1From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Jefferson Eppes, 2 December 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
You will be surprised at receiving a letter from me dated here at this time. But a series of bad weather having suspended our works many days, has caused my detention. I have for some time had my trunk packed and issued my last orders, and been only waiting for it to cease raining. But it still rains. I have a bad prospect of rivers and roads before me. Your sister removed to Belmont about...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Mary Jefferson Eppes, 8 December 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
The fortnight that I spent at Eppington was so taken up in recieving and returning visits, that it was out of my power while there, to write to you. After a safe Journy down, we arrived in perfect health all, my ancle so much mended that I had no further use for my stick, and except a great weakness which I still feel when I attempt to exert it, it is quite well. We left them yesterday, all...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Jefferson Eppes, 7 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I acknowleged, my dear Maria, the reciept of yours in a letter I wrote to mr Eppes. it gave me the welcome news that your sprain was well. but you are not to suppose it entirely so. the joint will remain weak for a considerable time, & give you occasional pains much longer. the state of things at Chesnut grove is truly distressing. mr B.’s habitual intoxication will destroy himself, his...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Mary Jefferson Eppes, 1 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
May I thank you my Dear Papa for your last letter , The advice with which it is fill’d , I feel the importance of, & the solicitude it expresses for my happiness makes me sensible how gratefully I will endeavour to follow it. I hope I shall never do otherwise for I feel more & more every day how much the, happiness of my life depends on deserving your approbation. you will have heard I suppose...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Jefferson Eppes, 7 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved yours, my dear Maria, of Feb. 1. and with that extreme gratification with which I recieve all the marks of your affection. my impatience to get from hence is urged by the double motives of escaping from irksome scenes here, and meeting yourself and others dear to us both. no time is yet spoken of for our adjournment; yet as there is likely to arise nothing which might keep...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Mary Jefferson Eppes, 20 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
We have been to Cumberland since I wrote to you last & saw while there the last melancholy rites paid to my Aunt Skipwith; I was never more affected, & never so sensible of the cruelty of requiring the presence of those who are most deeply afflicted at the ceremony. we came down immediately after it & brought poor Betsy for who’m the scene had been too much with us, as her father fear’d her...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Jefferson Eppes, 1 April 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Mar. 20. came to hand yesterday. you are not aware of the consequences of writing me a letter in so fair a hand, and one so easily read. it puts you in great danger of the office of private secretary at Monticello, which would sometimes be a laborious one. your letter was 11. days coming here, and mr Eppes’s of Feb. 8. was 19. days on it’s way. this shews that there is something wrong...
8From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Jefferson Eppes, 18 May 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
It is very long since I have heard from Eppington. the last letter I [recieved?] was from mr Eppes dated Apr. 4. so long without hearing from you, I cannot be without uneasiness for your health. I have been constantly in the hope that we were within 3. or 4. weeks of rising, but so often disappointed I begin to lose my faith as to any period of adjournment; and some begin now openly to avow...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Mary Jefferson Eppes, 27 May 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
In hopes every day of recieving the long wish’d for & long expected summons to meet you at Monticello, I have delayed answering your last letter which you in laughing at reproved me so justly for my negligence & inattention in writing. from your last to Mr Eppes he does not expect that you will come in till near the 20th of next month, till which time unless your return should be sooner we...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Jefferson Eppes, [6 June 1798] (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 18th. of May since which [I have recieved mr Eppes’s] letter of May 20. and yours of May 27. I have deter[mined to set out from] this place on the 20th. inst. and shall, in my letters of tomorrow, [order my horses] to meet me at Fredericksburg on the 24th. and may therefore be at home on the 26th. or 27th. where I shall hope to have the happiness of meeting you. I can...