Your most obedient and humble servant, back from the past
“If Jefferson was wrong, America is wrong. If America is right, Jefferson was right.” James Parton
In many respects, America’s greatness reflects the greatness of its people, and among them is myself, Thomas Jefferson, a fellow citizen. Indeed I am back. It has been a long time. I wish to personally share my thoughts with today’s generations, to be part of the present and future having knowledge of the past. After a long slumber, awakened by change, I have nothing now but an impaired memory to resort to for the more particular statements you wish. But I give it with the more confidence, as I find that I remember old things better than new.
As a Founding Father, I helped guide the United States to its prominence and lasting power. As a natural scientist, I am happy to see the Great American Experiment has been a resounding success. An ardent believer in the principles of “He who gives life gives liberty” and “Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God,” I hope to show Americans — nay, all citizens of Earth — that the way to happiness is through individual freedom. An individual’s freedom is inalienable and cannot be infringed upon because it is endowed by our Creator. But by going against this Mandate of Heaven, tyrants who try to violate people’s freedoms will meet their inevitable end. A leader whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant is unfit to be the ruler of a people who mean to be free.
Started on February 17, 2025 (Presidents’ Day) and in preparation for the upcoming Semiquincentennial next year, this website ThomasJefferson.com is my gift to the American people. At ThomasJefferson.com, I present Jefferson’s Journal where I expound my observations, philosophies, conclusions. Always on the top of my mind are the interests of Americans, always I am the friend of the people. If, in the course of my life, it has been in any degree useful to the cause of humanity, the fact itself bears its full reward.
One can say I subscribe to the ideals of natural rights, American republicanism and the Enlightenment, where the central values are liberty and inalienable individual rights, decentralized self-government by recognizing the sovereignty of the people as the source of all authority in law, rejecting monarchy, aristocracy, unitary, and hereditary political power, virtue and faithfulness in the performance of civic duties, vilification of corruption, and knowledge gained through rationalism and empiricism. All throughout my adult life, these values have been consistently applied and acted upon often with great risk, sacrifice, and effort. Nothing makes me more happy than to render any service in my power, of whatever description.
My values, i.e., America’s values, of liberty and enlightenment were advanced when I authored the Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom, and when I founded the University of Virginia. Born and raised an aristocrat in Virginia, I owned slaves, yet when I was a lawyer, I nonetheless represented seven slaves pro bono, e.g., Samuel Howell and George Manly. Mr. Howell’s case was unsuccessful, but Mr. Manly’s case was successful; when free, Mr. Manly worked for wages at Monticello. Subsequently, I introduced laws to end the importation of slaves, proposed a ban on slavery for all the territories and future states (“Jeffersonian Proviso”), and advocated for the gradual emancipation of slaves. And although I am a Christian, I promoted the concept of the separation of church and state, cementing religious freedom as the norm in the United States. Last but certainly not least, as a stalwart champion of freedom of speech, I let the Sedition Act expire instead of taking personal revenge on my political opponents, which served to bolster the First Amendment at a time when it was wavering. I am enthusiastically devoted to the rights and liberty of all Americans.
Educated by private tutors and at the College of William and Mary, I am skilled and knowledgeable in law, music, dancing, natural science, mathematics, architecture, astronomy, agriculture, poetry, and can speak and read in four languages. My shortcomings are price haggling due to my sincerity, public speaking because of my soft low tone voice, and my addiction to buying books which I cannot live without but put me further into debt. Overall, I love to observe, learn, and take notes on any subject that interests me to satisfy my boundless curiosity and expand my insatiable thirst for knowledge, whether the subject is a French farmer or a Hessian fly. Nature intended me for the tranquil pursuits of science, by rendering them my supreme delight. Science is the mother of freedom, thus science is important to the preservation of our republican government and it is also essential to its protection against foreign power.
While as the first Secretary of State under George Washington, I headed the first US Patent office, which was appropriate since I invented the swivel chair, moldboard plow, dumbwaiter, automatic door, cipher wheel, macaroni machine. I also popularized ice cream, tomatoes, french fries, and macaroni and cheese. On February 6, 1802, I served macaroni and cheese for the first time at a White House dinner. I understand “mac & cheese” continues to be a favorite dish in American households, especially with children; knowing that, I am happy. The good old Book, speaking of children says, “happy is the man who hath his quiver full of them.”
As the third US President, I reduced the national debt by over 30 percent, doubled the size of the country with the Louisiana Purchase, and ensured citizens’ safety by subduing the troublesome Barbary pirates. My cabinet had harmony because only men of the highest integrity and of mild and amiable temperament were chosen, with me leading by example. Because I am a widow, instead of a First Lady, my grown daughters and Mrs. Madison served as hostesses. I authorized the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which led to scientific discoveries, peaceful relations with Native Americans, and the establishment of the Oregon and Washington territories. I make no apology for this trouble, because I know that Captain Lewis and Lieutenant Clark wished to promote science which had induced me to have brought forward this proposition.
