FAULKNER UNIVERSITY James Madison – Founding Father SENT TO DR. RICHARD TRULL, JR.IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OFBI 4311-01 CHRISTIAN HERITAGE BY PAUL BAUS4/6/2014James Madison Early lifeJames Madison was born on March 16, 1751 on his grandmother's plantation located in Virginia. His parents at the time were visiting his grandparents on the plantation which was located in King George County. James Madison Jr.'s parents were James Madison Sr. and Nelly Conway Madison. James Madison Jr. was one of twelve children. James Sr. was an extremely wealthy landowner and farmer from Virginia. He owned the largest plantation in Orange County, Virginia. James Sr.'s plantation was known for its large tobacco production. James Madison grew up in a mansion located on his father's tobacco plantation. That villa to this day is called Montpelier. The plantation where James grew up was located near a brick church attended by the Madison family. The church the Madisons attended was an Anglican church. James Madison Sr. served as sexton at the church. A sexton is a person who collaborates with the church on an administrative level. James Sr. was not a priest. James Jr.'s grandmother was a devout Anglican who taught him many things about farming. This is thought to be the beginning of the formation of James Madison's opinions. At the age of eleven James Madison was the eldest of his brothers and began to develop an interest in intellectual seriousness. At the age of eleven Madison began going to school with a certain Donald Robertson. Robertson's school was located in King and Queens County, Virginia. Robertson received his education at the University of Edinburgh. Robertson has run an extremely rigorous classroom... middle of the paper... in his life. As her father was a very wealthy farmer, Madison did not need to have a job because her father was very generous. He often thought about becoming a minister of the gospel. Madison loved God and the Scriptures and was fascinated by the proof of God's existence. She often looked at the notes of a debate she had witnessed between two Princeton scholars. William Bradford was a friend of James Madison at Princeton, and they often wrote to each other to ask for advice on various issues they were experiencing and studying. A letter he received from his close friend William asked him what occupation or field he should take up. Madison gave this advice: “I have often thought that there could not be a stronger testimony in favor of religion.” He would also go on to say that delving into the cause of Christ is more important than worldly accomplishments.