1Notice of Sale of Bernard Moore’s Property, 10 January 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
To be sold to the highest Bidders, on Thursday the 31st of this Instant (January) at the House of Colonel Bernard Moore , in King William, Eighteen Hundred Acres of land for the Life of Colonel Moore , lying on
2Advertisement of Sale of Other Property and Effects of Bernard Moore, 21 February 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
To be sold to the highest Bidders, on the second Wednesday in March, being the Day before Caroline Court, at Colonel Bernard Moore’s Plantation in Caroline, The Stocks of cattle, hogs, corn , and fodder.
3Further Advertisement of Sale of Bernard Moore’s Property, 28 February 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
To be sold to the highest Bidders, on the third Thursday in March, at King William Courthouse, being Court Day , Eleven Hundred and twenty five Acres of exceeding fine well timbered land lying on Pamunkey , below Ruffin’s
4Bond for Marriage License, 23 December 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
Know all men by these presents that we Thomas Jefferson and Francis Eppes are held and firmly bound to our sovereign lord the king his heirs and successors in the sum of fifty pounds current money of Virginia, to the paiment of which, well and truly to be made we bind ourselves jointly and severally, our joint and several heirs executors and administrators in witness whereof we have hereto set...
5Notice of Sale of Wayles Properties, 15 July 1773 (Jefferson Papers)
Two Thousand five Hundred and twenty Acres of land in Cumberland , commonly known by the Name of Saint Jame’s ; one Thousand four Hundred and twenty Acres in the Counties of Goochland and Cumberland , on both Sides of James River, opposite to Elk Island; and one Thousand four Hundred and eighty Acres on Herring Creek, in Charles City County. The above Tracts of Land were of the Estate of the late
6Further Notice of Sale of Wayles Properties, 9 September 1773 (Jefferson Papers)
Five Hundred and fifty Acres of land in the County of Charles City , with a convenient Dwellinghouse and other Improvements, Two Hundred and twenty Acres, in the same County, pleasantly situated on James River. Two Thousand five Hundred and twenty Acres in the County of Cumberland , commonly known by the Name of Saint James’s. And one Thousand four Hundred and twenty one Acres in the Counties...
7Notice of Bidding for the Erection of a Prison, 31 January 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
To be let to the lowest bidder, on Thursday the 14 th of March, at Charlottesville, in Albemarle, The building of a prison of brick, with two rooms below, and two above stairs. Plans
8Notice concerning Legal Fees, 20 May 1773 (Jefferson Papers)
ON serious Consideration of the present State of our Practice in the General Court, we find it can no longer be continued on the same Terms. The Fees allowed by Law , if regularly paid, would barely compensate our incessant Labours, reimburse our Expenses, and the Losses incurred by Neglect of our private Affairs; yet even these Rewards, confessedly moderate, are withheld from us, in a great...
9Deed from Jane Randolph Jefferson for the Conveyance of Slaves, 29 September 1773 (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas Peter Jefferson did by his last will and testament bequeath to Jane Jefferson his wife one sixth part of all his slaves during her life, with power by deed or will to appoint the same to any of his children as she should think proper, and on his death partition having been made, the several slaves hereafter named with divers others were alloted to the said Jane: and whereas Thomas...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Burke, 30 June 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
The case of Plume v. Portlock now lies at the Rules in danger of a dismission for want of a declaration. Mr. Blair directed me to apply to you for instructions in this matter. Your favor herein will oblige Dr. Sir Your friend and servt., P. S. On looking further into the Rule docket I find myself referred to you also for instructions to draw the bill in McVee v. Wilson . I have Wilson’s bond...
11Draft of Instructions to the Virginia Delegates in the Continental Congress (MS Text of A Summary View, &c.), [July … (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved that it be an instruction to the said deputies when assembled in General Congress with the deputies from the other states of British America to propose to the said Congress that an humble and dutiful address be presented to his majesty begging leave to lay before him as chief magistrate of the British empire the united complaints of his majesty’s subjects in America; complaints which...