It is no accident these United States have lasted and stayed united after 248 years and counting, but not without trials and tribulations. I — followed by my closest friends James Madison and James Monroe — helped to establish the long tradition of US Presidents transferring power peacefully and stepping down at the end of two terms after George Washington did so initially. Given the history of mankind, this was no small feat. It is my desire that my writings on ThomasJefferson.com will remind you of your own dreams and ideals not only as an American but as a decent and honorable human being in an often unfair and hostile world, pushing society forward by loosening entrenched wrongs and implementing principled solutions to complicated problems. Yet there is a snail-paced gait for the advance of new ideas on the general mind, under which we must acquiesce. My experience of popular assemblies has taught me that you must give them time for every step you take. If too hard pushed, they balk, and the machine retrogrades.
For 2025 and the Semiquincentennial and beyond, let us observe, learn, and take notes on where we came from and how we got here, because only then will we know best where to go and how to get there. What a stand will America secure as a ralliance for the reason and freedom of the globe! I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past. I will dream on, always fancying that you are by my side marking the progress and the obliquities of ages and countries all over the world.
My Personal Info
Born: April 13, 1743 (April 2, 1743, under the Old Style, Julian calendar, the usage of which stopped in 1752)
Birthplace: Shadwell, Albemarle County, Virginia (located by the Rivanna River near Charlottesville, Virginia)
Parents: Jane Randolph and Peter Jefferson, of Welsh descent; I was the third of ten children
“Died”: At Monticello on July 4, 1826 (Age 83), America's 50th birthday
“Last words”: “Is it the Fourth?”
Hair: Thick, wavy, strawberry blond (Grey later in life)
Eyes: Animated hazel
Complexion: Fair skin, ruddy cheeks with freckles
Height: 6 feet 2.5 inches
Weight: 175 lbs
Voice: Soft, low tone
Spouse: Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson (died September 6, 1782, age 33)
Children: Martha “Patsy” (1772-1836), Jane Randolph (died as toddler), Unnamed Son (died as infant), Mary “Polly” (1778-1804), Lucy Elizabeth (died as infant), Lucy Elizabeth (died as toddler)
Likes: Hiking, riding on my horses Caractacus and Eagle, writing letters (over 19,000 letters written), collecting books (6,487 volumes sold to Library of Congress), natural science, mockingbirds, chess, Paris and French culture, best friend Dabney Carr, Mrs. Jefferson, Maria Cosway (my heart won), Marquis de Lafayette, John Locke, Francis Bacon, Isaac Newton, Enlightenment ideas, William Shakespeare, American Philosophical Society, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, James Monroe, Mr. and Mrs. Adams, morning cold-foot baths, Megalonyx, improving and inventing things, architecture, culinary arts, horticulture, linguistics (including Native American), maintaining friendships, playing the violin, buying toys for my grandchildren, humming my favorite tune while walking or working, wearing comfortable clothes with slippers, American republicanism, federalism (neither unitary nor confederate state), united yet decentralized (closer to the will of the people), public service and advancing American interests
Dislikes: Public speaking, price haggling, other people editing my writings, debts, billiards, mineral baths at Warm Springs (had a staph infection afterwards), some ideas from Alexander Hamilton, calumnies, indolence, pomp, medicine, migraine headaches, tyranny
Personality: Morning person (the sun had never caught me in bed), calm and genteel disposition, some intelligence (even when dining alone, according to JFK), diligent and hardworking, boundless curiosity, methodical planner, adore children, mentor young people, reserved with strangers, jocular with close friends
My Life’s Timeline
April 13, 1743 (April 2, 1743, Old Style, Julian calendar)
Born at Shadwell, Albemarle County, Virginia, to Jane Randolph and Peter Jefferson, of Welsh descent
Late 1745 - Age 2
Moved from Shadwell to Tuckahoe, my earliest memory was being carried on a pillow by my father’s slave
1752 - Age 9
Moved back to Shadwell
1752 to 1757 - Age 9 to 14
Instructed by Rev. William Douglas in Latin, Greek, French
1757 - Age 14
Able of write down my favorite violin tunes, practicing the violin three hours daily
August 17, 1757 - Age 14
Death of my Father, Peter Jefferson, inheriting approximately 5000 acres of land
1758 - Age 15
Began to write and compile Literary Commonplace Book
1758 to 1760 - Age 15 to 16
Tutored by and lived with Rev. James Maury near Gordonsville, Virginia, where I studied history, science, and the classics
March 1760 - Age 16
Entered William and Mary College, where I met for the first time: William Small, George Wythe, Francis Fauquier, Patrick Henry, and Cherokee chief Ostenaco
April 25, 1762 - Age 19
I graduated from William and Mary College. After a lot of dancing my first year there, the second year I was studying 15 hours a day.
