To Thomas Jefferson from Elizabeth C. Leiper, 29 October 1804
From Elizabeth C. Leiper
Philada. October 29th. 1804
Sir
Will it be doom’d too presumtous, my addressing a few lines to you—not in expectation of receiving an answer to the present—but from a deep sense of gratitude for the favor already confer’d—I return you thanks then in the name of a large Family and Freinds united—lately I saw the scene of woe—the Head as it were seperated—and every bond of mutual affection—and reliance broken up and torn a sunder—but under the divine controul—your goodness has caus’d a releif—the Flock is again gather’d under a sheepfold—they feel reviv’d—a Pasture is open’d to there veiw—and hope brightens there prospects—that after so severe a Storm—they are to find a Shelter—and in what does a good man resemble his Maker—but in those Acts of benificence and Mercy—he who delighteth in doing good—and whose tender mercies—are over all his works—you will please pardon the liberty I have taken with you—and make allowance for the interest I have felt in my freinds concerns—when I tell you I am the Mother of nine Children—and although it has pleas’d a kind providence to place in such a situation—That we are independent—yet suffering Merit shall ever find in our bosoms the freindly consolations—and aid we may have it in our power to share—
Hoping that the choice of Calender Irvine—will insure to the United States—an excellent Officer—and to your feelings—that pleasure of releiving a worthy Family—may the Star shine brighter round your head—and the day Star arise in your heart—filling you with every divine grace—and consolation—and when your days here are ended—may crowns of immortal glory await you for ever more—
with the Highest considerations of respect. yours—
Elizabeth C: Leiper
RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); addressed: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 2 Nov. and “Irvine Callender” and so recorded in SJL.
Elizabeth C. Leiper (1762-1829), the daughter of Philadelphia revolutionary George Gray, married Thomas Leiper in 1778, and over the course of her life bore 15 children. The year before her death, Elizabeth Leiper witnessed the construction of the Leiper Canal, a waterway connecting the family’s quarry to the Delaware River. She had previously written to TJ on 31 July, in a letter not found, on the subject of William Irvine’s successor as the superintendent of military stores (biographical information in Thomas Leiper and family business records, PPL; Genealogies of Pennsylvania Families: From the Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine, 3 vols. [Baltimore, 1982], 3:831; Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser, 21 Aug. 1828; Philadelphia Inquirer, 14 Aug. 1829; Samuel Hazard, ed., The Register of Pennsylvania. Devoted to the Preservation of Facts and Documents, and Every Other Kind of Useful Information Respecting the State of Pennsylvania, 16 vols. [Philadelphia, 1828-1836], 4:254; TJ to Dearborn, 8 Aug.; Appendix IV).