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...