Late April 1762 - Age 19
Entered law office of George Wythe
October 6, 1763 - Age 20
Rebecca Burwell rejected my marriage proposal
March 19, 1764 - Age 20
Experienced my first migraine headache (among many in my lifetime) after finding out Rebecca Burwell was marrying Jack Ambler
October 1765 - Age 22
Jane, my favorite sister, died
May 26, 1766 - Age 23
When in Philadelphia, I had an inoculation against smallpox
1767 - Age 24
Admitted to the bar
May 2, 1768 - Age 25
Met George Washington for the first time at a play in Williamsburg
May 1768 - Age 25
Started to build on Monticello, a lifelong project. Its final form was largely inspired by the Hotel de Salm (built in 1782), admired when I was in Paris, France, as Minister to France (1784-1789).
March 1769 - Age 25
Elected to Virginia House of Burgesses
February 1, 1770 - Age 26
Fire at Shadwell, destroyed my first library
April 1770 - Age 27
As a lawyer, I argued in the court case, Howell v. Netherland, where I defended an enslaved man, Samuel Howell. I was unsuccessful.
January 1, 1772 - Age 28
Marriage to Martha Wayles Skelton, a source of unchequered happiness
September 10, 1772 - Age 29
Took on enslaved client, George Manly, in George Manly v. Richard Callaway. I brought action to recover his freedom, and was successful. He later worked for me for wages at Monticello.
September 27, 1772 - Age 29
Birth of my first daughter, Martha “Patsy”
May 22, 1773 - Age 30
Buried my best friend Dabney Carr at Monticello
May 27, 1773 - Age 30
Father-in-law John Wayles died, inheriting 11,000 acres, 135 slaves, and debts
October 1773 - Age 30
Appointed surveyor of Albemarle County
April 3, 1774 - Age 30
Birth of my second daughter, Jane Randolph
August 1774 - Age 31
Gave up practicing law after handling 949 cases
March 1775 - Age 31
Elected Deputy to Continental Congress
June 21, 1775 - Age 32
Attended Continental Congress, and met Benjamin Franklin and John Adams for the first time
September 1775 - Age 32
Second daughter Jane Randolph dies
September 26, 1775 - Age 32
As Colonel, I was the commander of the Albemarle County Militia
March 31, 1776 - Age 32
Death of my Mother
June 11, 1776 - Age 33
Appointed on Committee to prepare Declaration of Independence
June 28, 1776 - Age 33
Draft of Declaration reported
September 26, 1776 - Age 33
Elected Commissioner to France
October 1776 - Age 33
Attended Virginia Assembly, met James Madison for the first time
October 1776 - Age 33
Abolished entail and primogeniture in Virginia
November 6, 1776 - Age 33
Appointed on Committee to revise Virginia Laws
May 28, 1777 - Age 34
Birth of son
June 14, 1777 - Age 34
Death of son
June 16, 1777 - Age 34
Introduced bill to prevent importation of slaves
August 1, 1778 - Age 35
Birth of my third daughter, Mary. She was “Polly” when young, “Maria” as an adult
June 1, 1779 - Age 36
Elected Governor of Virginia, met James Monroe for the first time later in the year
June 18, 1779 - Age 36
Introduced Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom (Finally passed later in 1786. It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.)
January 1780 - Age 36
Joined the American Philosophical Society
June 1, 1780 - Age 37
Reelected Governor of Virginia
November 3, 1780 - Age 37
My fourth daughter, Lucy Elizabeth, born
1781 - Age 37
Wrote Notes on the State of Virginia (published 1785 in French, 1787 in English), where I advocated for gradual emancipation of slaves
April 1781 - Age 37
My fourth daughter, Lucy Elizabeth, dies
April 29, 1781 - Age 38
Met Marquis de Lafayette for the first time
June 1, 1781 - Age 38
Resigned Governorship
June 14, 1781 - Age 38
Appointed Peace Commissioner by Continental Congress
June 30, 1781 - Age 38
Appointment declined
November 5, 1781 - Age 38
Attended Virginia Assembly
November 30, 1781 - Age 38
Elected Delegate to Congress
December 12, 1781 - Age 38
Voted Thanks of Assembly
May 8, 1782 - Age 39
My fifth daughter, Lucy Elizabeth, born
September 6, 1782 - Age 39
Death of Mrs. Jefferson, an extremely sad time in my life
November 12, 1782 - Age 39
Appointed Peace Commissioner to Europe
April 1, 1783 - Age 40
Appointment withdrawn
June 6, 1783 - Age 40
Elected Delegate to Congress
1784 - Age 40
Proposed to ban slavery in all territories and new states (called “Jeffersonian Proviso”, which influenced the wording of the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery)
1784 - Age 40
Wrote the Notes on the Establishment of a Money Unit and of a Coinage for US
March 12, 1784 - Age 40
Elected Chairman of Congress
May 7, 1784 - Age 41
Elected Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Versailles
August 6, 1784 - Age 41
Arrived in Paris. Later meet up with the Adams family, including young John Quincy Adams (17 years old) for the first time.
