1From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 15 [January] 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 6th. came to hand this day, and I am much obliged to you for thinking of me on the occasion. you mention that in [91.] you purchased a share of one of the Hendersons as valued by mr Watson & Snelson and that two others have offered you their shares on the same terms. I will very gladly be the purchaser if you will be so good as to negociate it for me, but in your own name. I...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 18 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I find myself very much indebted for your kind agency in the purchase of the lands for me from the Henderson’s, and shall be still more so if you will take for me also Tucker Woodson’s part at the price of 500. D. proposed by him, putting off paiment till the month of June, within the course of which all the shares shall be paid for. you mention having bought mr Kerr’s part. I do not know...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 14 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 10th. was put into my hands by Thomas Walker about 3. or 4. hours ago, and I immediately take measures to obtain the 600. Dollars desired, in such a form as he could most safely carry & might answer your purpose. I have accordingly been able to obtain 500. dollars in 10. bills of the United states branch bank of Norfolk & 100. Dollars gold. the former will be inclosed herein;...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 8 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved the day before yesterday your favor of the 3d. inst. the post leaving this always the day before the return of the post of the preceding week prevents our neighborhood from recieving an answer from hence till the Thursday sennight after they have sent off their letter. I do not perfectly understand your statement of the additions on account of a greater quantity of forest land than...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 25 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 16th. was recieved on the 20th. the post having departed the day before as usual. you ask what shall be done with Shadwell? there was a wish in mr Tom Esting Randolph to have rented it. mr T M Randolph can tell whether he now wishes it. if not, let it to some one tenant, if you please, subject to my approbation which can be asked in a fortnight always. I say to some one...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 1 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of Oct. 8 covering a Columbia bank note for 1240 D. 27 c I recommended to you to dispose of it without delay. I had more reasons for this than would have been proper then to mention. that bank is now in a crisis which may end mortally. if that note is still in your hands or any where else so as not to have cleared us of all responsibility for it, if it be sent to me by return of...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 3 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Nov. 6. was recieved in due time. a press of business has prevented my answering sooner. I am willing to recieve William Davenport as the assignee of your lease of Shadwell. on considering the parts of the lands of the Hendersons which fall to me, I observe that it would be desireable for me to have all their shares in the three parcels on the river, but most especially in the...
8From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 8 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 2d. instant was recieved by last post, desiring a remittance of the balance of 131. D 47 c due you on our settlement of May 22. I accordingly now inclose you 140. Doll. in bank bills of the United states, as these cannot be got exactly to the fraction desired. I hope it will be recieved in time for your purpose. sundry approaching calls for money render it absolutely...
9From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 8 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Lest you might be gone to Richmond, as mentioned in your letter of the 2d. instant , I have thought it best to send the balance you desired, to mr George Jefferson of that place; and have accordingly inclosed 140. D. this day in a letter addressed to you, sealed, and have desired him to deliver it to yourself or to your written order; so that you can apply to him on your reciept of this. in...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 16 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The certificate for 1000. acres of land in the name of John Peyton which you inclosed me shall be forwarded to the war office by this day’s post. without some authentic designation however of the person to whom the patent is to be granted it will of course come out in the name of John Peyton. I mention this, that if you wish it otherwise, you may furnish me with the supplementary papers...
11From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 28 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Being unacquainted with the rules of proceeding in the land office of the U.S. I am unable to say whether they will admit a patent to be made out for yourself, rather than the heir at law. I suspect it must be for the latter; leaving you to make good your claim in opposition to him in a court of law, but this is conjecture only. Perhaps if not inconvenient for you to come by, you might in...
12From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 2 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved by last post your favor of Oct. 27. informing me of the purchase of the lands of Bennet Hill Henderson, Eliza Henderson, Frances Henderson, Lucy Henderson & Nancy Henderson for 650. £ and the widow’s dower for £250. certainly I am very glad to get them secured, but the paiment of £650. by the 10th. instant is utterly out of my power. from this time to February I have to pay for...
