1To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 20 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be Delivered to you My Dear Father by Beverly Randolph whom you may reccollect to have seen at your house in the Spring 1806. Mrs. Madison has been so kind as to procure for him young Nourse’s place during his absence or untill some thing better offers. enclosed is a little seal of my Mother that I Must beg the favor of you to have mended and My watch key if it is possible to make it...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 7 May 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Randolph recieved your letter respecting the bonds 2 days before he set off for Richmond and carried them down with him. He has by Mr. Colquehoun’s not appearing been cast in his suit with Rogers and fined 77 pounds which added to the other expences attending a suit amounts to upwards of a hundred. It is particularly unlucky at this time as he has met with many misfortunes which will...
3[To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson, 10 April 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 10 Apr. 1784 . Noted in SJL as received 19 Apr. 1784. Not found.]
4To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson, 3 May 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I was very sorry to see by your letter To Mr. Short that your return would be put off, however I hope of not much, as you must be here for the arival of my sister. I wish I was my self all that you tell me to make her, however I will try to be as near like it as I can. I have another landskape since I wrote to you last and began another peice of music. I have not been able to do more having...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 23 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
As you have been so long without hearing from any of us Mr. Randolph begged me to write a few lines to you that you might not be uneasy. He had began to do it himself but was prevented by a very bad cut in his thumb. It is almost 5 weeks since I have recieved a letter from you which I attribute to the irregularity of the post: that of Charlottesville they say is reestablished. Anthony has been...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 18 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I gave the keys of the wine cellar in to Dinsmore’s hands who promissed to superintend the botling of the wine. if the bottles and corks hold out would you wish them to begin upon any other cask? and which should have the prefference? Your letter to Ann was forwarded by the same post. she left us the monday before only, in a state of such extreme dejection at the sepparation from her family...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 10 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
My children have escaped the measles most wonderfully and unaccountably for so strongly were we all prepossessed with the idea of it’s being impossible that from the moment of it’s appearing upon the plantation I rather courted than avoided the infection and the children have been on a regimen for 4 or 5 weeks in the constant expectation of breaking out. Ann has been twice declared full of it...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 11 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you a shoe that fits perfectly the only objection to it is, the heel which is too high. I must beg the favor of you to add a comb for tucking up the hair, to the shoes. will this affair of the Chesapeake affect your return? we have had thro’ the medium of the newspapers, news of a later date than your letter contained which announce an actual commencement of hostilities on the side of...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 16 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved with gratitude and pleasure inexpressible, my dearest Father, the elegant medal you sent me. it arrived safely with out a scratch even, and is I think a good likeness; but as I found fault with Houdon for making you too old I shall have the same quarrel with the medal also. you have many years to live before the likeness can be a perfect one. Mr R—desired me to tell you that as his...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 2 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall go to Monticello a day or two before you arrive as it is probable by the return of the waggon you will be able to fix a day for your return. the arrangements necessary for retrenching all possible expense no one can be more thoroughly convinced of the necessity of than my self. your comfort My Dearest Father must however be the only Criterion any Incroachment upon that were it...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 31 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Pardon me Dearest Father for having so long delayed answering your letter . great was the anxiety I suffered untill it arrived, nor was that any ways relieved by hearing what a horrible journey you had had, although it may ultimately prove fortunate if it serves as a warning against future exposure to cold and fatigue which every day of your life you will be less able to bear. no appology can...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 22 February 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
Uncertain whether this will still find you at Philadelphia or no, I shall write but a few lines; happy in the thought of it’s being the last Time I shall have it in my power to do so, before we embrace you. I have heard from Maria since the letter I recieved from you containing an account of her indisposition and recovery , and Mr Eppes mentioned that she had been again unwell, too much so to...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 23 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your conjectures with regard to the tea & Coffee was correct as we just began upon the last stock with out making any sensible impression upon them. I have no doubt therefore but there will be enough of both of those articles as well as of chocolate. cooking wine will be wanting & the madeira gave out before you left us there was no white wine therefore but what was in the octagon cellars. I...
