1Extract of Ellen W. Randolph (Coolidge) to Martha Jefferson Randolph, [after 29 August 1817], document 3 in a group of … (Jefferson Papers)
Johnny’s arrival gave us great pleasure as we began to be very anxious to hear from you, and I thank you very much for having spared time to write such a long letter. the head of Christ is really a great curiosity, Grand-papa is almost as much pleased with it as we are, and considers it extremely ingenious & original. it is certainly a very fine face and the character is so decided that I...
2Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 31 August 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Ellen tells me that a request is communicated thro’ M r Randolph & yourself from the Freemason societies of Charlottesville to be permitted to lay the first brick of the Central college . I do not know that I have authority to say either yea or nay to this proposition; but as far as I may be authorised, I consent to it freely. the inhabitants of Charlottesville deserve too well of that...
3Extract of Ellen W. Randolph (Coolidge) to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 18 August [1817], document 2 in a group of … (Jefferson Papers)
Cornelia will probably give Virginia a detail of our Journey to the Natural Bridge —for me it was a complete chapter of accidents—my misfortunes began the day I left home and have not yet ceased, for a cold caught I believe in crossing the blue ridge settled upon my face and has kept me in almost constant agonies—I have not been free of pain one moment for the last eight and forty hours and...
4Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 18 August 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose the within, to you, my dearest daughter & friend, because it is of great consequence, to be put into the post office at Charlottesville from which place it will go safer to Staunton than from hence. Ellen writes to you and of course will give the news of this place if she can muster up any. the history of our expedition to the Natural bridge she will write you of course. the sun,...
5Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 3 December 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
We have been, my ever dearest Martha , now weather bound at this place since Sunday was sennight. we were then to have set off on our return home, but it began to rain that day, and we have had three regular N.E. rains successively, with intermissions of a single day between each. during the first intermission, mr Flower left us for Monticello , but by the way of the Natural bridge . by him I...
6Ellen W. Randolph (Coolidge) to Martha Jefferson Randolph, [ca. 10 November 1816] (Jefferson Papers)
We were a good deal disappointed at not recieving letters from some of the family in the large pacquet which came to Grandpapa from Monticello ; one of the girls might have written to let us know that you were all well— Grandpapa We expect to be with you the last of the Month and in the mean time are making very good use of our time; I have got through the Syntax, & have finished Corderi ....
7Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 10 November 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
We are all well here, my dear Martha , and thinking of our return home which will be about the 30 th or perhaps a day or two sooner. it is necessary therefore that the boys, Johnny & Randall shoul with the mules should set off from Monticello on the 19 th or 20 th to take the cart and baggage. I must pray you to desire mr Bacon
8Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 4 November 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
We arrived here on the third day of our journey, without any accident; but I suffered very much both mornings by cold. I must therefore pray you to send my wolf-skin pelisse and fur-boots by Moses ’s Billy , when he comes to bring the two mules to move the Carpenters back. he is to be here on the 27 th by my directions to mr Bacon .
9Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 31 August 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
We all arrived here without accident, myself the day after I left home , having performed the journey in two days, reaching Noah Flood ’s the 1 st day . the story of the neighborhood immediately was that I had brought a croud of workmen to get ready my house in a hurry for Bonaparte . were there such people only as the believers in this, patriotism would be a ridiculous passion. we are...
10Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 13 August 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter you forwarded , my dear Martha, desiring me to attend the Buckingham court of this month, requires an impossibility because that is tomorrow. I Know also that the trial of the question cannot be at the Same court at which the two wills are presented. Time must be given to Summon witnesses, and I Suppose I shall be Served with a Summons notifying the day I must appear.— We have had a...
11Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 6 June 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I have for some time been sensible I should be detained here longer than I had expected, but could not till now judge how long. Chisolm will finish his work in about 10. days, and it is very essential that I should see the walls covered with their plates, that they may be in a state of preservation. this will keep me 3. or 4. days longer, so that I expect to be here still about a fortnight...
12Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 6 May 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
We arrived here, my dear Martha , well & without accident, favored on the road by the weather. the caravan also came well, except overpassing their stage the 2 d day, sleeping in the woods all night, without cover, and overwhelmed by a rain, in the center of which they were, while it did not extend 5 miles in any direction from them. the spinning Jenny is at work, well while with washed...
13Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 24 February 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
When I wrote you this day week, I thought I should have been with you as soon as my letter . so I think with respect to the present one. my whole crop of wheat had been put compleatly out of my own power, and the miller who had rec e ived it has, by twice losing his dam, become insolvent and has delivered over his mill to a person more able to carry it on, but who will need time to repair it....
14Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 17 February 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Our post to Milton is but once a week, and I missed the opportunity of sending my letter to Lynchburg the last week. I performed my journey to this place with as little fatigue and by the same stages as in my chair. and by losing myself the first day I made it 40. miles to mr Scott’s . I have sold my tob o here for 7. Dollars: but my wheat is in an embarrassing situation. the dam of the mill...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 7 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
So constant, my dear daughter, have been my occupations here since Congress met, that it has never been in my power to write any thing which could admit of delay at all: and our post now passing but once a week, lessens the opportunities, tho the rapidity is increased to 24. hours between this place & Charlottesville. I recieved by mr Randolph the frills & a pair of stockings. it will be...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 25 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
A promise made to a friend some years ago, but executed only lately, has placed my religious creed on paper. I have thought it just that my family, by possessing this, should be enabled to estimate the libels published against me on this, as on every other possible subject. I have written to Philadelphia for Doctr. Priestley’s history of the corruptions of Christianity, which I will send you,...
17From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 27 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The last post-days have slipt away from me without adverting to them till too late. I learnt by a letter from Maria that you all got home safe, after a very disagreeable journey. indeed I suffered for you in imagination beyond any thing I had long felt. I found the road, in the short distance I went with you, so much worse than I expected, that I augured a dreadful journey, and sincerely...
18From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 2 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 29th. has relieved me from the great anxiety I had felt on your previous entire silence about your journey. there was no hair inclosed in your letter: but I sent the letter to mrs Madison who has had the order given as you desired, for colours from her own judgment, perhaps those of your own hair. if this should not please, send hair in your Friday’s letter, and within a...
19From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 18 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been expecting by every post to learn from you when I might send on to meet you. I still expect it daily. in the mean time I inclose you 100. Dol. for the expences of yourself, Maria & all your party. mr Randolph would do well to exchange the bills for gold & silver which will be more readily [. . .] on the road. the indisposition I mentioned in my letter by Bowles turned out to be...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 7 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here on the fourth day of our journey without accident. travelling early one or two mornings through fog brought on some degree of indisposition, which I felt strongly on the day & day after my arrival, but it is wearing off slowly. it has been chiefly an excessive soreness all over and a deafness & ringing in the head. I have desired mr Jefferson to procure you whatever you may call...
21From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 2 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I yesterday recieved letters from mr Eppes & Maria. she has been for a considerable time very unwell, with low but constant fevers, and the child very unwell also. mrs Eppes had gone there and staid with her till she was well enough to be removed to Eppington, where the air & the bark had already produced a favorable effect. she wishes to proceed to Monticello as soon as she is strong enough,...
22From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 18 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved, my dear daughter, your’s of the 13th . by post. I regret extremely the situation of your family, not only for my disappointment here, but for what they are to suffer. I acknolege that, knowing when I came away the measles were in the neighborhood, I saw it was but too possible your visit here would be delayed. as it is, we must agree to the fall visit, and as Maria will be at...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 3 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here on Sunday morning (May 30.) to breakfast without having experienced any accident on the road, other than being twice taken in soaking rains: but my water proof coat was a perfect protection. mr and mrs Madison arrived the day after. I find they have not yet got clear of the measles here, so that either at home or here your family will hardly escape it. it is now time for you to...
24Enclosure: Itinerary from Edgehill to Washington, 3 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
From Edgehill to Gordon’s 18. miles. A good tavern, but cold victuals on the road will be better than any thing which any of the country taverns will give you. lodge at Gordon’s go to Orange courthouse 10. miles to breakfast. a good tavern. on leaving Orange courthouse be very attentive to the roads, as they begin to be difficult to find. Adams’s mill 7. miles. here you enter the flat country...
25From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 24 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 16th. and mr Randolph’s of the 9th. both came to hand by the last post. since that too I have seen S. Carr who tells me you do not mean to include Virginia and Anne in your visit to this place. against this I must remonstrate. every principal respecting them, and every consideration interesting to yourself, mr Randolph or myself, is in favor of their coming here. if Virginia...
