FAULKNER UNIVERSITYJames Madison – Founding Father SUBMITTED TO DR. RICHARD TRULL, JR.IN PARTIAL COMPLETION DEBI 4311-01 CHRISTIAN CULTURAL HERITAGE PARPAUL BAUS4/6/2014James Madison YouthJames Madison was born on March 16, 1751 on his grandmother's plantation located in Virginia. His parents were visiting his grandparents at the time on the plantation 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 Virginia landowner and farmer. 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. This manor is still called Montpelier today. The plantation that James grew up on was located near a brick church that the Madison family attended. The church the Madisons attended was an Anglican church. James Madison Sr. was the church's sexton. A sexton is a person who works with the church on an administrative level. James Sr. was not a clergyman. James Jr.'s grandmother was a devout Anglican who taught him many things growing up. This is believed to be the beginning of the formation of James Madison's views. At the age of eleven, James Madison was the eldest of his siblings and he began to show serious intellectual interest. At age eleven, Madison began studying with a certain Donald Robertson. Robertson's school was located in King and Queens County, Virginia. Robertson was educated at the University of Edinburgh. Robertson ran an extremely rigorous classroom school...... middle of paper...... his life. Her father was a very wealthy farmer, so Madison did not need to have a job because her father was very generous. He often considered becoming a minister of the gospel. Madison loved God and the Scriptures and was fascinated by the proof of God's existence. He often consulted the notes of a debate he witnessed between two scholars at Princeton. William Bradford was a friend of James Madison at Princeton and they often wrote to each other for advice on the various problems they were encountering and studying. A letter he received from his dear friend William asked him what profession or field should he choose. Madison gave this advice: “I have often thought that there could be no stronger testimony in favor of religion.” He would also go on to say that traveling the cause of Christ is more important than the achievements of the world..