Jefferson’s wife died before his elevation to office—No formal
receptions during his administration—Married to Mrs. Martha
Shelton, of Charles City county—Marriage bond drawn in his own
handwriting found—His bride a beautiful and clever
woman—Exquisite form and fine complexion—A fine conversationalist
and musician—How Jefferson defeated his rival suitors—They listen
outside while the two sing—Marriage at “The Forest”—Trip to
Monticello—Travel in a snow-storm—Arrived late at night—A bottle
of wine serves for fire and supper—Happy married life—Mother of
five children—Governor Jefferson declines a mission to Europe—Her
health failing—Flies from her home with her babe in her
arms—Arnold’s march to Richmond—Efforts to capture Jefferson—Wife
and children sent into the interior—Monticello captured—Many
negro slaves taken away—Cæsar secretes the plate—Is fastened
under ground eighteen hours—Family return home—Mrs. Jefferson
very ill—Clings to life—Intense affection for husband and
children—Jefferson by her side until she dies—Beautiful and
strong character—The eldest daughter sent to school—Her youngest
sister dies—Jefferson sends for Martha and Marie—Placed at a
French convent—Mrs. Adams’ description of Marie—A girl of
superior beauty—Martha asks permission to remain in a
convent—Taken from school—Jefferson returns to America with his
daughters—Marriage of Martha to Thomas Macon Randolph, Jr., her
father’s ward and her cousin—Marie is married to Mr. Eppes, of
Eppington—Jefferson a member of Washington’s cabinet—Afterward
Vice-President—Inaugurated President in 1801—Letter of Sir
Augustus Foster—Martha the mother of several children—Her home
near Monticello—Washington City society—Some novel
aspects—Incidents of a call—Letter from father to daughter—Death
of Mrs. Eppes—Personalities concerning her—Letter from Mrs.
Adams—Her attachment to Marie Jefferson—Jefferson’s second
inauguration—Martha Randolph and her children at the White
House—Washington unhealthy in summer—Mrs. Randolph a busy
Virginia matron—“The sweetest woman in Virginia”—Jefferson’s
retirement to Monticello—His daughter his housekeeper—Hundreds of
guests—People watch for a sight of the ex-President—A window-pane
broken by a curious woman—Men and women gaze at him as he passes
through his hall—No privacy in his home—Jefferson’s letter
concerning his daughter—The education of girls—“The apple of his
eye”—Were life to end—Loss of property—Martha the companion and
nurse of her father—Her children his idols—Mr. Randolph’s
ill-health and failure—Death of Jefferson—Mrs. Randolph at his
bedside—A little casket—His last pang of life is parting from
her—A touching tribute to his daughter—Jefferson’s estate
insolvent—Monticello sold—Exhibition of public feeling—Death of
Mr. Randolph—The family separated—Letter from her
daughter—Interesting facts of her family—Death of Martha
Jefferson Randolph in 1836—Buried beside her father at Monticello 126