Thomas Jefferson Papers

Thomas Jefferson to John L. Thomas, 23 February 1813

To John L. Thomas

Monticello Feb. 23. 13.

Sir

Having lost the benefit of your obliging attendance at our court to prove the inclosed deed of Charles Henderson to Craven Peyton by the Clerk’s not taking time to produce it, I have obtained the original deed from him, with your signature as a witness, which I now inclose by mr Randolph who is going to Richmond. I have to ask the favor of you to prove the same at Henrico court on Monday next, and have it duly certified by the clerk, and return it to me either by mr Randolph or by mail. should any accident prevent your rendering me this service in Henrico court on Monday next, I will pray you to do it in the court of the city of Richmond which will be on Monday sennight, so that I may return it to the clerk of this county to be recorded. your attention to this request will oblige Sir

Your humble servt

Th: Jefferson

PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr John L. Thomas”; endorsed by TJ.

Thomas had witnessed the inclosed deed of 31 Jan. 1804, in which Charles Henderson stated that he was now “of Lawfull age” and confirmed the transfer to Craven Peyton of “all my right title & interest to the within mentioned Land and their appurtenances.” In the earlier conveyance of 18 Mar. 1801, Charles Henderson agreed that in exchange for one thousand pounds, when he reached lawful age he would deed to James L. Henderson or his assignees his “right title and interest in an undivided parcel of land and its appurtenances thereto, including my part of the widows dower in said land … which accrued to me as one of the heirs and representatives of Bennett Henderson decd except a Mill & Seat below said Mill Warehouse & Lott & Store house and Lott & undivided lotts in Milton” (Trs in Albemarle Co. Deed Book, 18:403–4; with subjoined statement that the indenture was proved by the oaths of witnesses Marbell Camden and David Anderson at Albemarle County Court on 2 July 1804 and further proved at the same court by Thomas’s oath on 2 Aug. 1813).

Index Entries

  • Anderson, David search
  • Camden, Marbell search
  • Henderson, Charles; and Henderson estate search
  • Henderson, James L.; and Henderson estate search
  • Henderson case; deeds related to search
  • Nicholas, John; as Albemarle Co. clerk search
  • Peyton, Craven; and Henderson case search
  • Randolph, Thomas Mann (1768–1828) (TJ’s son-in-law; Martha Jefferson Randolph’s husband); mentioned search
  • Thomas, John L.; and Henderson case search
  • Thomas, John L.; letters to search