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

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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
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SKU: 38882632745

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Michelle Kim
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★★★★★ 4
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Size: X-Small, Color: Teething Bone
The Nylabone New Puppy Starter Kit is a solid all-in-one solution for the first few months of puppy ownership. It comes with multiple chew toys and bones designed specifically for teething puppies, and my little one took to them right away. The variety keeps him engaged, and I appreciate that each item is designed to be gentle on developing teeth while still satisfying his urge to chew. What differentiates this kit from other puppy chew sets on Amazon is the thoughtful selection of textures and shapes. It’s clear these toys are designed to stimulate gums, promote healthy chewing habits, and even support dental care. I also like that everything is non-toxic and durable enough to survive a few enthusiastic chews. The only reason I didn’t give 5 stars is that the kit might be a bit small for larger breeds, or for puppies that are particularly aggressive chewers. But for standard small to medium pups, it’s a fantastic starter kit that keeps both puppy and owner happy. ✅ Bottom line: A reliable, well-designed starter kit for teething puppies which is thoughtful, durable, and engaging. Makes a great gift for new puppy owners or a practical addition to your own puppy’s toy collection.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2025
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Valarie Amundsen
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 5
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Size: X-Small, Color: Ring Bone
My dog loves this little chewy bone and it’s good for her teeth. That was very cheap on a sale. It’s worth giving it a try highly recommend it.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2026
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princeton von d
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 3
Chicken Flavor Good, But 🔄 Rotation-Resistant✖; Best for Simpler Chewers
Size: X-Small, Color: Ring Bone, Size: X-Small, Color: Ring Bone
🐾 Hi, I’m PVD; plush sophisticate, chew critic, and active curator of rotational toy relevance. This ring bone and I never fully bonded. I sampled it maybe five times in my entire puppyhood before quietly returning it to the bin (with a single judgmental glance). Still, it does have value for the right pup. ⭐ Why I originally wanted to love it: ✔️ XS size works well for very young puppies ✔️ Chicken flavor lasts impressively long ✔️ Freezing offers temporary gum relief ✔️ Durable and safe; no odd odors or shredding 🌀 Why it’s now a respectful 3-star chew in my rotation: ✘ Never became a go-to toy (5 uses max in my life) ✘ Ring shape felt awkward, not natural or chic; hard to grip and maneuver ✘ Texture too tame vs. nubs or detailed chew surfaces ✘ When I was smaller, I much preferred the Nylabone Baby Blue Bone Chew Toy with nubs (my personal classic), and have since matured into nightly Nylabone “Nubz” edible bones This Ring Bone is Best For: • Very young puppies with minimal chew preferences • Dogs who like simple textures and circular shapes • Those just starting enrichment chew play • Freezer treat rotations (briefly) 🚫 Not ideal for: picky pups, advanced chewers, or dogs who analyze toy ergonomics (like myself). 📝 Final Re-Barks: A strong, well-made chew, but lacked the intrigue to make my permanent rotation. Works for basic chew enjoyment; not for pups with elevated taste or toy ambition. — PVD (Chew Strategist, Textural Analyst & Aspire-to-Vine Reviewer 🐶💼)
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Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2025
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Kaitlynne Lynch
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My small puppy loves this bone! I originally purchased this for a larger dog, but my small 10 pound puppy loves it more. It’s good quality and a softer material for puppies!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2026
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★★★★★ 4
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Gave this to my 11 week old pittie, and she did significant damage within 15 mins. She left a pile of chewed bits on the couch but thankfully didn't eat them. Definitely don't leave unsupervised. That said, she LOVED it and it seemed to help her teething gums so, I'm still giving it a 4/5 Puppy pics for tax
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