Thomas Jefferson Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/03-16-02-0201

Joel Yancey to Thomas Jefferson, 6 September 1820

From Joel Yancey

Bedford 6th September 1820

Dear Sir

I have been anxiously expecting you at the P. Forest for some time past, or should have written you sooner, Since Mr Randolph was here it has been reported that he had taken the management of your Estate here for the ensuing year, and that he intended to send up Overseers, indeed he mentioned to me himself when he was here last, that something of the kind was talked of between you and himself, I wish to know the fact, as it is getting late in the season to get good overseers and you can,t do without, and as it is my duty should you desire it to engage them for you—   Our crop of Tobo will be short, owing to the Scarcity of plants, the first time I ever faild in plants,1 some of my most industrious nieghbors faild entirely and I am satisfied,2 there will not be more than ½ crops Tobo in this part of the country, and yours is as promising as any, with the hay that can be spared I think it will be equal to a full crop, should they go on with the turnpike road, every pound of hay will be wanted and taken from the meadow at a 6/– ⅌ct and I think you can spare 30 or 40 ton—the crop of Wheat is only tolerable, the Ridge & Tomahawk fields were both in wheat, and they are too much exhausted for any thing, too much of our labour here every year, has been wasted upon poor land, our crop of corn is abundant, you have not had a better crop in 15 years I dare say and a fine crop of Oats, the bill of sawing is compleated long since, & appears to be pretty well seasoned, I will thank you to write me as soon as convenient whether any change in the dispositions of your affairs here has, or likely to take place next year, In the mean time you may rely on my best exertions for your interest and my best wishes for your happiness.

Joel Yancey

RC (MHi); addressed: “Mr Thomas Jefferson Monticello”; franked; postmarked Lynchburg, 8 Sept.; endorsed by TJ as received 24 Sept. 1820 and so recorded in SJL.

1Preceding two words interlined in place of “before.”

2Manuscript: “satisfieed.”

Index Entries

  • Bedford County, Va.; roads in search
  • corn; at Poplar Forest search
  • crops; hay search
  • crops; oats search
  • hay search
  • lumber; cutting of search
  • oats; at Poplar Forest search
  • overseers; at Poplar Forest search
  • Poplar Forest (TJ’s Bedford Co. estate); corn grown at search
  • Poplar Forest (TJ’s Bedford Co. estate); management of search
  • Poplar Forest (TJ’s Bedford Co. estate); oats grown at search
  • Poplar Forest (TJ’s Bedford Co. estate); Overseers at; hiring of search
  • Poplar Forest (TJ’s Bedford Co. estate); sawing at search
  • Poplar Forest (TJ’s Bedford Co. estate); T. J. Randolph visits search
  • Poplar Forest (TJ’s Bedford Co. estate); tobacco grown at search
  • Poplar Forest (TJ’s Bedford Co. estate); wheat grown at search
  • Randolph, Thomas Jefferson (TJ’s grandson; Jane Hollins Nicholas Randolph’s husband); as manager of Poplar Forest search
  • Randolph, Thomas Jefferson (TJ’s grandson; Jane Hollins Nicholas Randolph’s husband); visits Poplar Forest search
  • roads; in Bedford Co. search
  • tobacco; grown at Poplar Forest search
  • tobacco; grown in Va. search
  • wheat; at Poplar Forest search
  • Yancey, Joel (d.1833); as superintendent of Poplar Forest search
  • Yancey, Joel (d.1833); letters from search