Thomas Jefferson Papers

John Minor to Thomas Jefferson, 17 May 1809

From John Minor

Fredericksburg May 17th 1809

Dear Sir

You being the only surviving Trustee, or one of the only two surviving Trustees of Bernard Moore; the Title of the purchaser of certain Lands in the County of Caroline, cannot be perfected without your signature; it is therefore that I now trouble you with a request to Execute the Deed which accompanies this Letter; my friend Mr Peter Carr will take charge of it & have it proven and certified in Albemarle Court in order to a regular Recordation in Caroline

Will you permit me my dear Sir to tender you my grateful thankes for the able and faithful manner in which you have administered the Government of Our common Country during the last Eight Years: May you long live in Health to enjoy that Peace which is the result of your own measures and prudence; is the prayer of your Affectionate Servt

John Minor

RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as received 7 July 1809 and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Edmund Pendleton to TJ, 15 May 1809. Other enclosure not found.

John Minor (1761–1816), a native of Caroline County, served in the Revolutionary War, studied law with George Wythe, and became a prominent attorney, residing at an estate called Hazel Hill in Fredericksburg. An occasional correspondent with TJ on legal and personal matters, Minor declined a federal appointment from him in 1803. He served as a general in the Virginia militia during the War of 1812 (Norfleet, Saint-Mémin description begins Fillmore Norfleet, Saint-Mémin in Virginia: Portraits and Biographies, 1942 description ends , 191–2; Minor to TJ, 15 July 1803 [DLC]; Richmond Enquirer, 12 June 1816).

Index Entries

  • Carr, Peter (TJ’s nephew); and B. Moore estate search
  • Minor, John (1761–1816); and B. Moore’s estate search
  • Minor, John (1761–1816); identified search
  • Minor, John (1761–1816); letters from search
  • Moore, Bernard (d. ca.1775) search