To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 28 October 1776
From George Wythe
Philadelphia 28 Oct 1776
GW to T.J.
Your letter of the 18th instant, by some accident or other, did not come to hand before it was too late to answer it by this days post. Make use of the house and furniture. I shall be happy if any thing of mine can contribute to make your and Mrs. Jefferson’s residence in Williamsburg comfortable. Adieu.
RC (DLC).
TJ’s letter of the 18th instant is missing. It must have contained a request for the use of Wythe’s house, a handsome residence still standing on the west side of Palace Street adjacent to Bruton Church in Williamsburg; see The George Wythe House, a pamphlet published by Colonial Williamsburg, 1942. Having obtained the permission granted in the present letter, the Jeffersons occupied the Wythe house during November, moving out on 4 Dec. 1776, under which date TJ’s Account Book has these entries:
“Pd. for carting furniture to Pinkney’s 4/.
“Took two rooms of Pinckney. No rent agreed on. He pays £25. for whole tenement. If I give him half of this it will be a plenty.”
Three days later the following entries appear in the Account Book:
“Gave servts. at Mr. Wythe’s 14/.
“Left with Mrs. Drummond for Mr. Wythe 30/.”