12From Thomas Jefferson to Messrs. Inglis and Long, 11 May 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the eighth of April I have received, and since that your favour of five pounds as counsel for Messrs. Cunningham & Nisbett at the suit of Jamieson & Taylor. Before we can regularly proceed to take any proofs in the cause it will be necessary for Messrs. Cunningham & Nisbett to send us their answer denying or admitting the several charges in the bill as far as their own knowledge...
13From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Turpin, 5 February 1769 (Jefferson Papers)
I am truly concerned that it is not in my power to undertake the superintendance of your son in his studies; but my situation both present and future render it utterly impossible. I do not expect to be here more than two months in the whole between this and November next, at which time I propose to remove to another habitation which I am about to erect, and on a plan so contracted as that I...
14From Thomas Jefferson to John Walker, 3 September 1769 (Jefferson Papers)
Ero apud Society spring on Tuesday per quatuor. Fortasse et I. Lepus-æmula veniet. Apis ibi et tu quoque. Ferto sequelam tuam Septentrionalem. Ferto etiam, ut ante tibi præcepi, tabulam scaccariam. Oculus feram viros. Si possemus gignere tabulam pro hac vice expressè factam, lignum apis puteus. Sed de hoc postea confabulemur. Suntne bubulæ terræ patris tui in Augusta salvæ? Id est nonne sint...
15Memorandum Books, 1767 (Jefferson Papers)
Aug. 25. survey forfeited sold it to Edward Pharr for 37 lib. 10/ cash and gave him a deed &c. Payne after this expr essed sad ness at losing his mill but said he had rather it should be in his h ands? than any other’s. On which Pharr told him? if he would make up his money in a twelve month he would return the land. He agreed with Payne to keep the mill: Payne left the mill as there was no...
16From Thomas Jefferson to ——, 26 July 1764 (Jefferson Papers)
I like your proposal of keeping up an epistolary correspondence on subjects of some importance. I do not at present recollect any difficult question in natural philosophy, but shall be glad to have your opinion on a subject much more interesting. What that is I will tell you. In perusing a magazine some time ago I met with an account of a person who had been drowned. He had continued under...
17Memorandum Books, 1769 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 1. Recd. of J. May Summs. in Witt v. Biby and also in Bowyer v. Buchanan, but Qu. wherefore the latter having sent one before. 12. Handcock v. Walker and Witt v. Biby. Delivd. Summ. to G. Thompson. Henry Rose (Amherst) v. Joseph Lifely. Friendly caveat for 148 acres Amherst. Employed by Rose. 16. John McCue (Albemarle) v. Alexander Patten (Amherst) and David Kincaid (Augusta). Enter...
18From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Inglis, 19 October 1772 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter was delivered me in court to-day when it was impossible for me even to read it. I therefore detained the servant till the evening lest there might be any thing which would require an answer. I shall file the answer in which you say nothing of McCaul’s effects. Indeed the other would be improper because it confesses effects of his in your hands at the time of the subpoena served,...
19Notes for Epitaph and Grave of Dabney Carr, [after 16 May 1773] (Jefferson Papers)
Inscription on my friend D. Carr’s tomb-stone. Lamented shade! [whom ev’ry] gift of heav’n Profusely blest: a temper winning mild; Nor pity softer, nor was truth more bright. Constant in doing well, he neither sought Nor shunn’d applause. No bashful merit sigh’d Near him neglected: sympathizing he Wip’d off the tear from Sorrow’s clouded eye With kindly hand and taught her heart to smile....
20Memorandum Books, 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
Cash acct. in R. C. N.’s cases (till get into order). 1771 April 16. Scott v. Scott. Recd. 30/. May 4. Bowker v. Mimms. Recd. 25/. Octob. 15. Newby v. Bailey. Recd. 25/. 27. Archer v. Jones. Recd. 21/6. 31. Collier v. Mennis. 2 suits. Recd. £5. paper + gold .
