1From Thomas Jefferson to William D. Meriwether, 24 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
By the bearer Davy, I send you, according to our arrangement, the following trees. No. 1. six Peach Apricots engrafted from an engrafted tree, of Italy. No. 2. two Bourdeaux Apricots, large & fine in quality. No. 3. two Peach trees from France, soft, said to be the finest ever seen. also a small bag containing about 100. Paccan nuts, fresh, for planting. wishing you all possible success with...
2Thomas Jefferson to William D. Meriwether, 14 March 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer now comes for the trees you have taken care of for me, that is to say, my half of them. where there is only a single one of a kind, do not risk the taking it up. a graft from it another year will do as well for me. be so good as to have the roots of those sent well wrapt in straw to keep the cold air from them. I have some claim on Governor Lewis’s estate for monies furnished him...
3Thomas Jefferson to William D. Meriwether, [1 November 1819] (Jefferson Papers)
I recieve this on Monday the 1 st of November a quarter before 11. aclock A.M. and am too unwell to attend RC ( TxDaHCL: JDRC ); on verso of Meriwether to TJ, 30 Oct. 1819 ; partially dated. Not recorded in SJL .
4Thomas Jefferson to William D. Meriwether, 21 August 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I send the inclosed letters to you as one of the executors of our late friend Governor Lewis . you probably know the fate of Poor Pierney his servant who lately followed his master’s example. the 1 st letter is from him stating his account. the 2 d & 3 d are from Christopher Suverman with whom he boarded till his death. Suverman
5Thomas Jefferson to William D. Meriwether, 16 December 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
On my return from Bedford after an absence of 7. weeks I find here a great accumulation of letters and other business. as soon as I can dispatch the most pressing of these, I will take up the transactions with the representatives of mr Henderson and prepare a statement of the account for rents. this done I shall put the matter into the hands of my grandson to settle with you and to arbitrate...
6William D. Meriwether and Nicholas H. Lewis to Thomas Jefferson, 1 June 1819 (2d letter) (Jefferson Papers)
Be pleased to take notice that at the House of John Higginbotham in the Town of Warminster Between the hours of 9 AM and 6. PM of Saturday the fifth instant June and so from day to day until concluded we Shall proceed to take the Deposition of Emanuel Poor to be read in evidence in a Suit where in we are Defendants and your self complainant, in the Superior court of Chancery holden at Staunton...
7Thomas Jefferson and Eli Alexander to William D. Meriwether and Martin Dawson, 7 March 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
A difference of opinion having arisen between the subscribers as to the construction of the words of a lease we wish to settle it amicably by a reference to persons in whose judgment & impartiality we have unqualified confidence. it is of yourselves we ask the favor to become our arbitrators, and to your award we agree mutually to submit. we are sorry to add that the question cannot be...
8William D. Meriwether to Thomas Jefferson, 3 June 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
In consequence of the difficu lt y of ascertaining facts respecting the locks, the navigation of your canal, the work done by the Rivanna Company thereon, and other points of controversy in relation to the same, the two M r Minors myself and other persons will meet at the Shadwell mills on saterday next the fifth instant to view and measure the same. at which time and place your presence is...
9William D. Meriwether to Thomas Jefferson, [14 March 1810] (Jefferson Papers)
Of the peach apricots only three were living, one of which I send to you, also three trees grafted on peach stock, the spring after that I received them, the kind uncertain I have called them the Bourdeaux apricot, because I think they most resemble them. I have only one Bourdeaux apricot living, and one French peach, therefore agreable to your directions have not disturbed them—We have a...
10Thomas Jefferson to William D. Meriwether, 30 October 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieve this instant, and at this place your letter of the 17 th the property of the three younger children of Bennet Henderson dec d sold to me by their guardians , paid for while they were under age, and of which I am possessed, I am ready to give up, in consequence of their refusing confirmation; and I left directions accordingly with my grandson on leaving home. I will also pay any...
