1[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.]
2[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.]
3[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.]
4To 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...
5To 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...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson, 9 April 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very glad that the beginning of your voyage has been so pleasing, and I hope that the rest will not be less so, as it is a great consolation for me, being deprived of the pleasure of seeing you, to know at least that you are happy. I hope your resolution of returning in the end of April is always the same. I do not doubt but what Mr. Short has written you word that my sister sets off with...
7To 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...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson, 27 May 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I was very glad to see by your letter that you were on your return, and I hope that I shall very soon have the pleasure of seeing you. My sister’s letter gave me a great deal of happiness. I wish she would write to me; but as I shall enjoy her presence very soon, it will make up for a neglect that I own gives me the greatest pain. I still remember enough of geography to know where the places...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 25 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yours My Dearest Father with more pleasure than is possible for me to express and am happy to hear that you are at last settled at New Yorck as I am in hopes we shall now hear from you often. We are just returned from a visit up the country to aunt Carr and Mrs. Flemming’s. It has not been possible as yet to carry dear Pol[ly] to Eppington for want of horses as Mr. Randolph was...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 16 January 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I very much regret not having answer’d yours My Dearest Papa sooner, but being misinformed with regard to the Charlottesville post which we heard was discontinued has till now prevented my writing and not as you supposed having nothing to say. It is unlucky that the matrasses can not be sent now as we shall soon be in great distress. Aunt Fleming and probably one of her sons being expected...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 22 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
You gave us reason to hope in your last to Mr. Randolph that there was a probability of our seeing you this summer. Your little grand daughter thinks herself entitled to a visit. I hope you will not disapoint us. My house keeping and Polly’s spanish have equally suffered from my confinement. She is beginning again to go on tolerably for so great a habit of idleness had she contracted in one...
12To 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...
13To 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...
14To 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...
15To 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...
16To 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...
17To 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...
18To 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...
19To 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...
20To 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...
21To 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...
22To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 15 January 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
We intended writing to my Dearest Father from Richmond but that care devolving upon me on account of Mr. Randolph’s business it was as is often the case with me put off till the hurry of packing obliged me to neglect it entirely. Col. Blackden and W. C. Nicholas had both left Richmond before we arrived there the letter for the former was put in the post office imediately that to Mr. Nicholas...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 1 January 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Randolph having determined to spend some months at Varina I am under the necessity of troubling you my dearest Father with a memorandum of the articles we shall want from Monticello. We have spent the hollidays and indeed every day in such a perpetual round of visiting and recieving visits that I have not had a moment to my self since I came down and we shall leave this on our way to...
24To 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...
25To 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...
26To 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...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 12 May 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Nothing makes me feel your absence so sensibly as the beauty of the season; when every object in nature invites one into the fields, the close monotonous streets of a city which offers no charms of society with in doors to compensate for the dreariness of the scene with out, must be absolutely intolerable: particularly to you who have such interesting employment at home. Monticello shines with...
28To 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...
29To 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...
30To 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...
31To 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...
32To 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...
33To 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...
34To 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...
35To 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...
36To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, [before 10 November 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
I am doomed to write you, in a hurry allways My Dearest Father. Abraham who will be the bearer of this has arrived […] I began my letter, and it will not be proper to make him wait [longer] than I can possibly help it. my children are doing generally well except Ellen and Cornelia the latter has had fevers for three days & with triffling intermissions morning and evening tho very short. we...
37To 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...
38To 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...
39To 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...
40To 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,...
41To 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...
42To 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...
43To 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...
44To 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...
45To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 28 February 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been again greatly indisposed My Dearest Father but am now so much better that I should have left My room to day if the weather had been good. I was for one night and a part of the next very ill, and having what I never in my life had before (an hysteric fit) thought my self dying whilst in it. Doctor Everett says it is not uncommon in the complaint I had, which was brought on by cold...
46To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 19 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Randolph’s election is almost certain the polls stand, Alb. TM.R 503 W.L. 140. Amh. TM:R. 390 WL. 474. which leaves Mr Randolph a majority of 279, so that independant of his influence in Fluvanna which is great, he is safe. we are all well, but I am moored here till thursday as he stopped a day with us on his way to Fluvanna where he now is, of course I am obliged to stay till his return....
47To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 11 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The trunk you were so good as to forward from Washington, arrived safe by the same post which brought your letter. it contained the wedding cloaths, which rendered it of so much importance to some of the family that I shall make no apology for the trouble it put you to. the marriage will take place at Monticello early in August entirely private except the old Gentleman and Lady & Aunt Carr....
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, 23 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The hurry of preparation my Dearest Father must apologise for this note. we shall be at Centreville the last day of the month where Mr Randolph thinks the horse he can procure will easily take us, and sunday evening or monday morning we shall be with you we are all in health & spirits preparing to join you as soon as possible adieu, believe me with inexpressible tenderness yours MHi : Coolidge...
50To 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...