We Were Always Free: The Maddens of Culpeper County, Virginia: A 200-Year Family History
SKU: 38882632745

We Were Always Free: The Maddens of Culpeper County, Virginia: A 200-Year Family History

Sale price$17.59 Regular price$19.54
Save 10%

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 7 - Jul 12

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

We Were Always Free: The Maddens of Culpeper County, Virginia: A 200-Year Family HistoryIn August of 1758, in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, a poor Irish immigrant named Mary Madden bore a child, Sarah Madden, whose father was said to be a slave and the property of Colonel James Madison, father of the future president of the United States. This daughter, though born a free mulatto, became indentured to the Madisons. There she worked as a seamstress to pay off the fine of her birth until she was 31 years old. Sarah Madden bore ten

In August of 1758, in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, a poor Irish immigrant named Mary Madden bore a child, Sarah Madden, whose father was said to be a slave and the property of Colonel James Madison, father of the future president of the United States. This daughter, though born a free mulatto, became indentured to the Madisons. There she worked as a seamstress to pay off the fine of her birth until she was 31 years old.

Sarah Madden bore ten children and when the term of her indenture was over, she and her youngest son, Willis, struck out for themselves--Sarah as a seamstress, laundress, and later, with Willis, a dairy farmer and tavern keeper. Stories of Willis and Sarah were passed down in Madden family lore through the generations--their hard work, their business sense, their ability to overcome obstacles, poverty, illiteracy, prejudice. This is the chronicle of those generations, a 200-year history of a kind unusually complete in American history. Two factors make it so--that Sarah Madden and her offspring kept their stories alive, and that they saved hundreds of important documents of their freedom, hardship, and daily work.

These documents came to light in 1949 when author T.O. Madden, Jr. (great great grandson of Sarah Madden) conceived a powerful desire to know more of his bygone generations. He began to investigate, and his search for family brought him to a hidebound trunk originally belonging to his great grandfather Willis. Its contents brought tears to his eyes. Stored there, awaiting discovery, were papers dating back to the mid-eighteenth century, freedom papers, papers of indenture, deeds of land, Sarah Madden's laundry and seamstress record books, letters, traveling passes. In addition, the leather trunk held an exciting, full set of business records for the days of the nineteenth century when Madden's Tavern flourished as a center of activity in Orange County and as a place for travelers to rest on the road to Fredericksburg.

Since that day, T.O. Madden, Jr., has been deeply researching his family, using census reports, other official sources, familly, and friends. All have led to his ably reconstructed family history, and to his own remarkable story. We Were Always Free is a unique and very American family saga.



Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Published: 06/17/1992
ISBN: 9780393350128
Pages: 256
Weight: 0.71lbs
Size: 8.50h x 5.50w x 0.57d
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 38882632745

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.9 ★★★★★
Based on 2105 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
T
Verified Purchase
Trevor Helbert
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 5
Great feel good suit
Size: Large, Color: Red With Goden
My husband looked so good in this. The color was popping. The size was true to fit and he’s very tall. Feels so soft and didn’t wrinkle at all. Very good material and fabric. Cheaper than I thought
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2026
R
Verified Purchase
ROBERT LASHLEY
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 5
Best Dressed in the building!
Size: XX-Large, Color: Black With Golden
Love this tux, got it for my daughters wedding. Good material and fits great.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2026
T
Verified Purchase
Trina2Cute
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 1
Poor Quality
This suit was for my nephews school dance. The look is great however, its not of good quality. The material is cheap and looks as though it should be a costume. When my nephew tried it on it looked baggy. I returned the suit but have yet to receive a refund.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2024
C
Verified Purchase
Che
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 5
My son usually wears a Xl in men's clothing, suggests to go up 1 size to be safe
Size: XX-Large, Color: Navy With Blue, Size: XX-Large, Color: Navy With Blue
My son and I picked this suit out for his prom night coming up in May 2026. He trird it on and it fits, looks, and feels great on him!!! Color was spot on to what we wanted.. And how the picture looks is how it exactly came. He ordered a XXL, is 5'9" and weighs 235lbs
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2026
R
Verified Purchase
rose
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Awesome Suit!!
I purchased this suit for my boyfriend to wear to a party. I ordered an XL, he is 6'6" and 230lbs, initially the fit was fantastic and looks amazing but after wearing it and moving around in it for about 30 minutes, the pants started to slip down. The fabric has quite a bit of spandex in it and tends to stretch out after wearing for a little bit, it fits great right after it has been dried but then stretches out again. I ended up taking in the waist a little bit so the pants stay up, a large would likely have been a better fit. But he always looks amazing when he wears it and gets lots of compliments on the fun pattern. Definitely worth it!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2024

recommand products