11William D. Meriwether to Thomas Jefferson, 19 March 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I send by your boy two bushels of malt but it is not sufficiently dried for grinding, and should youe want any more will with pleasure furnish youe wit h it, barly to sowe if youe are not already supplied I am much obliged to you for your books on brewing, in hopes that I may profit by them, and will return them as soon as the Season for brewing is over; and remain RC ( MHi ); dateline beneath...
12Thomas Jefferson to William D. Meriwether, 30 December 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I have put into the hands of my grandson the papers and notes relative to the rents due to the three younger representatives of the late mr Henderson , and have left to him entirely the settlement of them, and whatever he does I will confirm and execute. he sets out to Richmond this morning, will return on Saturday, & then be always ready to finish the business. I am Sir PoC ( MHi ); on verso...
13Thomas Jefferson to William D. Meriwether, 17 September 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I lent you some time ago the London & Country brewer and Combrun’s book on the same subject. we are this day beginning, under the directions of Capt Millar , the business of brewing Malt liquors, and if these books are no longer useful to you I will thank you for them, as we may perhaps be able to derive some information from them. Accept the assurance of my respect & consideration. PoC ( MHi...
14William D. Meriwether to Thomas Jefferson, 16 December 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Understanding that you have returned from Bedford and being desirous to receive the rents due to M r Hornsby and M r Wood the representatives of the three younger legatees of Bennet Henderson D d I request the favour of you to appoint a time and place wher the business can be done that will be mutually convenient to us baoth and if necesssary to appoint an umpire to deside any matter of...
15William D. Meriwether to Thomas Jefferson, 30 October 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Be Pleased to take notice that at the tavern of George W Kingsolving in the town of Charlottesville on monday the first of November betwen the hours of eleven in the forenoon and two in the afternoon I shall proceed to take the deposition of Immanuel Poor and others to be read in evidence in the suit wherein you are plaintiff and the Directors of the Rivanna company are defendants in the...
16William D. Meriwether and Nicholas H. Lewis to Thomas Jefferson, 1 June 1819 (1st letter) (Jefferson Papers)
Be pleased to take notice that at The Tavern of Jessee Devenport s in the Town of Charlottesville Between the hours of 9 A.M. and 6 P.M. of Thursday the 10 th Instant June And so from day to day untill concluded we shall proceed to take the depositions of Jessee Lewis and others to be read in evedence in a suit wherein we are defendants and yourself complainant in the Superior Court of...
17William D. Meriwether to Thomas Jefferson, 17 October 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Understanding by your grandson M r Randolph , that you have declined to take the property claimed by the legatees of Bennett Henderson Dec d , as it was valued to you, by Martin Dawson , I am desirous of knowing explicitly, whether or not, you will give up the property so claimed by them, and pay the rents due thereon, peaceably, and without my having recourse to law to obtain the same: but I...
18William D. Meriwether to Thomas Jefferson, [23 March 1809] (Jefferson Papers)
The Committee appointed by a meeting of your County men to express to you their feelings & sentiments on your late return, inclose you a copy of an address which they are instructed to present—Those gentlemen who live at a distance & are now in Town , wish to be inform’d at what Time & place it will be most agreeable to you to receive them— By order of the committee W D. Meriwether Chrm n RC (...
19Thomas Jefferson to William D. Meriwether, 24 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I intended to have answered your kind letter by mr Stevenson yesterday evening but he left us without my knowing it. perhaps he considered as an answer, my saying to him that I presumed it would be most convenient for the gentlemen of the committee to meet on our next court day at Charlottesville , where I will attend them. I take the liberty therefore of proposing this to them, as other...
20William D. Meriwether to Thomas Jefferson, [received 1 September 1809] (Jefferson Papers)
Our youngest son is extreamly ill with a desentery and I think a little port-wine will be of service to him will you be so good as to spare me a bottle and I will return it as soon as any can be got ps our black peaches are now ripe and I hope you will send wenever you choose for them RC ( MHi ); undated; at head of text: “M r Thomas Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 1 Sept. 1809 and so...
