To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Mann Randolph, 8 December 1800
From Thomas Mann Randolph
Richd. Dec. 8. 1800
Th: M. Randolph TO Th: Jefferson
I left home on Tuesday the 2d. at which time all was as we could wish with us; and was so the day before yesterday as I learn from John Henderson, today arrived here.—Passing thro’ Goochland I learnt a circumstance which I communicate to you as it may be in your power without trouble to procure redress for those incommoded by it. A man called Nathaniel Perkins (being then a storekeeper at the Court house) was made Post-Master for that place & kept the post office there for some time, but at length finding it his interest to move his goods to a place between Little-creek & Licking hole, prevailed on the post rider to stop there instead of the Court house and now keeps the office there, to the manifest inconvenience of the people. Samuel Woodson a very respectable freeholder & tavernkeeper at the C: House was desired by all the neighbourhood to apply for the place of P.M. there and did by letter to Habersham, but has received no answer tho very long time has passed.
Yours most affectionately
Th: M. Randolph
RC (ViU: Edgehill-Randolph Papers); endorsed by TJ as received 17 Dec. and so recorded in SJL.
Nathaniel Perkins received the appointment as postmaster at the Goochland County courthouse in January 1799. A year later Joseph Habersham allowed him to continue in the position even after he had moved, noting that there was no one to “take charge of it at the Court House.” Perkins resigned effective 31 Dec. 1800. With a promise to keep the post office in the vicinity of the courthouse, Anthony Gadsbury was appointed in his place, resigning within a few months. In April 1802 Samuel Woodson was given the post (, 258; Habersham to Nathaniel Perkins, 7 Jan., 5 Dec. 1800 and Habersham to Robert Poor, 11 Apr. 1801, all in DNA: RG 28, LPG).