47 moments

1. Birth at the Monroe family home

   1758-04-28 · James Monroe Family Home Site, near Monroe Hall, Virginia, British America

   

   Monroe was born in rural Westmoreland County, Virginia, beginning a life that would span military service, diplomacy, and the presidency. Coordinates represent the marked James Monroe Family Home Site near Monroe Hall.

2. Enrollment at the College of William and Mary

   1774-06-01 · College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, British America

   

   His uncle Joseph Jones brought Monroe to Williamsburg and enrolled him at the College of William and Mary, where he entered Virginia's revolutionary political milieu.

3. Raid on the Governor's Palace

   1775-06-24 · Governor's Palace, Williamsburg, Virginia, British America

   Monroe joined other Virginia militiamen in seizing arms from the Governor's Palace as revolutionary resistance intensified in Williamsburg.

4. Continental Army enlistment

   1776-01-01 · Williamsburg, Virginia, British America

   

   Monroe left college to join the 3rd Virginia Regiment, beginning his active Revolutionary War service. The source identifies the enlistment period but does not explicitly name the enlistment site; Williamsburg is used because Monroe was then studying at the College of William and Mary.

5. Battle of Trenton

   1776-12-01 · Trenton, New Jersey, British America

   

   Monroe fought in the surprise attack on the Hessian garrison at Trenton, where he was seriously wounded and subsequently promoted to captain. The source supports December 1776 but not a more precise date in the quoted passage.

6. Retreat across the Delaware

   1776-12-07 · Delaware River at Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania–New Jersey, British America

   As a lieutenant in the 3rd Virginia Regiment, Monroe participated in the Continental Army retreat across the Delaware after the fall of Fort Washington. Coordinates mark Washington Crossing as a representative crossing-area point; the source does not identify the precise river crossing.

7. Battle of Brandywine

   1777-01-01 · Brandywine Battlefield, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, British America

   Serving on Lord Stirling's staff, Monroe fought at Brandywine and formed a close friendship with the Marquis de Lafayette. The article establishes his presence at the battle but the quoted passage does not give a more precise date.

8. Recovery and recruiting in Virginia

   1777-01-01 · Virginia, British America

   

   After being wounded at Trenton, Monroe returned to Virginia to recover and attempt to recruit a company of soldiers. Representative coordinates for Virginia; the source does not identify a specific locality.

9. Winter encampment at Valley Forge

   1777-01-01 · Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, British America

   Monroe spent the winter encamped with the Continental Army at Valley Forge, sharing a log hut with John Marshall. Date records the beginning of the documented winter stay.

10. Battle of Monmouth

    1778-01-01 · Monmouth Battlefield, Manalapan Township, New Jersey, United States

    Monroe served in the Battle of Monmouth before resigning his Continental Army commission later that year. The quoted passage supports the year but not a more precise battle date.

11. Residence with Joseph Jones after resignation

    1778-12-01 · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

    

    After leaving Continental Army service, Monroe joined his uncle Joseph Jones in Philadelphia.

12. Law study under Thomas Jefferson

    1779-01-01 · College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, United States

    

    On Joseph Jones's advice, Monroe returned to Williamsburg to study law and became a protégé of Governor Thomas Jefferson. The source places this return after 1778 and before the 1780 move to Richmond; 1779 is supported by the Library of Congress biographical chronology.

13. Move with Jefferson to the new Virginia capital

    1780-01-01 · Richmond, Virginia, United States

    

    Monroe accompanied Governor Jefferson when Virginia shifted its capital from Williamsburg to Richmond during the Revolutionary War. The source places the move before the end-of-1780 British invasion but does not supply a narrower date.

14. Return to his King George County home

    1780-01-01 · King George County, Virginia, United States

    

    Unable to recruit a regiment after receiving a colonel's command, Monroe returned to his home in King George County. Coordinates represent the county seat area because the precise home site is not specified.

15. Service in the Confederation Congress at Annapolis

    1783-11-01 · Annapolis, Maryland, United States

    

    Monroe began service as a Virginia delegate to the Fourth Congress of the Confederation in Annapolis.

