MADISON.
Madison was formed in 1792, from Culpeper. It is about 23
miles long, and 13 miles wide. It lies at the eastern foot of the
Blue Ridge, from which extend several mountains into the western
part of the county, some of the smaller of which are very
fertile. The tobacco raised on the highlands is of a superior
quality: between the mountains are fine valleys of rich bottom
land. The county is watered by the Rapid Ann and its branches.
Pop. in 1840, whites 3,729, slaves 4,308, free colored 70; total,
8,107.
Madison, the county-seat, is 97 miles NNW. of Richmond. It is
situated in the heart of the county, on a high and elevated ridge,
and commands a beautiful and picturesque view of the Blue Ridge
and the neighboring mountains. It contains 4 mercantile stores,
1 Baptist and 1 Episcopal church, and about 50 dwellings. At
the post-offices of Rapid Ann Meeting-House and Leon are a few
dwellings; the first contains a Baptist and a Free church.
The late Hon. Linn Banks, of this county, "for 20 successive years was speaker of
the House of Delegates, an office for which he was so peculiarly qualified, that he was
selected to fill it in all the mutations of party. He retired from the legislature in 1838,
and was elected to Congress in that year, to complete the unexpired term of Mr. Patton,
who was chosen counsellor. He was re-elected in 1839, and again in 1841. He served
in the extra session of 1841, and then agreed with his competitor, to submit their cause
to the people of his district. He consequently resigned his seat, which was obtained by
his opponent, the majority against him being small. He was found drowned (Feb.
24th, 1842) in a stream which he had to cross in going from Madison Court-House to
his residence, a few months after he was thus consigned to private life."
