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In the journal of Edward Coles, Madison's private secretary in 1801 (first year as Secretary of State to President Jefferson), Coles provides the height and weight of James and Dolley Madison. He records Madison as being 5'6", with a slightly large head and a frail body, weighing around 110-115 pounds. Dolley is described as being 5'7 1/3" and a "pleasing armful." The average height of a male in that period was 5' 8". The few surviving garments of Madison's date to his retirement years in his 70s-80s; our bodies compact as we age.  He was 58 when he became President - most of us have experienced some loss of height evident in our 50s.

Secondly, Madison was actually on the battlefield at Bladensburg (with "a brace of pistols"). Madison and President Washington (1794 Whiskey Rebellion) are the only 2 American Presidents to have been on battlefields during their administrations.