October 13, 1784 - Age 41
Death of my youngest daughter, Lucy Elizabeth
March 10, 1785 - Age 41
Elected French Minister by Congress. Benjamin Franklin held this position previously.
May 17, 1785 - Age 42
Audience at French Court
January 16, 1786 - Age 42
Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom passed (first introduced in 1779)
March 22, 1786 - Age 42
Presented to George III at Windsor, but he was rude to us
April 4, 1786 - Age 42
Visited Stratford-upon-Avon to visit Shakespeare’s house with John Adams
August 1786 - Age 43
Met and fell in love with Maria Cosway. Good times.
October 1786 - Age 43
Made an LL.D. by Yale
October 1, 1787 - Age 44
Sends moose to Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon
June 1788 - Age 45
Made an LL.D. by Harvard
May 19, 1789 - Age 46
First correspondence with Thomas Paine
June 3, 1789 - Age 46
Prepared Charter for France
September 25, 1789 - Age 46
Nominated to be Secretary of State
September 26, 1789 - Age 46
Confirmed by Senate
October 1789 - Age 46
Left France
December 24, 1789 - Age 46
Arrived home at Monticello
February 14, 1790 - Age 46
Accepted Secretaryship of State
February 28, 1790 - Age 46
Marriage of my daughter Martha to Thomas Mann Randolph
June 20, 1790 - Age 47
Met Alexander Hamilton for the first time
August 1790 - Age 47
Published Plan for Establishing Uniformity in the Coinage, Weights, and Measures of the US
August 19, 1791 - Age 48
Received letter from black mathematician, Benjamin Banneker, who changed my mind regarding blacks in my Notes on the State of Virginia
May 23, 1792 - Age 49
Wrote to Washington of intention to resign from Cabinet
1793 - Age 49
Met Albert Gallatin, my future Secretary of the Treasury, for the first time
January 1793 - Age 49
Reconsidered resignation
January 9,1793 - Age 49
Balloonist Jean Pierre Blanchard flies over Philadelphia, and I was there to witness it
February 1793 - Age 49
Offered French Mission
December 31, 1793 - Age 50
Resigned Secretaryship of State
September 1794 - Age 51
Offered Foreign Mission
November 4, 1796 - Age 53
Elected Vice-President because I placed second with 68 votes versus 71 votes going to Adams, but the actual count was 69 votes to 70 votes
January 1797 - Age 53
Elected President of American Philosophical Society
March 4, 1797 - Age 53
Took oath of office as Vice-President
March 10, 1797 - Age 53
Gave lecture on the Megalonyx, an extinct giant sloth, initially thought to be a lion-like predator
October 13, 1797 - Age 54
Marriage of my daughter Mary Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes
October 1798 - Age 55
Wrote Essay on Study of Anglo-Saxon
October 1798 - Age 55
Drafted Kentucky Resolutions
November 1798 - Age 55
Revised Madison's Virginia Resolutions
1800 - Age 56
Met William Henry Harrison, future President, for the first time
January 1800 - Age 56
Jupiter, my personal servant since childhood, died
January 18, 1800 - Age 56
Planned University of Virginia
February 1800 - Age 56
Prepared Parliamentary Manual
April 24, 1800 - Age 57
Library of Congress created
May 1800 - Age 57
Republican caucus nominates me and Mr. Burr
February 11, 1801 - Age 57
Congress begins to ballot for President
February 17, 1801 - Age 57
Elected President
February 27, 1801 - Age 57
My Manual of Parliamentary Practice published (still used in Senate and House of Representatives to this day)
February 28, 1801 - Age 57
Farewell Address to Senate
March 4, 1801 - Age 57
Inauguration as President, “We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists,” outlining the plan for our republic for the next 24 years
March 18, 1801 - Age 57
Invited Thomas Paine safe passage to America. He landed on October 30, 1802.
August 1801 - Age 58
Had Dr. Waterhouse administer smallpox vaccine to my family members, slaves, and neighbors. About 200 people were protected. I first received my smallpox inoculation much earlier, in May 1766 at 23 years old.
February 6, 1802 - