Thomas Jefferson Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/03-06-02-0366

Thomas Jefferson to Thomas A. Holcombe, 28 August 1813

To Thomas A. Holcombe

Poplar Forest Aug. 28. 13

Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to the Principal of the Lynchburg academy with whom Francis Eppes1 a grandson of his is, the only child of a deceased daughter, whom he has but rare opportunities of seeing. there is with him also another connection, master Baker. it will be a gratification if they can be permitted to come and stay with him till Monday morning when they shall be sent back again. if the principal himself could at any time make it convenient to come and take a plantation dinner with Th:J. he would be very happy to see him. he salutes him with esteem and respect.

PoC (MHi); dateline beneath closing; at foot of text: “Mr Halcomb”; endorsed by TJ.

Thomas Anderson Holcombe (1785–1843), teacher, attorney, and merchant, was born in Prince Edward County and, according to one source, educated at Hampden-Sydney College. He resided in Amelia County in 1810, spent some time in Georgia, and then settled permanently in Lynchburg. Holcombe ran a classical school in his adopted hometown for several years and later worked as a lawyer and a commission merchant. He organized a temperance society and gave speeches, distributed tracts, and traveled the state in aid of this cause. Holcombe also served as Lynchburg’s mayor, 1823–24, as a Presbyterian elder, and as a director of the local branch of the Bank of Virginia. He owned twelve slaves in 1840 (Margaret Anthony Cabell, Sketches and Recollections of Lynchburg by the Oldest Inhabitant (Mrs. Cabell) 1858 [1858; repr. with additional material by Louise A. Blunt, 1974], 247–53; William Asbury Christian, Lynchburg and Its People [1900], 79, 105, 134–5; Ruth H. Early, Campbell Chronicles and Family Sketches Embracing the History of Campbell County, Virginia, 1782–1926 [1927], 427–8; DNA: RG 29, CS, Amelia Co., 1810, Lynchburg, 1820, 1840; Richmond Enquirer, 5 Jan. 1832, 7 Aug. 1835, 7 Nov. 1843; Lynchburg Hustings and Corporation Court Will Book, C:91–2, 319–23; gravestone inscription in Presbyterian Cemetery, Lynchburg).

Maria Jefferson Eppes was TJ’s deceased daughter.

1Preceding two words interlined.

Index Entries

  • Baker, John Wayles (TJ’s grandnephew); TJ’s relationship with search
  • Eppes, Francis Wayles (TJ’s grandson); TJ’s relationship with search
  • Eppes, Maria (Mary) Jefferson (TJ’s daughter; John Wayles Eppes’s first wife); mentioned search
  • Holcombe, Thomas Anderson; identified search
  • Holcombe, Thomas Anderson; invited to visit TJ search
  • Holcombe, Thomas Anderson; letters to search
  • Holcombe, Thomas Anderson; school principal search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Family & Friends; relations with grandchildren search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Family & Friends; relations with J. W. Baker search
  • Lynchburg, Va.; schools in search
  • Poplar Forest (TJ’s Bedford Co. estate); invitations to visit search
  • schools and colleges; in Lynchburg search