21From Thomas Jefferson to Messrs. Inglis and Long, 4 July 1772 (Jefferson Papers)
In the suit in Chancery brought by Jamieson and Taylor against Meredith, Cuningham and Nisbett, Macall Stedman and company underwriters to the policy of insurance which is the foundation of the suit, and yourselves as having effects of some of the underwriters in your hands, I find the only interrogatory of the bill you are concerned to answer is this ‘whether you or either of you have in your...
22XII. Thomas Jefferson to Farell & Jones, 9 July 1773 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favours of April 23d. 1773 came to hand a few days after the death of Mr. Wayles an event of which I doubt not Mr. Evans has before this advised you. We are assured that you Sympathize on this occasion with his family and friends here, as a correspondence kept up, and we hope approved thro’ a long course of years must have produced on your part some degree of that friendship which we know...
23Memorandum Books, 1773 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 7. Richard Vernon (Orange). Gave him advice for which took his note for 21/6. 8. John Stewart (Augusta) v. James Callison (Augusta). I was directed to enter this petn. some time ago, and did it, but it being still blank and so not chargeable I bring the memm. forward, to get rid of old books. So when necessary recur to rough memm. books 1770. Jan. 21. Mar. 8. Feb. 20. Aug. 22. Carter...
24From Thomas Jefferson to William Wood, 17 July 1772 (Jefferson Papers)
I obtained for you last June an order of council against Price for the 234. acres of land caveated by you. You must therefore before the 10th. day of December return to the Secretary’s office a copy of the order of council which will cost you 10/9, a copy of the survey, 5. rights 29/2, the governor’s fee 21/6, and Secretary’s fee 10/6 or the lands will be liable to a caveat. I observe Price...
25From Thomas Jefferson to Charles McPherson, 25 February 1773 (Jefferson Papers)
Encouraged by the small acquaintance which I had the pleasure of having contracted with you during your residence in this country, I take the liberty of making the present application to you. I understood you were related to the gentleman of your name Mr. James Macpherson to whom the world is so much indebted for the collection, arrangement and elegant translation, of Ossian’s poems. These...
26From Thomas Jefferson to Peyton Randolph, 23 July 1770 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to beg the favor of your friendly interposition in the following case, which I hope you will think sufficient to excuse the freedom of the application. Sometime last fall Mr. Jas. Ogilvie proposing to go to Britain for orders made the usual application to the commissary for his recommendatory letter to the bishop. The commissary finding him somewhat deficient in his Greek expressed some...
27From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Inglis, 13 October 1772 (Jefferson Papers)
Your scruples on that part of the answer which denies your having in your hands effects of any the defendants except Messrs. Conyngham and Nesbitt, are just. The circumstance of your holding any thing of Mr. McCaul’s was unknown to me. I now send you two answers. The one admits effects of Conyngham and Nesbitt and also of McCaul, and denies it as to the others. The other answer admits as to...
28From Thomas Jefferson to John Harvie, 14 January 1760 (Jefferson Papers)
I was at Colo. Peter Randolph ’s about a Fortnight ago, and my Schooling falling into Discourse, he said he thought it would be to my Advantage to go to the College, and was desirous I should go, as indeed I am myself for several Reasons. In the first place as long as I stay at the Mountain the Loss of one fourth of my Time is inevitable, by Company’s coming here and detaining me from School....
29From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Adams, 20 February 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
Not expecting to have the pleasure of seeing you again before you leave the country I inclose you an order on the inspectors at Shockoe for two hhds. of tobacco which I consign to you, and give you also the trouble of shipping as I am too far from the spot to do it myself. They are to be laid out in the purchase of the articles on the back hereof. You will observe that part of these articles...
30From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 20 January 1763 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been thinking this half hour how to begin my letter and cannot for my soul make it out. I wish to the Lord one could write a letter without any beginning for I am sure it allways puzzles me more than all the rest of it. And to tell you the plain truth I have not a syllable to write to you about. For I do not conceive that any thing can happen in my world which you would give a curse to...