14[To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson, 30 March 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 30 Mch. 1784. Noted in SJL as received 19 Apr. 1784. Not found.]
15To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 20 February 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Just arrived from a journey of 3 months on which I have not had it in my power to write to you. I am impatient to take the first opportunity of renewing a correspondance so very pleasing to me. I recieved your letters all together at Dick Randolph’s and should have answered them imediately but Mr. Randolph’s writing rendered it unecessary at that time. We have had a most disagreable journey...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 19 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
In an absence of 3 months I blush to think that this is the first time I have written to my Dear Father. it does not arise however as you suppose from want of materials, & still less of inclination, but from a spirit of procrastination which by inducing me to defer allways to the last moment, finally ocasions the total loss of opportunity. my affection, my thoughts are however, perpetually...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 2 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very much obliged to you My Dear est Father for your kindness in saving me from the anxiety to which an exagerated report would have occasioned me. I am in hopes the swelling will go off with out suppuration. Mr Eppes found me with exactly such a one as you describe when he returned from Washington in the spring 1804 except that the pain had brought on an affection of the stomach and head...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, [23 June 1798] (Jefferson Papers)
It is easier to concieve than express the sensations with which the sight of the preparations for your return inspires us. I look forward to Theusday with raptures and palpitations not to be described; That day which will once more reunite me to those most dear to me in the world. adieu Dearest and adored Father the heart swellings with which I address you when absent and look forward to your...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 27 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have sent the 4 spoons & a large french Ladle there being 2 others left one french and one english belonging to the B S M spoons. Bacon will also give you a bundle for Jefferson which I must beg the favor of you to forward to him. in packing up the books which was left to himself to do, we have discovered that he has left nearly one half of the Buffon. I presume the best way will be to pack...
20Martha Jefferson Randolph to Thomas Jefferson, 7 August 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I found very readily the two bundles of papers which I enclose. to Capt Peyton who has been with us lately says that he has your cement, and books, but that the river is so low that not a boat can float— the smith’s shop took fire a few days since and but for the circumstance of his being here with M r Randolph & F Gilmer it would certainly have burnt down. there was no man upon the mountain...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 1 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose you another letter My Dearest Father, irksome as it is for me to add to your vexations of the kind Mr. R. thinks he can not refuse without danger of giving offense, friends who think they have a claim upon him. Mr Hackley also wrote to beg him to mention his name to you. we recieved the vaccine safe and will innoculate our children immediat ly as well as our neighbours. Jefferson was...
22To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 25 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters found us all together at Edgehill. Maria does not look well but considering all things she seems to be in as good health as can be expected. my own has been uncommonly so, since my return from Monticello. with your request of going over immediately it is utterly impossible to comply; Mrs Bache’s family being with us at present, and to remain, untill the Doctor’s return. Maria...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 24 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Randolph has been applied to by the people of the County generally to know if you would have any objection to their meeting you on the road and escorting you to Charlottesville. not only the militia companies but the body of the people. they wish it as the last opportunity they can have of giving you a public testimony of their respect and affection if you will write to him by the return of...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 22 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Jupiter had given us so terrible an account of your sufferings from the ice on the patowmac that we began to be seriously alarmed about you, before the arrival of your letters , which came both to gether; it was with infinite pleasure than that we learned you had got the better of your cold and were at least comfortably if not agreably fixed for the winter. it is much more than we can boast...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 8 February 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I am ashamed indeed my Dearest Father to have so justly incurred the reproach contained in your last. allthough the trip down the country was soon relinquished, yet my time has been more varied than is usual with me; after your departure we spent ten days with Mrs Divers, Carr, Trist, &c &c &c during which time I went to a ball in Charlottesville, danced at it and returned home fatigued and...