Joseph Graham to Thomas Jefferson, 1 November 1813
From Joseph Graham
Port Republic Rockingham va Nov. 1–1813
Sir,
Believing that a Reading of the inclosed Pamplett will not be disagreeable to you I have inclosed it to you; if it shall meet my expectation I am gratified if not; I think you will readily not take it in bad part from your sincere & obt hbl St
Joseph Graham
RC (DLC); dateline beneath signature; at head of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as received 13 Dec. 1813 and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found.
Joseph Graham (1768–1826) kept a public house in Port Republic and served from 1811 until his death as its postmaster. He owned six slaves in 1810 and four a decade later, with his other holdings including nearby Weyer’s Cave. According to one 1815 visitor, Graham kept “a lock upon the door of the cave and charges 50 cents to each visitor, which produces him a considerable revenue” (DNA: RG 29, CS, Port Republic, 1810, 1820; , 169; A Description of Wier’s Cave, in Augusta County, Virginia [Albany, 1815], 8 [with Graham’s name corrupted to “Bingham”]; Charleston, S.C., City Gazette and Commercial Daily Advertiser, 29 July 1820; Rockingham Co. Minute Book, esp. 6:61, 12:136–7; Rockingham Co. Administrators’ Bonds, 1 Jan. 1827; Graham family Bible records [photocopy of typescript in TJ Editorial Files]; gravestone inscription at Port Republic Cemetery).