26From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 3 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved Anne’s letter by the last post , in which she forgot to mention the health of the family, but I presume it good. I inclose you a medal executed by an artist lately from Europe and who appears to be equal to any in the world. it is taken from Houdon’s bust, for he never saw me. it sells the more readily as the prints which have been offered the public are such miserable caracatures....
27From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 17 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
This is merely, my dear Martha, to say that all is well. it is very long since I have heard from you, my last letter from Edgehill being of the 6th. of Dec. a letter of Jan. 6. from mr Eppes at Richmond informed me that Maria was entirely reestablished in her health, & her breast quite well. the little boy too was well & healthy.—Dr. Gantt has inoculated six of his Cow pox patients with the...
28From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 27 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of Nov. 18. by mr Trist has been duly recieved. my business is become so intense that when post day comes, it is often out of my power to spare a moment. the post too, being now on the winter establishment is three days longer in carrying our letters. I am sincerely concerned at the situation of our dear little ones with the whooping cough, but much rejoiced that they have past the...
29From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 19 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I am in hopes, my dear Martha, that I shall hear by the arrival of tomorrow morning’s post, that you are all well. in the mean while the arrangement is such that my letter must go hence this evening. my last letter was from mr Eppes of Oct. 3. when all were well. I inclose a Crazy Jane for Anne, and a sweetheart for Ellen. the latter instead of the many coloured stories which she cannot yet...
30From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 16 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday mr Randolph’s letter of the 11th. and at the same time one from mr Eppes . he had just carried Maria to Eppington with the loss of a horse on the road. they are to leave Eppington tomorrow at farthest for Monticello, so that by the time you recieve this they will be with you. from what mr Randolph writes I should think you had better go over at once with your sister to...
31From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 25 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 19. came to hand yesterday. as it says nothing of your health I presume all are well. I recieved yesterday also a letter from Maria of the 18th. she was then well & preparing to go to Eppington, and in about 4. weeks expected to set out for Albemarle. mr Eppes was engaged in his harvest much obstructed by rain, & regretting he had not before deposited Maria at Monticello. I hope...
32From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 28 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday mr Randolph’s letter of the 23d. giving me the always welcome news of your health. I have not heard from Maria since I have been here. it is a terrible thing that people will not write unless they have materials to make a long letter: when three words would be so acceptable. Mrs. Madison left us two days ago, to commence housekeeping, so that Capt Lewis & myself are like...
33From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 5 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Jan. 31. is this moment put into my hands, and the departure of the post obliges an answer on the same day. I am much afflicted to learn that your health is not good, and the particular derangement of your stomach. this last is the parent of many ills, and if any degree of abstinence will relieve you from them it ought to be practised. perhaps in time it may be brought to by beginning...
34From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 16 January 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to mr Randolph on the 9th. & 10th. inst. and yesterday recieved his letter of the 10th. it gave me real joy to learn that Lilly had got a recruit of hands from mr Allen; tho’ still I would not have that prevent the taking all from the nailery who are able to cut, as I desired in mine of the 9th. as I wish Craven’s ground to be got ready for him without any delay. mr Randolph writes me...
35From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 22 April 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
It is very long since I wrote to you, because I have been uncertain whether you would not have left Eppington before the arrival of my letters there, & the rather as I found them very long getting there. mr Randolph’s letter of the 12th. informs me you had then returned to Edgehill. in a letter of Mar. 24. which is the last I have recieved from Eppington , mr Eppes informed me Maria was so...
36From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 11 February 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to mr Randolph on the 2d. inst. acknoleging the receipt of his letter of the 18th. Jan. I had one also at the same time from mr Richardson giving me the details from Monticello. the death of Jupiter obliges me to ask of mr. Randolph or yourself to give orders at the proper time in March for the bottling my cyder. I forgot to bring with me a morsel cut from one of our sheets, as a...
37From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 21 January 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote on the 13th. inst. to mr Randolph. I now inclose you a letter from your friend Mde. Salimberi. it came under cover to me. and without looking at the second cover, or suspecting it not for me, I broke the seal, a few words in the beginning shewed me it was not, & on looking at the back I found it was addressed to you.—M. Bureau-Pusy, the companion of la Fayette, with his family & Mde....
