In the early days of our country, Virginia served as the breeding ground of presidents. Of the first five presidents, four were Virginians. The Father of His country and the first president was George Washington. He was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, and spent his later years at MT. Vernon, his estate in Virginia. The third President, Thomas Jefferson, was also a native Virginian. Raised in what is now Albemarle County, Virginia, he found the University of Virginia. His home in later years was Monticello, near the University, James Madison, the fourth president, was born in Port Conway, Virginia, and helped draft the constitution for the state of Virginia. James Monroe, the fifth president, was born, like Washington, in Westmoreland County; he was educated at the college of William and Mary in Williamsburg and studied law under Thomas Jefferson.