Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Eppes, [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 Randolph, Domestic Life description begins Sarah N. Randolph, The Domestic Life of Thomas Jefferson description ends , 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.

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