Thomas Jefferson to John L. Thomas, 24 July 1812
To John L. Thomas
Monticello July 24. 12.
Sir
In the year 1804. Charles Henderson executed a deed to Craven Peyton to which you were a witness. this deed was proved in court by the two other witnesses, and has remained unrecorded ever since for want of your attestation. as I hold the land under that deed I request the favor of you to attend our next court in order to compleat the proof, that it may be committed to record. lest I should not have an opportunity of writing to you, I desired the clerk to issue a summons, but for greater certainty have concluded to send this by a special messenger. your compliance will oblige Sir
Th: Jefferson
P.S. should any thing prevent my being at Court, have the goodness to apply to the clerk at the court table.
PoC (MHi); postscript adjacent to signature; at foot of text: “Mr John L. Thomas”; endorsed by TJ.
On 18 Mar. 1801 Charles Henderson sold a portion of property he inherited in Albemarle County to his brother James L. Henderson, who on the following day conveyed this part of the Bennett Henderson estate to craven peyton (Craven and Jane Peyton’s Conveyance of the Henderson Lands [22 Aug. 1809]). For the 31 Jan. 1804 document confirming this transaction after Charles Henderson reached legal age, see TJ to Thomas, 23 Feb. 1813, and note.