and ship captains. To this class belonged the first John Madison, who in a patent dated Sept. 1682, calls himself 'Ship Carpenter. He had the following grants: 1658, 300 acres in Westmoreland Co.; 1653, 600 acres on North side of Mattapony River... In Sept. 1682: of 'Saint Stephen Parish, New Kent.' He died before Apr. 16, 1683, since at that time John Madison, Jr., patented--part thereof 300 acres, 'formerly granted to John Madison, Sr., deceased'. This John Madison [Jr] was sheriff of King and Queen co. in 1704. There is a deed on record in King William Co., dated 1706, from John Madison, of St. Stephens Parish, K.& Q Co., and ISABELLA his wife. There is of King William Co. (cut from K.& Q., in 1701). John Madison & Isabella (Todd) his wife, had issue. (1) Ambrose (g.f. of Pres.) (2) Capt. John."

"The Andrea file [what is this?], p. 23, A&B, shows John Madison, (Jr) m. ISABELLA MINOR TODD. to the right he has listed "Elizabeth?" Ambrose (the ? is his). He erred in assuming that her mother was an Ambrose, and that she had been married to a Minor. Proof of this is found in Emperor Charlemagne's Descendants, v. II, Gen.Pub. Co., Inc., p. 178:

"Isabella Todd, youngest child, b. in VA 1670; m. John Madison II, was dau of Ann Gousuch, b. at Walkern, Herts, Eng., Mar. 13, 1638/9, d. at 'Toddsbury,' Gloucester Co., VA, between May 24, 1694 and Nov. 10, 1697; m.(1) CAPT. THOMAS TODD, b. at Denton Co, Durham, Eng., d. at sea, 1676; He came to VA Feb. 22, 1653; m.pr. 30 May 1677, Ann Gorsuch, dau. of Rev. John & and Ann Lovelace Gorsuch, D.D. Ann dau of Sir William Lovelace, Knt. & Anne Barnes; The trace goes on to Charlemagne and of course beyond."

According to Madison researcher Robert Allen, Isabella was NOT daughter of Anne Gorsuch and Capt. Thomas Todd whose daughter was named Averilla and married someone else.^[3]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Genealogy.com, discussion list, Robert Allen, "John Mad(d)isons of VA," 3 Apr 2000.[1]
2. ↑ Genealogy.com, discussion list, Margaret Amundson, "Ambrose Madison (Halifax County Virginia)," 13 Sep 2006.[2]
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} Robert Allen, "Madisons of Colonial Virginia (Revised)," (article, San Jose, CA, 6 Dec 2002), p 5-6.
4. ↑ Gary Boyd Roberts, compiler, Ancestors of American Presidents, (Santa Clarita CA: Carl Boyer 3rd in cooperation with NEHGS, 1995), p 10; giving d. 1728.
5. ↑ Margaret R Amundson, "Who Did Elizabeth Taliaferro, Daughter of Margaret French and Robert Taliaferro, Marry?," The Virginia Genealogist, (AmericanAncestors.org: NEHGS, 1997), (1997), 41:13 footnote; giving "John2 Madison and Isabella his wife had at least five sons, John, Ambrose, Henry, Thomas, and Roger. Several daughters are attributed to them also. One may have been a daughter who married a Camp."

• Source: U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900
• Source: "Emperor Charlemagne's Descendants, v. II, Gen.Pub. Co., Inc., p. 178."
• “The Madison Family Tree,” Founders Online, National Archives (http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/01-01-02-0063-0001 [last update: 2016-03-28]). Source: The Papers of James Madison, vol. 1, 16 March 1751 – 16 December 1779, ed. William T. Hutchinson and William M. E. Rachal. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1962, pp. 4–6.
• Excerpts from Pres. James Madison's personal notes re his beginnings.
• Named in account book of 1726-7

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