21Thomas Jefferson to William D. Meriwether, 3 June 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I have concluded to accede to your proposition of purchasing the rights of mr and mrs Hende Hornsby in the lands of her father around the town of Milton , on the valuation of persons to be chosen by us, and payment to be made at the end of two years, but with interest during the second year. but as it is inconvenient to me to go out much, and I shall shortly have a long absence in Bedford , I...
22William D. Meriwether to Thomas Jefferson, 7 March 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeable to your request I will attend with M r Dawson at Shadwell tomorrow morning at ten oclock, if the day should be fit to turn out, and if it should be a bad day I will attend the day after RC ( MHi ); dateline beneath signature; addressed: “Hon Thomas Jefferson Monticello”; endorsed by TJ as received 7 Mar. 1810 and so recorded in SJL .
23Martin Dawson and William D. Meriwether to Thomas Jefferson, 8 March 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
herewith you have the Substance of our Opinion in the Case of Referance, Between your Self and Mr Alexander . Shoud you think it Meterial, we will Put it in form—but as one of us will Not be in this part after today untill Next Court—( this County ) we Now Merely give you the Substance—expecting its of Consequence it Shoud at Once be know who Cultivates the Land this Year, M Dawson W D....
24William D. Meriwether to Thomas Jefferson, 13 June 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of recommending to you M r Veltenair , who wishes to take likenesses from some of your busts, he is an ingenious artist, an excellent musician, and a person who I think merits attention RC ( MHi ); dateline at foot of text; endorsed by TJ as received 14 June 1811 and so recorded (with notation: “by Veltenair ”) in SJL . Christian veltenair was an itinerant artist, inventor,...
25Thomas Jefferson to William D. Meriwether, 27 December 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
By the Enquirer of the 19 th just now recieved here I see that the petition of Ashlin to build a dam across the river adjacent to Ross’s lands, & consequently not far above it’s mouth has been reported reasonable. where a mill dam assists navigation it is well to allow it because it becomes a public good. M c gruder’s I believe stands on this ground. Wood ’s
26The Inhabitants of Albemarle County, Virginia, to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 11 March 1809] (Jefferson Papers)
The Inhabitants of Albemarle , your fellow citizens & your friends, beg leave to congratulate you on your return to themselves & to your native county. They invite you to the enjoyment of that domestic happiness from which your public services have so long abstracted you, & for which you have so just a claim on their warmest wishes, & best exertions to establish. In the bosom of your family,...
27Answer of President and Directors of Rivanna Company to Thomas Jefferson’s Bill of Complaint, 7 April 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
The Answer of the President & Directors of the Rivanna Company to the Bill of Complaint exhibited in this honble Court against them by Thomas Jefferson These Respondents saving to themselves now & hereafter all manner of exceptions to the various matters & things set forth in the Plaintiff’s Bill of Complaint for Answer thereto, or to so much thereof as they are advised is necessary for them...
28Thomas Jefferson’s Bill of Complaint against the Directors of the Rivanna Company, [by 9 February 1817], document 1 in a … (Jefferson Papers)
To the honorable John Brown , Judge of the Superior court of Chancery holden at Staunton. Humbly complaining sheweth unto your Honor your Orator Thomas Jefferson of the county of Albemarle that Peter Jefferson father of your orator was in his lifetime seised and possessed as in feesimple of a certain tract of land called Shadwell , on the North side of the Rivanna river , and adjacent thereto...
29Rent Settlement with Henderson Heirs, 25 January 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
The undersigned to whom was refered a matter in controversy between the minor Legatees of Bennett Henderson dec d & Th s Jefferson , after hearing the case & the testimony offered on both sides have come to the following decision— It appears from the testimony of sundry witnesses, that Thomas Jefferson has been in possession of the lands of Frances , Lucy , & Nancy C. Henderson since the year...
30Enclosure: Extracts from Minutes of the Directors of the Rivanna Company, 4 December 1810–4 November 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
At a meeting of the Directors at Charlottesville on Tuesday the 4 th of Dec. 1810. present W m D. Meriwether , Dabney Minor , & John Kelly . Ordered that the Directors will meet at