1To Thomas Jefferson from Henrietta Maria Colden, 25 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I feel at this moment, that it requires a share of Courage, thus, to solicit your attention, which even the liberality and benevolence of your disposition might fail to inspire; did not the anxieties of a mother surmount feelings, that in other circumstances would have prevented this intrusion; and impel me to address you on a Matter, that lays heavy on my Mind. My Eldest Son (who arrived here...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Henrietta Maria Colden, 20 January 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sure I shall have appeared very inattentive to the honour of the letter you were pleased to write me, but I have not been so in what was essential. The truth is that I have been obliged by an extraordinary press of business, to suspend all private correspondencies for some weeks past. But immediately on the reciept of your letter I laid the wishes of your son before the head of the...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Henrietta Maria Colden, 5 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honor’d with your letter of the 20th. Janry.—If to know your Goodness be to deserve it, I might have some claim to the friendship you have extended to me; but the Benevolence of your Heart is the passport to that attention you have bestowed on my request and situation. In early life, and whilst my Sons were yet in Infancy, the Task to effect their Education, and to extricate their...