Thomas Jefferson Papers

Frank Carr to Thomas Jefferson, 26 September 1823

From Frank Carr

Red Hills Sepr 26th 1823.

Dear Sir,

Instead of the seed, I send you three potatoe pumpkins—The two smallest, I should think from their form, are the most genuine. The fourth is a Cushaw, (my ear directs the Orthography as I have only heard the name,) not inferior, when thoroughly ripe, in their edible qualities to the potatoe pumpkin. Both delight in a light, moist soil—fresh land is very propitious to their growth—You would seldom fail, I think to grow them successfully in a situation selected with reference to the above description.

With sentiments of sincere respect

I am yr ob. set

Frank Carr

RC (ViU: TJP-CC); addressed: “Mr Jefferson Monticello By Wilson”; endorsed by TJ as received the day it was written and so recorded in SJL.

potatoe pumpkins are a variety of winter squash (Cucurbita moschata) first grown at Monticello around 1790 (PTJ, 18:98; Betts, Garden Book, 208, 213).

Index Entries

  • Carr, Frank; letters from search
  • Carr, Frank; sends squash to TJ search
  • food; squash search
  • Monticello (TJ’s Albemarle Co. estate); squash grown at search
  • seeds; squash search
  • slaves; errands by search
  • squash (vegetable) search
  • Wilson (F. Carr’s slave) search