Thomas Jefferson Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-43-02-0287

From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 3 May 1804

To George Jefferson

Monticello May 3. 1804.

Dear Sir

I have purchased from mr John Henderson a pair of five feet Burr millstones, every stone of which he represented to be of the first quality, and the price is to be ascertained by what mr Holloway of Richmond shall certify to be the proper price of such a pair at that place. will you be so good as to obtain from mr Holloway such a certificate & inclose it to mr Henderson, & to me a copy of it. I shall then be at Washington. Accept my affectionate salutations.

Th: Jefferson

approved

Jno Henderson

PrC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr George Jefferson”; approval signed by John Henderson; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso.

In his financial memoranda, TJ recorded on 1 May a payment to henderson of £20, or $66.67, as a partial installment for the purchase of a five-acre lot adjoining TJ’s land along the Rivanna River, for which he was to pay $40, the “bail & screw of his millstones,” also valued at $40, and “his pair of 5. f. Burr millstones for which I am to give him £80. and as much more not exceeding £100. as they shall be valued at.” Two days later, TJ recorded giving Henderson his “note for £42. paiable 1st. week of June; also my note for £42. paiable 1st. week in July, both at Charlottesville.” An indenture for the sale of the land, dated 3 May and witnessed by James Dinsmore, William Stewart, and John Wineberger, was recorded by the county clerk on 4 June. TJ sent payments of $140 on 7 June and $173.33 on 5 July intended for Henderson. In a letter of 25 Feb. to Craven Peyton, TJ had explained his willingness to purchase mill implements from Henderson in order to “consolidate the possession.” He was still using the millstones in 1817 (MB description begins James A. Bear, Jr., and Lucia C. Stanton, eds., Jefferson’s Memorandum Books: Accounts, with Legal Records and Miscellany, 1767-1826, Princeton, 1997, The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Second Series description ends , 2:1125, 1129, 1131; Albemarle County Deed Book No. 14:484-5; RS description begins J. Jefferson Looney and others, eds., The Papers of Thomas Jefferson: Retirement Series, Princeton, 2004- , 13 vols. description ends , 11:200-1).

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