"James Monroe's Family Life"

The Virginian-born James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States went through some difficult times in his personal life. Although he was fortunate to have the best educational opportunities just after the Revolutionary War, Monroe gained strength after suffering the losses of loved ones.
Monroe was born in 1758 as the son of an established farming family in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Monroe walked several miles each day to join a small group of boys at the school of Parson Campbell. Later he attended Campbelton Academy at the age of 11. During school he met and befriended classmate John Marshall, who went on to become the Chief of Justice. Marshall and Monroe competed for top student in their class. Just before turning 16 his parents, Spence Monroe and Eliza Jones passed away, leaving him the family farm and the responsibility of his older sister and his three younger brothers.
After attending William and Mary College and studying law with Thomas Jefferson, in 1786 he met and married 17-year-old Elizabeth Kortright of New York. They moved to Fredericksburg, Virginia, where Monroe set up his law practice. On December 5, 1796 he wife gave birth to daughter Eliza. Three years later their son James Spencer was born, however, James died just before his first birthday.
During the Revolutionary era, many American including our presidents lost loved at young ages, but still found the courage and strength to become leaders.
Bibliography: www.whitehouse.gov, www.JamesMonroe.org