To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Jefferson Randolph, 30 October 1803
From Thomas Jefferson Randolph
Edghill Oct. 30 1803
Dear Grand Papa
I was at Monticello yesterday and Mr. Dinsmore had almost finished the cornice in the hall and was to set off1 for Philadelphia to day. they have almost done the canal and the mill house also.
I have read Goldsmith’s grecian history Thucidides & I am now reading Goldsmith’s Roman hitory. give my love to Papa and uncle Eppes. adieu Grand Papa your most afectionate Grand son
Thomas Jefferson Randolph
RC (Mrs. Edwin Page Kirk, Charlottesville, Virginia, 1956, on deposit at ViU); dateline probably in Martha Jefferson Randolph’s hand; endorsed by TJ as received 7 Nov. and so recorded in SJL.
TJ had been employing a gang of enslaved workers to dig a canal for his long-planned millworks at the Shadwell estate. The smaller toll mill, which was used mostly for grinding grain for his own household, began operation in December, although the canal required several adjustments (, 2:1099n; Thomas Mann Randolph to TJ, 24 Dec.; TJ to James Walker, 28 Jan. 1804).
1. MS: “of.”