Virginia J. Randolph Trist to Cornelia J. Randolph, 30 June–1 July 1826
I have delayed writing to you ...
Thomas Jefferson Randolph to Jane H. Nicholas Randolph, [2 July 1826]
After passing a very good night; this morning my dear grandfather began to give unequivocal indication of approaching dissolution. he sank rapidly for some time and is has since remaining remained stationary bearly sensible, occasionally, we look from hour to hour to a close to the scene.My...
Alexander Garrett to Evelina Bolling Garrett, 4 July 1826
Mr Jefferson is no more, he breathed his last 10 minutes before 1 Oclock today allmost without a struggle. no one here but Col. Carr & myself, both of us ignorant of shrouding, neither never having done it, ourselves or seen it done, we have done the best we could, and I hope all is right....
Nicholas P. Trist to Joseph Coolidge, 4 July 1826
I’ve missed the last mail or two, from a desire to communicate something definitive, which some little fluctuations that have occurred rendered impossible. There is no longer any doubt. Unless one chance to a hundred thousand, or a Million, may be ground for doubt. He has been dying since...
Henry H. Worthington to Reuben B. Hicks, 5 July 1826
Your favour of the 31st of May last should have been acknowledged before this but for the presure of my studies. I have had more to do here of late than during any other part of the session. Most of the proffessors intending to go to the springs this summer & wishing to make up the time...
Joseph Coolidge to Nicholas P. Trist, 5 July 1826
I have this moment recd...
Thomas Jefferson Randolph to Jane H. Nicholas Randolph, [4 July 1826] (first letter)
My poor grandfather holds a protracted & I fear a painfull struggle. there has been no change I think since sunset and yet every appearance of momentary dissolution. he has passed a restless, struggling night, with a mixture of consciousness & delirium. His pulse sunk. his extremities ...
Thomas Jefferson Randolph to Jane H. Nicholas Randolph, [4 July 1826] (second letter)
My dear grandfather, still breathes but the indications are still slowly increasing. he may survive some hours yet or not one. Mother is more calm and resigned than I had hoped, and she has had such gradual & painful preparation, that I do not think it will be much worse with her. I had much...
William Matthews to John H. Cocke, 10 July 1826
I addressed Mr Jefferson a short time previous to his death to know what arrangements had been made with respect to substitutes for arms for the students at the University—he stated in his letter to me that no definitive order had as yet been given, because of the doutfullness of the funds,...
Thomas Jefferson Randolph to Dabney S. Carr, 11 July 1826
Will you desire Lewis to send me a coat, thin black waistcoat (I have a thick one) a pair of thin and another thick pantaloons, all black. likewise a suit of mourning for Trist by measure enclosed. The most awkward part of the commission to yourself will be standing security untill pay day. tell...
Resolutions of the Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences on the Death of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, 15 July 1826, enclosed in Asbury Dickins to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 27
“In testimony of the profound respect entertained by the Institute for the illustrious memory of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, two of the founders of the Republic, who descended to the tomb on the fiftieth anniversary of its independence; who, during a long life successfully devoted to their...
William Matthews to John H. Cocke, 15 July 1826
I addressed a letter to you on 10th inst which I expect you did not receive I therefore take the liberty of doing it again. A short time previous to Mr Jeffersons death I addressed him enquiring what arrangements had been made with respect to substitutes for arms for the students at the...
Edward Everett for the American Academy of Arts and Sciences to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 25 July 1826
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences have directed me, on their behalf, to ask permission to express the deep and respectful sympathy, which they feel in the sorrows of yourself and family, at that afflicting event, which has removed its venerated Head, for a long course of years a most...
Dabney S. Carr to Jane H. Nicholas Randolph, 26 July 1826
I have been wanting to write to you for the last week, but have really been so much engaged that I had no time to do it. You must not despond too much about the situation in which Mr Jefferson’s death has left his family, and indeed your own. I yet hope myself that they will be relieved. The idea...
Asbury Dickins to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 27 July 1826
To you, Madam, on behalf of the family of your late illustrious and venerable father, Thomas Jefferson, I have the honour, in the name of the Institute, to transmit a copy of Resolutions lately passed by that Body in respect for his memory. By the death of the “Sage of Monticello”, the Institute...
Thomas Jefferson Randolph to the University of Virginia Board of Visitors, [before 7 Oct. 1826]
My Grandfather, the late Thomas Jefferson devised, by his will, his library to the University of Virginia He like wise suggested a wish that his bust, executed by Ciracci, with the pedestal and truncated column on which it stands, should be presented by his executor to that institution.It has...
Extract from William Short to John H. Cocke, 12 Aug. 1826 [Quote]
... that death which leaves a deep impression, is my venerable friend’s of Monticello – Although prepared for it from his age & infirmities, yet I was most sensible to the shock when it did arrive – This indeed I now consider as one of those struggles of nature against...
William Goodacre to Wirt Robinson, 13 Aug. 1826
I arrived here on Friday at 7 A.M. and am ready to proceed to the Natural Bridge tomorrow. We were last night awoke by a party of students with music who entered the house and called for drink it might have been 3 o’clock this morning (to wake a bull). They leisurely sat doubt down with their...
John H. Cocke to Ralph Randolph Gurley, 18 Aug. 1826
Some years ago Mr Jefferson mentioned to me, that the late Gallant & Philanthropic General Kosciuszko, had left a considerable sum of money in his hands, to be employed in purchasing Slaves, to be emancipated & educated in Virginia And expressed to me his desire, that I would undertake...
Arthur S. Brockenbrough to John H. Cocke, 20 Aug. 1826
I informed you some little time ago that my health required some relaxation from business and that for the improvement of it I wished to take a trip for a few days to Striblings Springs in augusta—I find at time this time I can go with greater convenience to the business of the institution than...
Mary Randolph to Thomas Jefferson Randolph, 24 Aug. 1826
The anxiety I feel on account of my beloved Sister, and my intire ignorance of every thing relating to the family except what I have seen in the news papers, induces me to ask the favor of you to give me a full and circumstantial detail of their situation. You know I feel a deep interest in every...
Ralph Randolph Gurley to John H. Cocke, 2 Sept. 1826
Your letter of the 18th ult, was received during my absence; but I believe has received a partial answer, from the acting president of our Board. Indeed, I am unable, myself, to make satisfactory reply to all your enquiries. The Kusciusko fund, is in the hands of Benjamin Lear esqr of this City ...
Ellen W. Randolph Coolidge to Thomas Jefferson Randolph, 7 Sept. 1826
Joseph intended to have written to you himself, my dear brother, but as he is too unwell he commissions me to do it in his place, and to give you both our thanks for the use of your carriage and the comfort it procured us. Titus drove, as he always does, admirably, & the horses performed the...
Cornelia J. Randolph to Ellen W. Randolph Coolidge, 11 Sep. 1826
Virginia has yielded what I considered the privilege of my elderhood, my dear sister, that of writing the first letter to you, but after all I have nothing to tell you that you knew not before; that...
Ellen W. Randolph Coolidge to Virginia J. Randolph Trist, 14 Sept. 1826
I intended dear Virginia to write to you from Richmond, but had not one moment to do it in. I committed your gingham &c to Martha W. praying her to send them immediately. the packet contained besides the gingham (which you will be surprised to hear was the best I could get,) some cambric &...