31Notes on the Progress of Certain Bills, [9–25 May 1774] (Jefferson Papers)
Entail bill (my own) May 9. 1774. leave to bring in the bill 10. bill read first time & ordd. to be read 2d time 13. Committed 19. reported & ingrossed 20. read 3d time and passed. General Entail bill May 25. leave to bring in bill to empower certain persons to convey away their lands. 26. presented, read, & to be read 2d time Road bill presentd. by Commee Cts. justce. read 1st. time & ordd....
32From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 7 October 1763 (Jefferson Papers)
In the most melancholy fit that ever any poor soul was, I sit down to write to you. Last night, as merry as agreeable company and dancing with Belinda in the Apollo could make me, I never could have thought the succeeding sun would have seen me so wretched as I now am! I was prepared to say a great deal: I had dressed up in my own mind, such thoughts as occurred to me, in as moving language as...
33From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 19 January 1764 (Jefferson Papers)
The contents of your letter have not a little alarmed me: and really upon seriously weighing them with what has formerly passed between αδνιλεβ and myself I am somewhat at a loss what to conclude. Your ‘semper saltat, semper ridet, semper loquitur, semper solicitat’ &c. appear a little suspicious, but good god! it is impossible! I told you our confab in the Apollo: but I beleive I never told...
34From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Adams, 1 June 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
As it was somewhat doubtful when you left the country how far my little invoice delivered you might be complied with till we should know the fate of the association, I desired you to withhold purchasing the things till you should hear further from me. The day appointed for the meeting of the associates is not yet arrived, however from the universal sense of those who are likely to attend it...
35From Thomas Jefferson to William Fleming, 20 March 1764 (Jefferson Papers)
As the messenger who delivered me your letter, informs me that your boy is to leave town tomorrow morning I will endeavor to answer it as circumstantially as the hour of the night, and a violent head ach , with which I have been afflicted these two days, will permit. With regard to the scheme which I proposed to you some time since, I am sorry to tell you it is totally frustrated by Miss R....
36From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Willis, 23 July 1766 (Jefferson Papers)
I am at length arrived here, after a long, but agreeable trip along the continent as far as New York; which however was less agreeable for want of a companion, whose equal curiosity might have kept one in countenance in rambling over the different places which lie on the road. This I expected from you, and wrote to you upon that subject early in the spring; and nothing could equal my vexation...
37From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 17 April 1767 [document added in digital edition] (Jefferson Papers)
Your welfare, That of m’rs Page, and your heir apparent give me great joy: but much was I disappointed at not seeing you here today. surely you will visit the city some time in the co urt: do not let family attachments totally rusticate you. in answer to the interrogatories of your letter , I left my wife and family well; I have been in constant health myself and still continue . I left well,...
38From Thomas Jefferson to ——, 30 June 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
Among the Treasurer ’s causes which I have undertaken to finish is a suit brought against you by Martar . As I am an utter stranger to the nature of the demand of the plaintiff, and of your defence I must trouble you to give me timely notice of both. If you would chuse subpoenas to summon any evidences be pleased to write a line to Mr. James Steptoe my agent at the Secretary’s office who will...
39From Thomas Jefferson to William Preston, 18 August 1768 (Jefferson Papers)
I sit down to petition your suffrage in favor of a friend, whose virtues and abilities have made him such to me, and will give him equal place in your esteem whenever you have an opportunity of becoming acquainted with them. The gentleman I speak of is the Revd. James Fontaine, who offers himself as a candidate for the place of chaplain to the house of burgesses. I do not wish to derogate from...
40Report on Parliamentary Procedure, [8 November–8 December 1769] (Jefferson Papers)
A.6. ✓ Resolved that a question being once determined must stand as the judgment of the house, and cannot again be drawn into debate. A.9. ✓ Ordered that the orders for the business appointed for the day be read by the clerk before any other matter be proceeded on. A.5. ✓ Ordered that when a question shall arise between the greater and lesser sum or the longer and shorter time , the question...
41Draft of a Declaration of Rights Prepared for the Virginia Convention of August 1774, [ca. 26 July 1774] (Jefferson Papers)
A Declaration of rights and League for their support by the inhabitants of Virginia. We the subscribers inhabitants of the colony of Virginia do declare that the people of the several states of British America are subject to the laws which they adopted at their first settlement and to such others as have been since made by their respective Legislatures duly constituted and appointed with their...
42From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander White, 19 April 1769 (Jefferson Papers)
Your messenger being about to return before I have an opportunity of conferring with Mr. Blair on the subject of your caveats, I must undertake an answer to your letter tho’ deprived of his assistance. As to the small survey of 220 acres, we need be at no other trouble or expence about it, Mrs. Wood and James Wood not proposing to defend it, and Harrison (as I understand) laying no claim to...
43Advertisement for a Runaway Slave, 7 September 1769 (Jefferson Papers)
[7 September 1769] R un away from the subscriber in Albemarle , a Mulatto slave called Sandy , about 35 years of age, his stature is rather low, inclining to corpulence, and his complexion light; he is a shoemaker by trade, in which he uses his left hand principally, can do coarse carpenters work, and is something of a horse jockey; he is greatly addicted to drink, and when drunk is insolent...
44From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Turpin, 3 June 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
Below I send you a state of the prices of the books you mentioned in your’s as far as it is my power to judge without having seen them. Much depends on their being new, much or little worn, and also upon the editions. And besides this the prices are sometimes accidentally high or low. However I have affixed such prices as I have usually known them cost in England. If the Hawkins’s pleas of the...
45From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Skipwith, with a List of Books for a Private Library, 3 August 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
I sat down with a design of executing your request to form a catalogue of books amounting to about 30. lib. sterl. but could by no means satisfy myself with any partial choice I could make. Thinking therefore it might be as agreeable to you, I have framed such a general collection as I think you would wish, and might in time find convenient, to procure. Out of this you will chuse for yourself...
46From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Burke?, 6 December 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
I must again trouble you in the case of MacVee v. Wilson &c. Oranges, since on a second attempt to draw the bill I find my instructions deficient. The condition of the bond of Wilson to McVee is ‘that Wilson shall indemnify McVee from all costs of suits writs or disturbances that shall arise against the said McVee on the said James Wilson’s account by Mr. Paul Loyall or his assigns, and if any...
47Memorandum Books, 1768 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 7. Inclosed writ in Christian v. Patteson to sheriff of Buckingham. 13. Samson v. Wm. Winston. The trial was in April 1758 (or within a court or two of it). Search S. O. for Kimbro’s depon. 14. Thompson v. Robertson. The def. is dead. Wm. Cabell has rented the land to Patr. Napier, Benjn. Thacker, & Anthony Askew. Send for escheat warrt. Delivered the sheriff the sci. fa. in Hickman v....
48From Thomas Jefferson to Archibald Cary and Benjamin Harrison, 9 December 1774 (Jefferson Papers)
As I mean to be a conscientious observer of the measures generally thought requisite for the preservation of our independent rights, so I think myself bound to account to my country for any act of mine which might wear an appearance of contravening them. I therefore take the liberty of stating to you the following matter that thro’ your friendly intervention it may be communicated to the...
49From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 21 February 1770 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to acquaint Mrs. Page of the loss of my favorite pullet; the consequence of which will readily occur to her. I promised also to give her some Virginia silk which I had expected, and I begin to wish my expectations may not prove vain. I fear she will think me but an ungainly acquaintance. My late loss may perhaps have reac[hed y]ou by this time, I mean the loss of my mother’s house by...
50From Thomas Jefferson to Ann Eppes Harris, 26 April 1773 (Jefferson Papers)
I have applied to Mr. Waller on the subject of your bonds. He sais that Colo. Hunter when he left the country directed him not to call for the money due from yourself and son nor to do any thing further with your bonds till further orders. On being furnished by Daniel Hylton with a copy of Colo. Hunter’s letter […] he immediately inclosed it to Colo. H[unter an]d desired his directions […] for...