Caroline Matilda Hite

Matilda was the daughter of Samuel Irvine and Ann Fitzhugh "Nancy " Rose. As a child living in Lynchburg, she was accidentally shot in the head by her sister Mary. From "Lynchburg Sketches and Recollections ": "By almost a miracle Matilda's life was preserved by means of a surgical operation. There had been previous to this accident a peculiar attachment subsisting between these two sisters, but after it their affection became almost idolatry."

When she was 16 years old, Matilda and James Madison Hite were married 12 Jan 1815. They moved to "Guilford" in Clarke County to raise their family.

Matilda and Madison had four children: Isaac Irvine, Caroline Matilda, James Madison Jr., and Ann Eliza.

Matilda was admitted to Western State Lunatic Asylum on 25 May 1844, at the age of 45. The cause of her disease was listed as "concussion of brain", of many years' duration before her admission. She was treated with medication for one year after her admission; there was no improvement and so medication was discontinued.

Madison died 11 Jan 1860. In his will, he provided for Matilda's ongoing care and burial with $5,000, to be invested in state bonds.

Matilda died 11 Mar 1877 of "senile decay" and was buried at Western State.