13From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 20 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 13th. came to hand last night: and I am happy that the postponements of paiment will be not inconvenient: and the more so as the dates I proposed were suggested by so strong a desire to fix them as early as possible, that tho’ I still trust I can comply with them, yet unforeseen emergencies might throw them forward a month. I now inclose you the deeds, bonds and reciepts...
14From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 8 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of Nov. 2. I expressed a hope I might be able to pay you 1000. D. the 1st. week of this month, 1000. D. in March, & the balance in the summer. in my letter of the 20th. of Nov. I still thought it might be but suggested a possibility that the paiments might be a month later. it is with sincere concern I am obliged, by a rigorous view of my affairs, to say, not only that I cannot...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 23 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Before I ventured to write you my letter of the 8th. inst. I entered into arrangements with my banker in Georgetown to be sure that I could punctually comply with what was therein undertaken. immediately on the reciept of yours to-day I went to him again to see if he could throw the two paiments of 500. D. each promised for March & April into one of 1000. D. for March. on examining the state...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 2 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Apr. 29. came to hand last night. having left at Monticello the plat of the partition of Henderson’s land, I do not from memory recollect the position of John & Charles Henderson’s 4. acres very accurately; but think I recollect enough to say it is impossible for him to build a mill on them, and bring water to it without drawing his canal through lands not his, and which no court...
17From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 14 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 10th . is at hand particular circumstances relative to mr Randolph’s mill seat had obliged me to communicate to him confidentially the interest I had acquired in the opposite one. I have therefore referred to him to consider with respect to his own as well as my interests whether it will be necessary to take down Henderson’s dam before I come home, and if he thinks proper to...
18From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 24 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your servant finds me just mounting my horse on a call to mr Lilly’s. I have only time therefore to say I must leave the renting &c to yourself entirely, only guarding against repetitions of corn planting so as to injure the fields. I am sorry I have not 10. D. by me. I depend on exchanges with the sheriffs, who collect little. Accept my best wishes. RC ( MA ). Not recorded in SJL .
19From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 7 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I now send you the deed, and a copy of the Virginia law made by D. Carr, which will serve to instruct your agent in Kentucky what is to be done. I think it should be made the interest of Fontrees to stay in Kentucky till a court sets, before which mrs Henderson may appear & acknolege the deed, or the witnesses be summoned & prove it. the deed being proven, he should bring it back to have it...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 8 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I cannot consider the mill as worth either to the proprietors or myself more than the [price] of stone & the because they can never again make and I consider should not. her position, construction & condition makes her unworthy of being set to work for the dam is taken down, which will be from this time. it will till her condition is seen to be. by the [. . .]. that they will muster [more...
21From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 20 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
According to the settlement of interest made by you, and mentioned in your last letter to be sixty four pounds, I now inclose you an order on Gibson & Jefferson for that sum, to wit two hundred & thirteen & a third dollars, which closes the paiments principal & interest for all the lands & interests of the Henderson family hitherto bought. it is payable in 30. days which is as early as I could...
22From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 27 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
If my note for 558.14 D paiable the 15th. of Dec. is still in your own hands, I should be very glad if it could be either postponed awhile or paid by monthly portions, as I find I shall be very hard pushed , during the next month. if however it is gone out of your hands I shall endeavor to make provision for it if possible. accept my friendly salutations and best wishes. RC ( ViU ); addressed:...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 16 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night from mr Higginbotham a draught of yours on me for forty seven pounds payable in April. I shall delay writing to him till the next post by which I may hear from you. I considered our settlement of Aug. 11 and the balance of 558.14 D paiable Dec. 15. and actually paid as soon as the note was presented, as in full of the principal money due on all the purchases, and that the...
24From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 30 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Soon after my letter of the 16th. had gone off, your contract for corn occurred to me, which I had not recollected before. I saw at once that your draught must have been founded on that; and before the reciept of your letter of the 23d. which is only this moment come to hand, I returned the draught with an acceptance to mr Higginbotham & with explanations of the cause of delay, and assurances...
25From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 25 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 14th. must have lost a post or two somewhere, this being the first which admits an answer. with respect to the old mill it is as impossible that she should ever go again as that water should run uphill. therefore let it belong to whom it will it can never be any thing more than an insulated spot of ground surrounded by mine. the only reason for offering to purchase the old...
