1To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 6 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Your fear of being a bankrupt is not badly founded as for I think if we were to count our letters you would owe me a great many I do not however desire that you should pay me all as you have already too many to write I only wish that you should keep up the correspondence by writing sometimes to me. Cornelia is very much pleased with the piece of poetry you sent her. Mary says she would tell...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 1 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
My dear Grand papa’s letter of the 29th arrived safe yesterday and brought the disagreeable news of his being unwell but we all sincerely wish and hope that he will soon recover and come on to see us all again. I will give another guess about the pen it is steel is it not? my bantam has hatched 8. pretty little chickens and I shall follow your advice about her treatment. the orange trees are...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 18 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I am glad my Dear Grand papa expresses approbation at my writing about little things as I always shall have enough to say to you in my letters. I shall be much obliged to you for the pen it will be very convenient and usefull to me as I have a great deal of writing to do pray in your next inform me what it is made of I guess it is glass. I shall certainly read Madame de Sevignè’s letters. I...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 19 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter my Dear Grand Papa found us well and conveyed the gratefull intelligence of your being so indeed Mama, and the children have enjoyed better health this winter than common there has not been even a cold amongst them except James and Mary who were a little unwell for two or three days as for the rest they have been in perfect health ever since our return home. fine weather has at...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 14 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have at length guessed right my Dear Grandpapa, about the pen, and am very glad to find it is made of steel. The change in the post, was the cause of your not recieving my letter, of the first of the month, it goes out now much earlier than it formerly did. I am delighted to hear that your head-ach, is over, and that you are to come home so soon. Mr. Mrs, and the two Miss Lindsey’s spent a...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 8 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I should have written to you post before last but I was not at home and newyears day I did write but I did not send the letter because it was not well written as I had bad pens and it was late before I sat down to write. I went sometime ago to a ball given by Mr Ogilvie and his scholars several of the boys recited pieces some of which were done very well particularly a piece by Peter Pindar...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 6 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope my dear grandpapa, will excuse my long silence; when he knows the reason of it which was that I had no paper, but now that papa has come from Richmond, and brought some with him, I will gladly answer your letter. The song, which you sent me, I have always admired as a very beautifull, and pathetic piece and am very glad that you sent it as it has always been one of my favorites. Mama,...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 11 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In compliance with my promise I Take up my pen To write to my Dear Grandpapa. I was disappointed at not recieving a letter from him last post but as I am in hopes I shall get one the next I shall (this being the second week since I have written to you) perform my promise of writing every other post to inform you how we all are I am in a fair way to raise some Bantams as the hen is now setting...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 26 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
My dearest Grand Papa must have a bad opinion of my affection for him if he can suppose that I would stand upon ceremony with him and wait for answers to my letters without considering how much he has got to do and how little in comparison I have. it was not any thing (I am almost ashamed to confess it) but laziness which I am determined to conquer and pursuant with my Inclination write a long...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 14 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now preparing myself to write a short letter to my Dear Grandpapa and hope he will let me hear from him as soon as he recieves it Aunt Jane has gone down the country and it is probable will not return this winter I shall be very sorry if she does not for we shall be very lonesome by ourselves here. I have no news to tell you but I do not suppose you would expect any from me who am in the...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 10 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I expect you think I have forgotten the Promise I made you of writing to you every Post but I have not for I have tried several times but could not effect it for want of implements to do it you must answer my letters for it would give me great Pleasure to keep up a regular Correspondance with you I have no news to tell you except the report that prevails of Mrs. Trists marriage with Governor...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 25 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall write a few lines to inform my dear Grandpapa that all are well here except James and he is not very sick. all the plants are well. we have a great many flowers in bloom Narcissous’s Daffadils Hyacinths Periwinkle and a great number of white violets. my bantam will hatch next week. that is all the news I have got to tell you except that Jefferson is going on very well with his studies...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 27 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I could not miss so good an opportunity of writing to you my Dear Grand Papa as now offers itself to tell you I do not regard your not punctually answering my letters as I know how many you have to write. your grass still continues to look very well and will I hope all the winter. I rely upon your indulgence to excuse this short letter as I have not any thing to say to you Mama, Sister Ann,...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 11 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I expect every moment That They will come to carry my letters to the post office but still I have begun to write in hopes That I shall conclude my letter before the others are sent away. The sweet scented grass I shall take all possible care of. The pot was broken on the way. It was tied together but I shall have to remove the grass soon in another box. Your Orange trees come on very well as...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 11 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
This is the second letter I have written to my dear granpapa without recieving an answer but as I know the reason I will continue to write untill you have leisure to answer my letters. one of my poor little Bantams is dead and the one which I liked best although it was the old one he had got so tame that he would fly up in my lap and eat out of my hand all the children were sorry at his death....
