To Thomas Jefferson from James Powell, 7 February 1804
From James Powell
New York Febury 7 = 1804
Sir
I Canot suffer my self to entertain a doubt but that you wil be pleased to excuse this adress, with the same chearefulness you would acknowlidge a like obligation, Information assures me, Sir—That you are an ageid resident of Virgenia, and doubtless of extensive information—I shal ever be readey to acknowlidge it as a singular favour dun me—if it is in your power to afford me aney information of my Hor. Fathers family. My father Joseph Powell (at the time he left Maryland his parential abode about 1754) was the onely son of Thomas and Peggy Powell, sum of the erely setlers on the Potomake River (Tho originally from Whales England) my father lernt the Carpenters trade of one Isack Oakson at Anapolis—he had one sister whose name was Martha. Aney information You may have to afford me on this or aney other ocation shal be gratefully Acknowlidged as a want of candure, or Initention from severil like aplications I hope wil farther pleade as an apoligie for this intrudeing on your more immediate and Important Concernes
Sir, With sentiments of esteeme I remain Yours to Serve
James Powell
RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr Thomas Jefferson Esqr, President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 9 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.
James Powell, a son of Emma and Joseph Powell, acted on behalf of his mother and brothers Thomas and Joseph to lay claim to the original Maryland property entailed by their grandfather Thomas Powell, which had fallen under the jurisdiction of the federal district. TJ’s response to James Powell of 10 Feb. was recorded in SJL but has not been found. Powell wrote about his situation to the newly inaugurated President Madison in 1809 and noted that he had “adrest To Mr. Thomas Jefferson Late President of the U.S., who politely Refered me To Bishop Madison President of William and Marys Colidge whose answour Nither I nor my Elder Brother Mr. Thomas Powell have not been so fortunate as To Receive” (, Pres. Ser., 1:60-2).