26From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 30 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved from mr D. Carr copies of the papers in court respecting your injunction against Henderson. they give a serious aspect to the case, and render it indispensable that the whole subject should be thrown into a single bill in Chancery before the Chancellor at Richmond. there would be no end of changes to the suits which detached parts of the subject would give rise to. the bill...
27From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 8 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I had yesterday paid to mr Lilly every dollar I had, more than sufficient to carry me to Washington, to enable him to make some paiments he had engaged. the only resource in my power is to draw on Gibson & Jefferson. I send you therefore a draught on them for 50. Dollars for which I am in hopes you may be able to obtain money in Milton. in my opinion there can be little doubt that the property...
28From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 4 February 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Jan. 3. was recieved in due time, and should have been sooner answered but that I wished some information from mr Randolph on the subject, who has but lately returned to this place. I do not want the inclination to purchase the shares of the warehouse, on the contrary it is desirable to me to consolidate that acquisition in all it’s parts: but it is scarcely in my power to make...
29Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 16 August 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The titled title to the lands of Bennet Henderson having passed to yourself thro many hands & by many deeds, I wish in the preamble to the deed to state, for each part, the conveyances by which it came to you, as a matter of information in case any of his descendants should hereafter raise a question on it. I have begun it in the following way, which I know to be imperfect. ‘they (that is, the...
30Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 20 August 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The title purchased from Henderson’s representatives is so extremely complicated as to render it indispensable to state in the deed all the several conveyances of all the parties; otherwise in case of question at any future time it might be lost for want of knowing it. I have endeavored to do this in the inclosed deed, and in order that you may have time, I send it to you To-day, & pray you to...
31Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration to Craven Peyton, 22 August 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas Craven Peyton has this day executed a deed of conveyance to me for the lands of the late Bennet Henderson surrounding & adjacent to the town of Milton , which deed bears on it’s face a warranty for the parts thereof which were the property of Frances , Lucy & Nancy C. three of the daughters of the sd Bennet , whose shares have been purchased & paid for, but the sd Frances , Lucy & Nancy C.
32Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 25 August 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to send me the account of mr T. E. Randolph , & the list of balances due from all persons for rent, firewood E t c of Henderson ’s lands, which were left with you the other day. they shall be returned immediately as I only wish their aid a little while in enabling me to state the whole accounts clearly. I see in your account but one charge for the taxes of the land. but...
33Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 10 January [1810] (Jefferson Papers)
You proposed to me at court the hiring one of the shoemakers of your late brother , which at that time I declined. I will now however be willing to take him and should prefer having the one which can sew the neatest. I really think the house, garden E t c at Bunker’s hill rents too low. it cannot be worth less than 50.D and I suppose that this is the time for fixing it’s rent at a proper...
34Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 6 December 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved a letter from Col o Charles Lewis now of Kentucky expressing apprehensions that 3– or 4. old domestics which he holds from you on hire, and who have been with his children from their infancy may be called for by you, in which case the family would be in infinite distress and without any aid or means of subsistence, and requesting me to speak with you on the subject. being an...
35Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, [12 May 1811] (Jefferson Papers)
The demand of Frances Hornsby for her portion of the lands of her father conveyed to you by James L. Henderson is now become so serious as to require us to proceed immediately against James L . and in the mean time to aim at some compromise with mr Hornsby . I yesterday conversed with Cap t Meriwether , attorney for Hornsby
36Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 16 September 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday the inclosed letter , and have this day forwarded on the bill it covered, to mr Hollins of Baltimore . by the Northern mail which leaves Milton tomorrow it will reach him on Saturday, whereas had I waited to send it thro’ mess rs Gibson & Jefferson at Richmond it could only have got to Richmond on that day, and would have added near a week to the term at which it is...
37Thomas Jefferson To Craven Peyton, 18 September 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
The original letter from mr Morgan with the account inclosed, came to hand since I wrote to you. they have been much injured by wet on the road so as to be almost illegible. I send you the letter & account for your own keeping. it is indeed a most scandalous specimen of Orleans justice. of an inheritance of 1500.D. the lawyers get 500.D. by the approbation of the court. accept my friendly...
38Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 28 October 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved in due time your letter covering Sheckle’s certificate of his having never paid the 2. years rent of the house he had rented. this was quite unnecessary, as your own assurance of that to me was quite sufficient. perhaps, at the time you mentioned it, I might have betrayed some little surprise, because that the whole rents from the 3. tenants Sheckle , Hope & Bowles for a year or two...
39Enclosure: Thomas Jefferson’s Account with Craven Peyton for Purchase of Henderson Lands, 14 July 1801 to 7 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Craven Peyton in account for Henderson’s lands, with Th: J. D r
40Enclosure: Thomas Jefferson’s Account with Craven Peyton for Corn, 28 January 1804 to 25 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Craven Peyton on a contract for corn in acc t with Th: Jefferson D r
41Enclosure: Thomas Jefferson’s Account with Craven Peyton for Rents and Profits from Henderson Lands, 1801–7 January 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Craven Peyton in account D r £
42Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 3 April 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
As I presume you will go to court tomorrow, and I shall not, I must ask the favor of you to call on me. the perseverance and hostility of Cap t Meriwether renders Hornsby’s claim a very serious thing, and he will probably endeavor to engage the other two infant claimants to refuse their confirmation also. I wish to consult you on the best means of treating with those claimants & obtaining...
43Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 8 August 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter I have just recieved from mr Hornsby in answer to one I had written his father , for I did not know of his death. it puts his claim on the land on an entire new footing, denying that the mother , or daughters ever knew of the sale, or recieved a farthing of the money. if I were stronger I would ride down to see you. as it is I can only request if your business should...
44Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 10 August 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
The sum I owe you is between five hundred and forty or fifty Dollars. I have this day written to mr Gibson that I shall draw on him for it the next month, and I will take care that it be paid there by the day you name, the 17 th of December . Accept my respects RC ( ViHi ); addressed: “Craven Peyton esq. Monteagle .” Not recorded in SJL . TJ’s
45Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 7 May 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 4 th came to hand yesterday. I do assure you that I never have entertained a moment’s doubt of the truth of the transaction between Ja s Henderson , mrs Henderson & yourself as to the sale of the lands of the 3 youngest daughters, and of her full knolege & consent to it as you have ever stated it. I believe her denial of it to be a sheer falsehood. it was impossible such a...
46Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 10 May 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Rosson is finishing a carriage for me and has not a pair of handles left. but he has the fellow to one which he lately put to your carriage. if you can accept of the one now sent and which he says is much superior to the one you have, and can let me have that, I shall then be able to get my carriage finished for which I am waiting to set out to Bedford . I shall be thankful to you for the...
47Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 13 August 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
The deed of Sep. 10. 1805. from Charles L. Lewis to yourself is sufficient in it’s form to convey to you all the estate he then held in the lands. the circumstance of it’s not having been recorded within the 8. months prescribed by law, subjects it to a question which I understand from the gentlemen of the law, has not been settled by our courts. but this can arise only in the case of a...
48Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 6 September 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I gave notice some time ago that to mr Michie that I would take your deposition and that of mr Price at mr Watson’s in Milton the day after tomorrow at ten aclock. I must ask the favor of your attendance there, and if you will be punctual to the hour you shall not be detained. Accept my friendly respects. Thursday the 8 th of Sep. at 10. aclock in the morning was the hour appointed. P.S. after...
49Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 30 December 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I lent you some time ago the deed & receipt of John Henderson as to the property of the younger children of Bennet Henderson , which I must ask the favor of you now to send me as it is essential to fix the time when I begin to be accountable for rents, which matter is now immediately to be settled with Cap t Meriwether and mr Wood . have you been able to collect any testimony of the age of...
50Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 6 February 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I am infinitely obliged by the kind offer of the sum mentioned in your letter, and any further one you will be able to spare: an award is given against me for between 7. & 800.D. for rent to the Hendersons , to be paid instantly. I have also to pay 1600.D. more for the 3. shares of the daughters. this, with purchase of corn, and two years failure of crops embarrasses me beyond my expectations....