16. Western inspection journey through New York

    1784-01-01 · Western New York, United States

    While in the Confederation Congress, Monroe traveled through western New York to inspect conditions in the Northwest. Representative regional coordinates; the source does not identify individual stops.

17. Western inspection journey through Pennsylvania

    1784-01-01 · Pennsylvania, United States

    Monroe's 1784 inspection journey also took him through Pennsylvania, informing his later advocacy of western expansion. Representative statewide coordinates; the source does not identify individual stops.

18. Confederation Congress relocation to Trenton

    1784-06-01 · Trenton, New Jersey, United States

    

    Monroe was serving in the Confederation Congress when it convened at Trenton, New Jersey.

19. Honeymoon on Long Island

    1786-01-01 · Long Island, New York, United States

    

    After their marriage, James and Elizabeth Monroe spent a brief honeymoon on Long Island. Representative coordinates for Long Island; the source does not identify a specific locality.

20. Law practice in Fredericksburg

    1786-01-01 · Fredericksburg, Virginia, United States

    

    Monroe resigned from Congress, moved to his uncle's house in Fredericksburg, passed the bar, and became a Virginia attorney.

21. Residence in New York City after marriage

    1786-01-01 · New York City, New York, United States

    

    The newly married Monroes returned to New York City and lived with Elizabeth Monroe's father until Congress adjourned.

22. Marriage to Elizabeth Kortright

    1786-02-16 · Trinity Church, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States

    

    Monroe married Elizabeth Kortright at Trinity Church in Manhattan, linking him to New York City society.

23. Diplomatic mission in Paris

    1794-09-07 · Paris, France

    

    As United States minister to France, Monroe wrote from Paris that he had been there for more than a month and had been recognized by the National Convention.

24. Return to Charlottesville after recall from France

    1796-11-01 · Charlottesville, Virginia, United States

    

    After recall from his French mission, Monroe returned home to Charlottesville and resumed farming and legal work. The source dates the recall to November 1796; it does not give a precise return date.

25. Louisiana Purchase negotiations

    1803-04-01 · Paris, France

    

    Monroe was in Paris as special envoy during the negotiations that produced the Louisiana Purchase. The source supports Monroe's presence in Paris during April 27–May 2, 1803; the card uses month precision.

26. Mission to Spain over West Florida

    1805-01-01 · Spain

    

    Monroe traveled to Spain in an unsuccessful attempt to obtain the cession of West Florida. Representative national coordinates; the source does not identify a city.

27. Private life at his Charlottesville estate

    1808-01-01 · Highland, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States

    

    After the 1808 election, Monroe withdrew from politics for several years and concentrated on farming at his Charlottesville estate. The source describes a multiyear private-life period after the 1808 election; Highland is the documented Monroe estate near Charlottesville.

28. Scouting Chesapeake Bay before the British attack

    1814-08-21 · Chesapeake Bay, United States

    

    During the War of 1812, Monroe personally scouted Chesapeake Bay and warned President Madison of the approaching British invasion. Representative Chesapeake Bay coordinates; the source does not identify Monroe's precise scouting position.

29. Northern tour: Boston

    1817-01-01 · Boston, Massachusetts, United States

    

    Boston was a major stop on Monroe's first presidential tour, undertaken to foster national unity after the War of 1812. The itinerary identifies Boston as a stop but does not provide an individual arrival date.

30. Northern tour: Burlington

    1817-01-01 · Burlington, Vermont, United States

    

    Monroe continued his national tour through Vermont, including Burlington. The itinerary identifies Burlington as a stop but does not provide an individual arrival date.

31. Northern tour: Columbus

    1817-01-01 · Columbus, Ohio, United States

    

    Monroe's route through Ohio included Columbus, then a young state capital on the expanding western frontier. The itinerary identifies Columbus as a stop but does not provide an individual arrival date.