16To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 10 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I cannot let slip so good an opportunity of writing to my Dear Grandpapa as now offers itself although I cannot write a very long letter yet at least I will a few lines to let him see how much I love and respect him and that I intend to correspond with him. we are going over to Edghill to morrow there to wait impatiently untill we can see you again I do not intend to let you catch me in bed...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 15 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved your letter of the 12 yesterday and am very much obliged to you for the Poetry you sent me. I wrote to you the last post but I did not know when Jefferson went to the post office and he went without it I enclose it to you now, I am sincerely sorry that you have that swelling on your face however I hope it will go down how I long for the time that you are to come home to live and...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 15 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
With this letter I send you a book which is in a miserable and tattered condition which if you will have bound for me I will be very much obliged to you it is old and rotten but being valuable to me on account of the person who gave it if it can be stuck together any way so as to prevent it from tumbling to pieces it will do. Many of the leaves are lost for it has seen hard service though not...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 27 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I now set down to write to you and hope you will answer my letter I have often tried to do it before but never could succeed, but now I am determined to do it I suppose you have heard that Cousin Eliza Pleasants is gone away. Uncle William and Mr. Hackley have been here and left us yesterday Excuse the faults and bad writing of this letter since nothing but my anxiety to write to you and to...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 4 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just recievd my Dear Grand Papa’s letter, and am very much obliged to him for it, since I cannot have a greater pleasure than to recieve letters from him. I have a question to ask you that I did not put in my last letter, it is what is seventh fine art? I know six of them Painting, Sculpture, architecture, Music, Poetry, Oratory, but mama nor myself either cannot recollect the seventh....
21To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 12 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved the Bantams for which I am very much obliged to you they seem to be larger, and younger, than the first and I think them handsomer. I have no news to tell you for being in the country. I seldom have any thing worth relating and that being the case I can never write long letters, unless you suffer me to speak of myself I have begun the Grecian History in which I am very much...
22To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 23 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have not time this post but will certainly write the next I am dear Grandpapa your affectionate grand Daughter. MHi : Coolidge Collection.
23To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 26 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I would have written to you last post, if I had had time, but I am determined to do it this, although I have not much to say, unless I talk about the plants; those in the large box were killed to the roots, but they are coming up all over the box; those in the small pot were killed also, but are putting out small fresh buds; the evergreens have lost all their leaves but one branch on each,...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 1 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
It has been three weeks since my Dear Grand papa has been away and I have not written once but I am determined now to let him see I have not forgotten my promise. we have all resumed our lessons and go on very well. Virginia is now reading and Mary spells very well. Mama has been sick but she has now quite recovered. poor little James has a very bad breaking out he is still a sweet fellow and...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 21 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
My dearest Grand papa must not imagine because he received no letter last post that I did not write for the post now goes out Friday and my letter was too late for it but I send it to him now. we have had blue and white lilac blue and white flags and Jonquils I found also in the woods a great many mountain cowslips and wild Ranunculus besides other wild flowers. I have got the seed of the...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 24 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The post is going directly and I only have time to write a few lines to let you know that we are all well and I hope you are so. I wrote to you last saturday and shall wait impatiently to hear from you soon. I have not time to write any more to you now but I will very shortly make amends for this short letter Mama and all the children send their love to you give mine to Mrs K. Smith adieu my...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 20 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
How was I disappointed at not recieving a letter from my Dear Grand Papa this Post in answer to one I wrote him: you said in your letter to Sister Ann, that you expected but a short one from me, however I am determined to keep up a regular correspondence, if possible. you said also, that you would catch me in bed the morning of the 18 19 or 20 of this month; I hope you will not, for I shall...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 30 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
It has been a long time since I have heard from my Dear Grandpapa although he is two letters in my debt one of which I expected last post but not recieving it I concluded it would be better to set down and write to put you in mind of your promise of writing to me sometimes. Jefferson has returned and so has Mr Ogelvie who is going to be married to a Mrs Bankhead of Port Royal who is the widow...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 4 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved my Dear Grandpapas letter with great pleasure and should have answered it last post but by some neglect it remained untill tuesday in the office and therfore I could not answer it as the post went out saturday. We are all recovered now except Mary who is still unwell but she is now much better than she was a few days ago and I hope she will soon be entirely well Aunt Jane has...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 20 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Altho I have only a torn sheet of paper to write upon yet rather than to neglect writing at all I will make use of it; as I have no paper it will not be in my power to write again shortly to you or any body. Little Benjamins eye is almost well and I hope the next letter you receive from me will inform you that there is no more of that troublesome rising which incommoded him and alarmed us for...
31To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 22 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I hardly think it worthwhile to write to you for I have no news nor any thing agreable to tell you but as I know you are always glad to hear from Edgehill I will take up my pen to inform you that all are well here. I am reading Millot in French and Homers Illiad in English I have begun to study Geography and I am very much pleased with it James grows sweeter and better every day he can speak...
32To Thomas Jefferson from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 17 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I suspect that it would be more reasonable to think that your owing me 3 letters proceeds from my having more time than industry although a very little part of this winter has been spent by me in Idleness still however I think that you must have a great deal more to do than I have. Mama has been unwell for several days but I hope she will soon recover all the children are in good health as for...