Norborne K. Thomas to Thomas Jefferson, 25 July 1812
From Norborne K. Thomas
North Garden 25 July 1812
Sir
I took the liberty of opening the letter you addresd to my Bro. John L Thomas under the impression that you were mistaken in supposing him to be in this county, he is at present in Richmond and cannot with any degree of convenience leave home until I return as we are connected in business, & one or the other [is] obliged to be always present—If you could with convenience to yourself delay the business until Sept Court he could then attend without difficulty, as I shall return to Richmond soon after Augt 01—
Norborne K Thomas
RC (MHi); mutilated at seal; addressed: “Thomas Jefferson Esqe Monticello”; endorsed by TJ as received 25 July 1812 and so recorded in SJL.
Norborne K. Thomas (d. 1831), merchant, was probably raised in Albemarle County. With his younger half brother, John L. Thomas, in 1811 he began a commission business in Richmond known as J. L. & N. K. Thomas. Four years later they took William R. Snelson into the partnership, becoming N. K. Thomas and Company. John L. Thomas moved to Albemarle County in 1818, but Norborne K. Thomas stayed in the state capital, where he died (, 327–8; John L. Thomas to TJ, 23 July 1811; Richmond Enquirer, 26 Apr. 1815; Richmond Commercial Compiler, 5 Apr. 1831; Richmond Enquirer, 10 July 1832; Richmond City Hustings Court Will Book, 6:178–80).
this county: Albemarle.