32. Northern tour: Detroit

    1817-01-01 · Detroit, Michigan Territory, United States

    

    Monroe reached Detroit during the western phase of his 1817 presidential tour. The itinerary identifies Detroit as a stop but does not provide an individual arrival date.

33. Northern tour: Fort Niagara

    1817-01-01 · Fort Niagara, Youngstown, New York, United States

    

    The 1817 tour brought Monroe to Fort Niagara as he traveled westward through New York. The itinerary identifies Fort Niagara as a stop but does not provide an individual arrival date.

34. Northern tour: Pittsburgh

    1817-01-01 · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

    

    The westward and return leg of Monroe's 1817 tour included Pittsburgh. The itinerary identifies Pittsburgh as a stop but does not provide an individual arrival date.

35. Northern tour: Portland

    1817-01-01 · Portland, Maine, United States

    

    Monroe's northern tour carried him into Maine, including Portland. The itinerary identifies Portland as a stop but does not provide an individual arrival date.

36. Presidential inauguration

    1817-03-04 · Old Brick Capitol, Washington, District of Columbia, United States

    

    Monroe took the oath as the fifth president before the Old Brick Capitol in Washington.

37. Chesapeake tour: Annapolis

    1818-01-01 · Annapolis, Maryland, United States

    

    Monroe's second presidential journey was a tour of Chesapeake Bay sites, beginning with Annapolis. The itinerary identifies Annapolis as a stop but does not provide an individual arrival date.

38. Chesapeake tour: Norfolk

    1818-01-01 · Norfolk, Virginia, United States

    

    Monroe visited Norfolk during his Chesapeake Bay tour, which included coastal and military sites. The itinerary identifies Norfolk as a stop but does not provide an individual arrival date.

39. Southern tour: Charleston

    1819-01-01 · Charleston, South Carolina, United States

    

    Monroe's third major presidential tour took him through the southern states, including Charleston. The itinerary identifies Charleston as a stop but does not provide an individual arrival date.

40. Southern tour: Lexington

    1819-01-01 · Lexington, Kentucky, United States

    

    Lexington was among the Kentucky stops on Monroe's final major presidential tour. The itinerary identifies Lexington as a stop but does not provide an individual arrival date.

41. Southern tour: Louisville

    1819-01-01 · Louisville, Kentucky, United States

    

    Monroe's 1819 route included Louisville as he passed from Tennessee through Kentucky. The itinerary identifies Louisville as a stop but does not provide an individual arrival date.

42. Southern tour: Nashville

    1819-01-01 · Nashville, Tennessee, United States

    

    Monroe reached Nashville on his 1819 southern and western tour, which also included frontier and military locations. The itinerary identifies Nashville as a stop but does not provide an individual arrival date.

43. Southern tour: Savannah

    1819-01-01 · Savannah, Georgia, United States

    

    During his inspection and goodwill tour of the South, Monroe visited Savannah. The itinerary identifies Savannah as a stop but does not provide an individual arrival date.

44. Retirement residence at Oak Hill

    1825-01-01 · Oak Hill, Aldie, Virginia, United States

    

    After leaving the presidency, Monroe spent the first five years of retirement at Oak Hill in Loudoun County, including a visit there by Lafayette and President John Quincy Adams.

45. Presiding at the Virginia Constitutional Convention

    1829-10-01 · Richmond, Virginia, United States

    

    Despite declining health, Monroe was elected presiding officer of Virginia's constitutional convention in Richmond. Richmond is the convention location; the quoted sentence establishes his active service at the convention.

46. Move to Lafayette Place

    1830-01-01 · 63 Prince Street, Lafayette Place, New York City, New York, United States

    

    Following Elizabeth Monroe's death, Monroe moved to his daughter Maria's home at 63 Prince Street in New York City.

47. Death in New York City

    1831-07-04 · 63 Prince Street, Lafayette Place, New York City, New York, United States

    

    Monroe died at age 73 while living with his daughter in New York City, exactly 55 years after the Declaration of Independence. The preceding passage identifies 63 Prince Street, New York City, as Monroe's residence after 1830; the death passage identifies the exact death date but not a separate death-site address.