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 27 May 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I intended writing to My Dearest Father by the last post but being prevented I have taken this opportunity rather than differ it an other week. Young Nicholas Lewis is just returned from Williamsburg with his Lady whom I have not been to see as yet but I certainly intend it shortly. Altho I have some reason to complain of the airs that family has given themselves of late with me they find it...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 15 May 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Being prevented by the unexpected arrival of company to day, I have it in my power to write but a few lines to my Dearest Father while the rest of the family sleep. to repeat what he so well knows allready how tenderly loved how anxiously expected he is by every member of the family they are all unwell at present with colds so bad as to create suspicions of the hooping cough particularly the...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 16 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
With infinite pleasure I date once more from Monticello tho for the third time since my return but from the negligence of the servant that carried the letters once and the great hurry of the post another time they never got farther than Charlottesville. Our dearest Anne has had an attack of a different nature from her former ones which the doctor imagines to proceed from her fatening too...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 30 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Lilly was here a fortnight ago to beg I would write to you immediately about some business of his, but a change on the post day disappointed me in sending the letters written to have gone by it. he says you desired him to part with 100 barrils of corn as more than you required, but he says he has got it on very good terms 16 or 16, 6 a barril and that there is not one bushell too much, on...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson, 25 March 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Though the knowledge of your health gave me the greatest pleasure, yet I own I was not a little disappointed in not receiving a letter from you. However, I console myself with the thought of having one very soon, as you promised to write to me every week. Until now you have not kept your word the least in the world, but I hope you will make up for your silence by writing me a fine, long letter...
31To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 29 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
We recieved your letter and are preparing with all speed to obey its summons, by next friday I hope we shall be able to fix a day, and probably the shortest time in which the horses can be sent after recieving our letter will determine it. tho as yet it is not entirely certain that we can get off so soon. will you be so good as to send orders to the milliner Mde Pick I believe her name is,...
32To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 26 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
We recieved your 3 Last letters yesterday which by the carelessness of the post master in Richmond have been detained many weeks, indeed their negligence is intolerable, we have just heard of some of Mr. Randolphs Letters to you that have gone on to Lexington in kentucke. Those that we do get, come so irregularly without any regard to their dates that it is impossible to follow your directions...
33To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 27 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just this moment recieved yours of Jan. 26, which by the negligence of the post has remained a fortnight longer than it ought to have done upon the road. We had already Learnt your resolution of continuing in Philadelphia by a Letter of a Later date to Mr. Randolph. I concieve your anxiety by what I feel my self. It was a cruel disapointment to me who had set my heart upon the pleasure...
34To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 12 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have suffered so much from fatigue and anxiety since my return home that I have not had spirit, to write to my Dearest Father. the day Mr Randolph left me I discovered my Dear Ellen to be in a very advanced stage of a most horrible dissentery which had run on many days, unnoticed except by a little restriction in her diet, from the idea of it’s being a slight bowel complaint occasioned by...
35To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 14 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
some trifling repairs to our house which were to have been finished in three days after you left us, but which the slothfulness of the work men have spun out to 14 have kept us here till now; and as it is we are returning to rooms newly plaistered and the house not yet clear of the workmen. but so much is to be done before winter to make us comfortable that we think it best to go immediately...
36To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 14 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have but a moment to return you a thousand thanks for your goodness in writing so regularly to me during Mr R’s illness. I have been in a state of great anxiety upon his account. Thank heavens it is past. we are all well and after saturday shall look for you hourly god bless you My Dear Father believe me to be yours unalterably Mr Burwell arrived on thursday only and is still with us ViU .
37To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 16 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The subject of your last letter has cast a gloom over my spirits that I can not shake off. the impossibility of paying serious debts by crops, and living at the same time, has been so often proved, that I am afraid you should trust to it. if by any sacrifice of the Bedford Lands you can relieve your self from the pressure of debt, I conjure you not to think of the children, your own happiness...
