Flight of the Madisons: Conn's Ferry

Conn's Ferry illustrated on a "Plan and profile of an unfinished survey and level for a proposed canal from Goose Creek in Loudoun county to Hunting Creek near Alexandria," by Loammi Baldwin, 1818.

President Madison and his companions left Wiley's Tavern and Mrs. Madison at midnight on August 25, 1814, headed for Conn's Ferry to join troops at the Montgomery Court House in Maryland (now Rockville), 16 miles away. They were delayed by a severe morning thunderstorm that made the Potomac River impassable. By the time they arrived in Rockville early in the afternoon the American troops had already left, so they continued 11 more miles to Brookeville, seeking a safe haven.

Credit: Library of Virginia

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