Francis Eppes to Thomas Jefferson, [14 October 1784]
From Francis Eppes
[14 October 1784]
I am sorry to inform you that my fears about the welfare of our children, which I mentioned in my last, were too well founded. Yours, as well as our dear little Lucy, have fallen sacrifices to the most horrible of all disorders, the whooping-cough. They both suffered as much pain, indeed more than ever I saw two of their ages experience. We were happy in having had every experience this country afforded; however, they were beyond the reach of medecine.
MS not found. Text printed from , p. 101–2, where the above extract is printed without indication of date. Date has been supplied from entry in SJL for a letter from Francis Eppes, of this date, received 6 May 1785, the same date that TJ received the letter from Elizabeth Wayles Eppes of 13 Oct. 1784.
Mentioned in my last: That is, Eppes’ letter of 16 Sep. 1784, which was carried to France by Lafayette and received by TJ on 26 Jan. 1785.