38To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 9 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
It will be more convenient to us to leave this on wednesday than monday it will occasion a delay of 2 days only, as this is a flying visit only to shew that we are in earnest with regard to Washington I have determined to leave the children all but Jefferson considering the lateness of the season and the bad weather we may reasonably expect in december. The short time [we] shall have to spend...
39To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 18 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Trist who will deliver this can also give a better account of the children than (limited as I am for time) I possibly can. however I must write a few lines to you if it is only to wonder at your long silence. each successive post has been anxiously expected and desired, only to bring along with it fresh dissapointment. my sister left us on Monday with her little boy better than could be...
40To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 14 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
It was so late the other day before I could write that I had only time to add a postscript to Ann’s letter to inform you of Davy Bowle’s intention of going to Washington, and the offer he made of carrying your chair if you wished it; he is still here and will be on theusday, so that your intentions with regard to it may be complied with if known, on that day. he leaves this sometime next week...
41To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph and Thomas Mann Randolph, 31 January 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I should not have waited for your letter my Dearest Father had it been in my power to have written sooner but incredible as it may appear, that in period of 2 months not one day could have been found to discharge so sacred and pleasing a duty, it is litterally true that the first fort night of your absence excepted and 3 or 4 days of the last week, I have not been one day capable of attending...
42[To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson, 12 April 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 12 Apr. 1784. Noted in SJL as received 19 Apr. 1784. Not found.]
43To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 31 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
The first certain accounts we had of your arrival were conveyed by your letter to Mr. Randolph which would as you suposed have met on his way up had we not previously determined upon having the children innoculated. But every circumstance of season health &c. conspiring to make the present opportunity favorable Mr. Randolph thought no interest of his could excuse his letting it slip. I have...
44To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson, 8 [March] 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Being disapointed in my expectation of receiving a letter from my dear papa, I have resolved to break so painful a silence by giving you an example that I hope you will follow, particularly as you know how much pleasure your letters give me. I hope your wrist is better and I am inclined to think that your voyage is rather for your pleasure than for your health. However I hope it will answer...
45To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 26 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
You tell me My dear Father that I ought to write oftener and enforce your request with an argument that has allways been irresistable with me “the pleasure it gives you” but the expression of a tenderness like mine is not easily rendered even by those endowed with the happy faculty of expressing their feelings. that fortunate gift however was never mine or else subjects for a letter could...
46To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 30 January 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment recieved your 2 letters to Mr Randolph & my self (together) and by the same post one from Mr Eppes informing me of the loss of his child. my heart is torn by an event which carries death to hopes so long & fondly cherished by my poor sister. I would give the world to fly to her comfort at this moment but having been dissappointed before in doing what perhaps my anxiety only...
47To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 18 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I am afraid my dear Papa has by this time allmost dispaired of ever recieving another line from me. I have no excuse for having neglected writing entirerly, tho a very good one for not doing it often, my mind has been in such a continual state of anxiety on account of Anne as to render me unfit for any thing. The hopes I had concieved of her recovery are all blasted by a relapse and that too...
48To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 26 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
It is become so probable that I am to spend the winter with you My Dearest Father that I must impose upon your goodness the procuring of some articles not be had in Washington or with certainty even in Richmond. a fashionable wig of the colour of the hair enclosed, a set of combs for dressing the hair, a bonnet, shawl & white lace veil, for paying morning visits. Mrs Madison can chuse them as...
49To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 2 July 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just recieved yours of June 22. The sudden departure of the post who entered Charlottesville the morning and left it before dinner prevented my writing Last week tho Mr. Randolph did and sent his letter after him as far as fluvana courthouse before they could overtake him. To his iregularity is owing that which you complain of in the receipt of my letters. I am very sorry you cannot fix...
50To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 16 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved your kind letter of April the 28 a week ago and should have answered it imediately but that the house was full of company at the time. The subject of it has been one of infinite anxiety both to Mr. Randolph and my self for many months and tho I am too sensible of the iliberality of extending to one person the infamy of an other, to fear one moment that it can reflect any real...