38From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 5 February 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to mr Randolph on the 30th. of Jan. having just then recieved his of the 19th. it was not till yesterday that I learned from the Post office that our post now departs on Wednesday morning from this place. my letters hitherto have been written for Thursday morning, so that you will have recieved them a week later. tell mr Randolph that the day on which I wrote to him, but after I had...
39From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 23 January 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
The object of this letter, my very dear Martha, is merely to inform you I am well, and to convey to you the expressions of my love. it will not be new to tell you that your letters do not come as often as I could wish. I have not heard from Albemarle or Chesterfield since I left home, now 5. weeks. this deprives me of the gleams of pleasure wanting to relieve the dreariness of this scene,...
40From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 27 December 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I reached Fredericksburg the day after I left you, and this place on Christmas-day, having (thanks to my pelisse) felt no more sensation of cold on the road than if I had been in a warm bed. nevertheless I got a small cold which brought on an inflammation in the eyes, head ach &c so that I kept within doors yesterday & only took my seat in Senate to-day. I have as yet had little opportunity of...
41From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 15 August 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Ellen appeared to be feverish the evening you went away: but visiting her a little before I went to bed, I found her quite clear of fever, & was convinced the quickness of pulse which had alarmed me had proceeded from her having been in uncommon spirits and been constantly running about the house through the day & especially in the afternoon. since that she has had no symptom of fever, and is...
42From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 31 May 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter by the last post was to mr Randolph, dated May 24. yours of the 12th. inst. did not get to hand till the 29th. so it must have laid by a post somewhere. the receipt of it, by kindling up all my recollections increases my impatience to leave this place & every thing which can be disgusting, for Monticello and my dear family, comprising every thing which is pleasurable to me in this...
43From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 17 May 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Having nothing of business to write on to mr Randolph this week I with pleasure take up my pen to express all my love to you, and my wishes once more to find myself in the only scene where, for me, the sweeter affections of life have any exercise. but when I shall be with you seems still uncertain. we have been so long looking forward from 3. weeks to 3. weeks, & always with disappointment,...
44From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 5 April 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Randolph’s letter of Mar. 26. informs me you are all well at Belmont. my last news from Eppington was of Mar. 20. when all were well there. I have myself had remarkeably good health through the winter, since the cold which I took on my way here. the advance of the season makes me long to get home. the first shad we had here was Mar. 16. and Mar. 28. was the first day we could observe a...
45From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 8 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I ought oftener, my dear Martha, to recieve your letters, for the very great pleasure they give me, & especially when they express your affections for me. for though I cannot doubt them, yet they are among those truths which tho’ not doubted we love to hear repeated. here too they serve like gleams of light, to chear a dreary scene, where envy, hatred, malice, revenge, & all the worst passions...
46From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 27 December 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I am at length got well of a terrible cold, which I think must have proceeded from the intense cold of the day I left Belmont. It became very bad by the time I got to Baltimore, and has been worse here. However it is now entirely passed off. We are here lounging our time away, doing nothing, and having nothing to do. It gives me great regret to be passing my time so uselessly when it could...
47From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 8 June 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of May 20 came to hand the 1st. inst. I imagine you recieved mine of May 18. about six days after the date of yours. It was written the first post-day after my arrival here. The commission you inclosed for Maria is executed, and the things are in the care of Mr. Boyce of Richmond, who is returning from hence with some goods of his own, and will deliver them to Mr. Johnston.—I recieve...
48From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 18 May 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here in good health on the 7th. day after my departure from home, without any intervening accident and am as well as when I left home. I recieved here the inclosed letter from Mr. Pintard our Consul at Madeira who sais it was given him by one of your old convent acquaintances settled there. I suppose the letter will inform you of more particulars. We yesterday recieved the...
49From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 9 April 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yours my dear Martha, of Mar. 31. four days ago. The inoculation at Richmond having stopped that post I send this by the way of Fredsbg. I entirely approve of your resolution to have the children inoculated. I had before been so much convinced of the expediency of the measure that I had taken it for granted before your letter informed me of it. I am called to Philadelphia to a...
50From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 27 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to Mr. Randolph two or three days ago, but I imagine he will recieve the letter at Richmond on his way up: for we expect he will of course come up this week. He has a more dangerous competitor in Billy Wood than had arisen before. But I hear little about it. I arrived in good health at home this day sennight. The mountain had then been in bloom ten days. I find that the natural...