1[From Thomas Jefferson to Elizabeth Wayles Eppes, 4 December 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 4 Dec. 1783 . Entry in SJL reads: “Mrs. E. Pats.—Bets.” Not found.]
2[From Thomas Jefferson to Elizabeth Wayles Eppes, 27 December 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 27 Dec. 1783 . Entry in SJL reads: “Mrs. Eppes. She to write every 1st. Sund. and Mr. E. every 3d.—European news, state of Congr. Ratification. Want of money—[sent?] P. J. [Polly Jefferson] 2 sashes.” Not found.]
3[From Thomas Jefferson to Elizabeth Wayles Eppes, 18 January 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 18 Jan. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Mrs. E. Betsy—Congratulations on daughter—P. A. on marriage—health better—hair-powder.” Not found.]
4[To Thomas Jefferson from Elizabeth Wayles Eppes, 1 April 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Eppington, 1 Apr. 1784 . Noted in SJL as received 16 Apr. 1784, with letter of “Polly.” Mrs. Eppes’ letter has not been found, but see Mary Jefferson to TJ, this date. ]
5[From Thomas Jefferson to Elizabeth Wayles Eppes, 22 April 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 22 Apr. 1784. Entry in SJL reads: “[Apr.] 22. Mrs. E.—Mr. E.—Polly.” This is a single-line entry and, since TJ rarely if ever recorded more than one letter on a line, it is possible to interpret this as meaning that he wrote only to Mrs. Eppes and discussed Mr. Eppes and Polly. The ambiguity cannot be completely resolved in view of the fact that no letter to any one of the three...
6[From Thomas Jefferson to Elizabeth Wayles Eppes, 7 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 7 May 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Mrs. Eppes. Valedictory—inclosed one to Polly.” Neither the letter nor its enclosure has been found.]
7[To Thomas Jefferson from Elizabeth Wayles Eppes, 21 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Eppington, 21 May 1784 . Noted in SJL as received (at Boston) 20 June 1784. Not found.]
8To Thomas Jefferson from Elizabeth Wayles Eppes, 13 October 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Its impossible to paint the anguish of my heart on this melancholy occasion. A most unfortunate Hooping cough has deprived you, and us of two sweet Lucys, within a week. Ours was the first that fell a sacrifice. She was thrown into violent convulsions linger’d out a week and then expired. Your dear angel was confined a week to her bed, her sufferings were great though nothing like a fit. She...
9[From Thomas Jefferson to Elizabeth Wayles Eppes, 11 November 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 11 Nov. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Mrs. Eppes. Patsy at Panthemont. Inclose her letter. My health good till lately. Rem[embrance?] to Mrs. S[kipwith]. Invoice of things for children.” Letter and enclosure not found.]
10[To Thomas Jefferson from Elizabeth Wayles Eppes, 13 September 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Eppington, Va., 13 Sep. 1785 . Recorded in SJL as received 19 Jan. 1786, “by Mr. Littlepage.” Not found.]
11From Thomas Jefferson to Elizabeth Wayles Eppes, 22 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The Mr. Fitzhughs having staid here longer than they expected, I have (since writing my letter of Aug. 30, to Mr. Eppes) received one from Dr. Currie, of August 5, by which I have the happiness to learn you are all well, and my Poll also. Every information of this kind is like gaining another step, and seems to say we “have got so far safe.” Would to God the great step was taken and taken...
12From Thomas Jefferson to Elizabeth Wayles Eppes, 22 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The Mr. Fitzhughs having staid here longer than they expected, I have (since writing my letter of Aug. 30. to Mr. Eppes) received one from Dr. Currie of Aug. 5. by which I have the happiness to learn you are all well and my Poll also. Every information of this kind is like gaining another step, and seems to say ‘We have got so far safe.’ Would to god the great step was taken and taken safely;...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Elizabeth Wayles Eppes, 30 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of Sep. the 22. was never received untill the first of this month. We are particularly unfortunate with regard to our letters. I think at least half have miscarry’d on both sides. The seeds, you so obligingly mention, have never come to hand. The conveyance is so uncertain, I must entreat you not to think of venturing any thing more. We have been made very happy by a visit from...
14From Thomas Jefferson to Elizabeth Wayles Eppes, 14 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I perceive indeed that our friends are kinder than we have sometimes supposed them, and that their letters do not come to hand. I am happy that yours of July 30 . has not shared the common fate. I received it about a week ago, together with one from Mr. Eppes announcing to me that my dear Polly will come to us the ensuing summer. Tho’ I am distressed when I think of this voiage, yet I know it...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Elizabeth Wayles Eppes, [31 March 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
I never was more anxious to hear from you than at present, in hopes of your countermanding your orders with regard to dear Polly. We have made use of every stratagem to prevail on her to consent to visit you without effect. She is more averse to it than I could have supposed; either of my children would with pleasure take her place for the number of good things she is promised. However, Mr....
16To Thomas Jefferson from Elizabeth Wayles Eppes, [7 May 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
This will, I hope, be handed you by my dear Polly, who I most ardently wish may reach you in the health she is in at present. I shall be truly wretched till I hear of her being safely landed with you. The children will spend a day or two on board the ship with her, which I hope will reconcile her to it. For God’s sake give us the earliest intelligence of her arrival. MS not found; text is...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Elizabeth Wayles Eppes, 7 May 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
This will I hope be handed you by my dear Polly, who I most ardently wish may reach you in the health she is in at present. I shall be truly wretched till I hear of her being safely landed with you. The children will spend a day or two on board the ship with her, which I hope will reconcile her to it. For God sake give us the earliest intelligence of her arrival. I am very sorry for the...
18From Thomas Jefferson to Elizabeth Wayles Eppes, 28 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of March 31. and May 7. have been duly received. The last by Polly, whose arrival has given us great joy. Her disposition to attach herself to those who are kind to her had occasioned successive distresses on parting with Capt. Ramsay first, and afterwards with Mrs. Adams. She had a very fine passage, without a storm, and was perfectly taken care of by Capt. Ramsay. He offered to...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Elizabeth Wayles Eppes, 6 January 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of July 28. gave me inexpressible joy, for my heart ached for the safety of my sweet Polly. Your encomiums on her manners, &c. delight me not a little, as I now hope I saw her with an impartial eye, tho clame not the least merit, for her natural disposition is truly amiable. Your account of dear Patsy adds much to my happiness. The day is far distant I fear for the finishing you are...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Elizabeth Wayles Eppes, 12 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Your kind favor of January 6. has come duly to hand. These marks of your remembrance are always dear to me, and recall to my mind the happiest portion of my life. It is among my greatest pleasures to receive news of your welfare and that of your family. You improve in your trade I see, and I heartily congratulate you on the double blessings of which heaven has just begun to open her stores to...
21From Thomas Jefferson to Elizabeth Wayles Eppes, 15 December 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
In my last of July 12. I told you that in my next I would enter into explanations about the time my daughters would have the happiness to see you. Their future welfare requires that this should be no longer postponed. It would have taken place a year sooner but that I wished Polly to perfect herself in her French. I have asked leave of absence of Congress for five or six months of the next...