1Thomas Jefferson’s Conveyance of Bear Branch Land to William Radford and Joel Yancey, 7 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
This indenture made on the seventh day of December one thousand eight hundred and eleven between Thomas Jefferson of the county of Albemarle on the one part and William Radford and Joel Yancey both of the county of Campbell on the other part, witnesseth that,
2Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 7 June 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I omitted among my memorandums to request you to have all the seed of the oat-grass at mr Goodman ’s saved, in order to make lots near each of the Overseer’s houses. it comes a month earlier than any other grass, and is therefore valuable for ewes & lambs, calves, yearlings and poor cows. there should also be good clover lots adjoining, independant of the large clover fields. I have enquired...
3Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 18 July 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 9 th and observe one article in it requiring immediate answer, that which relates to the using our wheat for bread, instead of purchasing corn. the price of last year’s flour now at Richmond is 8.D. & of this year’s 10.D. which is equal to 8/ and 10/ for wheat; and war in Europe , now I think absolutely certain, will ensure the last price at least, thro’...
4Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 21 July 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of the 18 th I omitted a material article, which was to give the inclosed bill to mr Atkinson & get him to saw it immediately so as to have it ready on the arrival of the carpenters. there are, I imagine, belted poplars in the cleared grounds sufficient to furnish the stocks, for I do not suppose they will take more than 3. or 4. trees. he will need help in pitting, but the...
5Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 20 February 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
A letter of the 14 th from mr Gibson informs me my tob o was not then down. this occasions me to send the bearer express, our cross mail being too dilatory to be depended on. my anxiety on this subject is occasioned by my having money engagements due at our last and next court which depend for fulfilment on the tob o getting to mr Gibson ’s hands, until which I cannot draw on him. I imagine...
6Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 15 March 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 4 th was recieved the day before yesterday consequently the very day the Collector of the US. taxes was to call on you. as the law allows 20. days from that date for payment, this will reach you in time. you did not say what is the amount of the tax; but my grandson Th: J. Randolph has happened to be at Lynchburg where he was told by mr Robertson it was about 170.D. I therefore...
7Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 21 May 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I informed mr Darnell that nothing on account of the misfortunes of the last year, scarcely any thing made for market there or here, immense purchases of corn for bread here and some there, and unexampled taxes, I could not pay his wages till another crop should come in. he said he should be particularly in want of 50.D. which therefore I promised to send him. I have also to pay John Depriest...
8Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 13 September 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Aug. 29. came to hand on the 4 th inst. I had packed and was to have set off for Pop. For. with mrs Randolph and some of the family on Monday the 2 d inst. but on the Sunday recieved a visit which detained us till these rains begun. they still continue & were they now to stop it will be still some days before we can cross James river : I therefore find it necessary to write, as some...
9Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 21 December 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved 3 days ago your’s of Dec. 14. and now inclose you an order on Richmond for 94.70 D the amount of my US. taxes in Bedford , which are exactly the half this year of what they were the last. I inclose you also a blank for the lit list of the stock, stating the heads under which they are to be stated. I am sorry to inform you that the completion of the waggon will be very much...
10Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 6 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
During the unexampled spell of hard weather which we had in Jan. & Feb. and March , I thought it better not to send the waggoners on the road, and especially as Milly and her two young children were to come back with them. but it has been with inexpressible regret that I have been obliged to retain them latterly while these fine ploughing days were passing. but the necessity of bringing corn...
11Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 19 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
The waggons arrived yesterday forenoon with every thing safe except that Jerry left one of his mules dying on the road. this I dare say was the effect of poverty, which is the stamp of all our animals here. they have no forage short or long but what he I buy, and people are now talking of 8. and 10.D. a barrel for corn. I hope, if there is to be such another year, I shall not live to see it. I...
12Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 25 June 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I send off Nace and Philip this morning to assist in your harvest, and intended to have set out myself, but am prevented by the lameness of one of my horses. I am in hopes he will be fit for the road in 2. or 3. days more, and that I shall be close on the heels of the bearers. we begin to cut rye this day and on Monday our wheat will be in order. it is recovered from the fly more than we ever...
13Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 3 November 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
When I left you I counted with certainty on being at Poplar Forest during the last week at the latest; but the decision on my road here which comes on in our court to-day or tomorrow has detained me. to that is now added the difficulty of keeping our workmen at the College together so as to ensure the finishing it. this depends on their diligence for one fortnight more within which time the...
14Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 11 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Dick arrived here on Friday night with every thing safe. he yesterday he rested of course with his relations and to-day being Sunday he will start tomorrow. Phill will go immediately into the smith’s shop. Hanah ’s Billy is in the Cooper’s shop, and as soon as he can make a good barrel he shall return to Poplar Forest . he is too ungovernable. if what flour you have is not gone to Richmond ,...
15Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 18 February 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
It being now high time to try the experiment of burning our stubble fields as a means of destroying the brood of the fly deposited in them, and ready the first warm spell to come out and lay their eggs in the new wheat, I take up my pen to state to you the method as going into practice here. you take a still day, and burn a margin all round the field sufficient to secure the fences. then the...
16Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 14 March 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 5 th has been recieved. I prefer sending the flour to Richmond . it is more convenient to concentrate all my funds in one hand; and it also increases confidence in my correspondent , so that if at any time I have occasion to overdraw, he knows himself sure of recieving the funds. Lynchburg too is no wheat market. while they were offering 9/ there it was & is 13/6 and 14/ at...
17Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 29 July 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
According to promise I now inclose you mr Morris ’s and Maj r Pollard ’s reciepts for their 1 st instalments to the Central College . I shall set out tomorrow for the meeting at Rockfish gap , and when our business is done there I shall go on to the Warm springs . I shall probably be back the last week of August, and be with you a fortnight after. I salute you with friendship and respect. PoC (
18Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 11 September 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I am lately returned from the Warm springs with my health entirely prostrated by the use of the waters. they produced an imposthume and eruptions, which with the torment of the journey back reduced me to the extremest weakness. I am getting better, but still obliged to lie night and day reclined in one posture, which makes writing all but impossible. the visitors of the college meet the 1 st...
19Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 10 November 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
When I wrote to you on the 11 th of Sep. I confidently hoped to recover my health and strength to be with you long before this. but I am not yet able to go out of the house: and altho’ much recovered, I shall not have strength for the journey until it will be too cold to undertake it. I shall not therefore see you until April . in this case I must pray you to act in all things for the best...
20Enclosure: Thomas Jefferson’s List of Blankets and Beds to be Distributed to Poplar Forest Slaves, [ca. 10 November … (Jefferson Papers)
Blankets. Beds Cate Cate Hal Hanah . Cate ’s Hanah Lucinda . Sally Edy Armistead Dinah Maria . Cate ’s
21Enclosure: Thomas Jefferson’s Sawing Instructions for James Martin, [ca. 10 November 1818] (Jefferson Papers)
Bill for Capt Martin 10. joists 8. by 10.I. 24.f. long clear of bad knots windshakes & cracks. heart of poplar. 10. d o 4 by 10.I. 24.f. long. heart of poplar clear of bad knots. 5. pieces 6.I. square 16.f. long. heart of poplar. 500.f. sheeting plank. poplar. PoC ( MHi
22Thomas Jefferson to William Radford and Joel Yancey, 31 December 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I agreed the last winter with mr Matthew Brown of Lynchburg for the execution of certain brickwork at the Central College , for which he was to be paid the price at which similar work should be done in Lynchburg this present year 1818. that price is now to be settled, and as all the evidence on the subject must be found in Lynchburg or it’s neighborhood, to which place I shall not be able to...
23Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 4 January [1819] (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 18 th Dec. was not recieved till the 28 th . that of the 24 th came at the same time which proved that the first had lost a week at some of the intermediate post offices, and often they lose a fortnight. the bringing home some corn detained the waggon till now. it carries up some doors for the house which should be put in one of the rooms where they will be kept dry, and a...
24Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 17 January 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
The waggons arrived here on Wednesday a little after the middle of the day. we were under extreme sufferance for the want of a short job of hauling, and I thought it better to set both about it that they might go back together; and the rather as every day’s stay enabled Johnny Hemings to add another plough frame. they will accordingly carry you three made on Thursday, Friday & Saturday, and...
25Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 22 February 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
On settling up the affairs of the year I find I shall again be mortifyingly deficient in meeting the demands which 3 years of war, and 4. years of Goodman & Darnell have accumulated on me . an unwillingness to break in on testi testamentary provisions made for my family has hitherto prevented my relieving myself, by some sale of property, from the pain of witholding the money of others which...
26Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 9 March 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Feb. 19 . was recieved the 1 st inst. as was also the joint letter from yourself & mr Radford . I now inclose you an order for 55 D. 65. cents the balance which you mention as due for the taxes of the last year . I did not send you an order for the whole taxes at the time because I did not know their amount and expected you would have noted it to me. I shall take care to pay your...
27Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 25 May 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
The sale of my tob o in Richmond has been so miserable (averaging but 5.D) out of which the transportation is yet to be deducted that I do not think what remains on hand (if not already sent) ought to be sent there; and that you had better get what you can for it at Lynchburg where it’s intrinsic character is better known. the proceeds may be paid to mr White in part of his last year’s wages....
28Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 25 June 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved on the 21 st your letters of the 10 th and 13 th and learn with much concern the deaths and sickness among our people. at one plantation here we are in worse condition, 16. being now laid up with the nervous fever of whom two have died, Milly Sall ’s daughter wife of Barnaby , and a child of
29Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, [18?] October 1819 (SJL description) (Jefferson Papers)
[ Monticello , (18?) Oct. 1819 . SJL entry for a letter to Yancey listed immediately underneath that to Yancey of 16 Oct. 1819 reads “taxes E t c. Hanah’s Billy .” Letter not found. Yancey
30Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 16 October 1819 (SJL description) (Jefferson Papers)
[ Monticello , 16 Oct. 1819 . SJL entry reads “ corn. wheat. hogs. taxes. cheese. biscuit. iron sheet.” Letter not found.]
31Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 23 October 1819 (SJL description) (Jefferson Papers)
[ Monticello , 23 Oct. 1819 . SJL entry reads “ inclos g ord. on P.G. fav r A. Robertson 146.D. taxes John Hem. to put up E. & W. stair doors. Billy
32Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 30 October 1819 (SJL description) (Jefferson Papers)
[ Monticello , 30 Oct. 1819 . SJL entry reads “ Moses ’s Billy rec d . sell Han ’s Billy 6. or 700.D. Robertson
33Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 14 November 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 3 d did not get to Charlottesville unti l last night. I had written to you on the 30 th of Oct. by mr Bishop who said he would deliver it in 2. days. I presume you recieved it soon after yours of the 3 d . the cart now carries up the window irons for John Hemings
34Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 27 November 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Henry delivered your letter and all the articles entrusted to him safely on Tuesday night. I now inclose you a list of the cloathing to be given to every one of the people according to their ages, also of the blankets and beds to be given this year, which you will find in the columns headed 1819. I have given the columns of the last and next year, to shew those who recieved the last year &...
35Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 4 December 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Having got my endorsem e nt for mr Nicholas arranged with the bank of the US. all to the recording of the deed , which I have promised them to have done, I inclose it to you for this purpose; and wishing to be punctual with them I will pray you to get it done immediately by the clerk and send me his certificate that I may forward it to them. they have given 2. 3. & 4. years for the payment of...
36Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 11 December 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Dec. 11. 19. wrote to Joel Yancy by Henry going with 2. mules to bring John Hemings E t c. & tools. that J.H. must put away all remaining stuff, first making a list of it for me that I may know what will be wanting for next year. send preserved peaches by him request Hepburn to come, see our streams, site & buildings & give a bill of scantling. I will pay the time & expence of the journey.
37Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 25 December 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter by Jerry I forgot to request you to send by the waggon the barrel of biscuit also, as before spring it will become mouldy probably and spoilt. With respect to the canal, I look to the grinding plaister as the thing which is to produce us crops and improve our lands. and that therefore we should think it a lasting compensation for shortening a particular crop somewhat. yet I would...
38Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 11 February 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a bill of sawing which I must get you to have done by Cap t Martin ; and the earlier it is pressed the better, because water may fail, and it ought to be seasoned for the Fall’s use. I have 3. days ago been enabled by a swell in the river and breaking up of the ice to send down some flour. it is the 1 st moment it could be sent since July. allowing a little time for the sale I...
39Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 16 March 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I send this by mr Coffee , who going on to Columbia in S.C . passes by Lynchburg , and proposes to call at Poplar Forest . he is an eminent artist in statuary & painting and a very estimable man, and will call at P.F. to see the house and if he should find it convenient to make a stage of it, or a short resting place, I should be glad that Hanah should accomodate him there the best she can, &...
40Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 22 April 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I confidently expected to have set out for the Forest on the 15 th or soon after, under the known necessity however to be here again the 1 t week in May. but one circumstance after another has turned up to delay me untill time has so advanced that were I now to go, I could stay not more than 3. or 4. days. I must therefore defer it 2. or 3. weeks more. Never were such times seen as we have...
41Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 12 May 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I now inclose you an order on mr Gibson in favor of mr Hepburn for 50.D. it is the first moment it has been in my power. not knowing his Christian name I have left a blank for it to be inserted. I am still uncertain as to the time of my setting out for Poplar forest , tho extremely anxious to do so. under this uncertainty I leave it to mr Hepburn to come on immediately or await my visit to...
42Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 20 May 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of the 12 th inst. I left to the convenience of mr Hepburn whether he would come on immediately, or await my visit to Bedford ; but the time of that visit is become so uncertain, and the pressure of my want of him here is so urgent, that I must pray you to press on him to come on immediately, as the distress for some of my work is so great that every day’s delay is a serious...
43Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 22 May 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my letter by mr Burwell I have reciev ed from mr Gibson an account of the sale of my tob o . he says 3 hhds were refused, the other very much stained and the quality of the tob o inferior. it averaged 5.82 and deducting carriage it will be 5 ½ D. on this trial of the Richmond
44Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 14 October 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
We should have been now about setting off for Poplar Forest , but for the accident of 3 of my carriage horses being recently taken with the disease called the sore tongue. I am told that the cure of this will require 10. days and will leave them so emaciated as to require time to make them able to take the road. the time of my setting out depends therefore on this uncertainty. mrs Randolph...
45Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, with Jefferson’s Note, 28 October 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of the 14 th I mentioned the circumstance of the illness of my horses which was likely to delay my visit to Poplar Forest . three of them are nearly well and the others begin to mend. I hope we may by high feeding get them able to take the road in 12. or 14. days, and I shall do it the moment they seem able. my hope is to set out about the 8 th of Nov. the advance of the cold...
46Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 30 December 1820 (SJL description) (Jefferson Papers)
[ Monticello , 30 Dec. 1820 . SJL entry reads “ a chair. 2 doz. wine. trees.” Letter not found.]
47Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 4 January 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I have for sometime been becoming sensible that age was rendering me incompetent to the management of my plantations. failure of memory, decay of attention and a loss of energy in body & mind convince me of this; as well as the vast change for the better since my plantations here have been put under the direction of my grandson T. J. Randolph . his skill, his industry and discretion satisfy me...
48Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 27 January 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved by my grandson yours of the 14 th and cannot say that I have recieved any thing which has given me more pain . nothing on earth was farther from my intention than that it should be considered as intended to give you an opportunity to withdraw. it was sincerely meant, as it was expressed, to be a withdrawal of myself from a superintendance to which age had rendered me incompetent and...
49Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 19 March [1821] (Jefferson Papers)
Nace arrived here Friday evening with his beeves safe, but not as lucky as to his muttons. one got from him at Chilton’s , another gave out at Warren and the other 4. about 10. miles from here. by sending him back immediately with a cart, these were recovered and brought home, and the other two will not probably be lost. Jefferson will be with you about ten days hence and will advise with you...
50Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 11 May 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
Jefferson will not be able to go to Bedford for some time. he set off this day to Richmond to see his own tob o look ed at and sold. he advises that that of Pop. For. be sent off immediately to Richmond . I had on the road a conversation with a gentleman of knolege on the subject, and he assures me that the Lynchbg purchaser, besides deducting the carriag e,