Jefferson Quotes & Family Letters

I have only time to write you a line dear Ellen, to tell you the news. Jefferson has a son at last, born on the mor at two oclock in the morning of the 29. Jane suffered less than common at the time but complained more of weakness, afterwards. to day the third day, she has a good deal of fever. but it is perhaps only the flow of the milk and also the circumstance of her brother Col Robert¹ leaving² her. she was very much affected at parting with him, and has complained of head a good deal since. this event enables us to fix the time of our departure which will be I think about the middle of October. N. says the 7th its is possible a part of the family may go on then and the rest follow a week or ten days later. I sent by Mde Leschot to N. York for carpets for the two publick rooms, kidderminster or any good, english carpetting not exceeding 9 shillings a yard. I sent also for knives, & N. directed her to get 2 plain astral lamps. he has ordered chairs after a very handsome antique pattern model very easy also, cane bottoms painted in imitation of rose wood with out gilding at 30 $ a dozen, for which and some other articles that he would probably get at Ribello’s sale I sent him $ 150 and also for as much wood now selling at $ 3,25. a cord as the money would get leaving My self about 300 for the expenses of the removal and the beginning of house keeping—we shall carry all our bedding some dining tables, your press & Virginia’s tall chest of drawers, and some other articles, including stained bed steads made by John Hemmings neater than you would suppose, low posts with head & foot boards, and a great many little odds & ends that may be packed in between the legs of the tables and that will save buying—Dr William Bankhead is going to be married and has begged to take Dear little Willie altogether. he says he will educate him at his own expense if his father will give him up; and the young lady Miss Minor to whom [he] is³ going to be married; is said to be a very fine woman; having taught her own little brothers and sisters she will be better qualified to give him the first rudiments. the situation appears so eligible a one, that although it greives me to part with the child, yet I have no right to object—he is a beautiful boy, and a very interesting child. manly, active, and very affectionate where he attaches himself—he inherited inherits his mother’s sweet voice, hair, & eyes and a playfulness of temper that makes him a general favorite—

Jefferson promised to send the volumes that have come out to Joseph immediately. I think he has sent them by Col. Nicholas as far as Baltimore from whence there will be no difficulty in forwarding [. . .] them. also I think a copy for the Mr Sparks, or rather for Joseph to send him. you were asking what little present would please Lucy & your Aunt Jane, there are so many pretty trifles that would please a girl of Lucy’s age in the stores, that you would find no dificulty. our memento’s were of that discription—pocket books, pencil cases, smelling bottles & & and the same to Jane who is as fond of pretty [. . .] trifles as any of us. any thing that you would send had better be directed to the care of your Aunt Hackley as probably by the first of October she will have set off on her way to Norfolk. they have got rid of their house and are gone to board in New London adieu dear Ellen, I write in such haste that you will scarcely be able to read my letter. God bless you love to Joseph and a thousand kisses to my babies including the boy. and always to your Mother, Aunt, and Mrs S. never forgetting dear kind Grandmama and the gentlemen of the family, particularly your father & Uncle Storer adieu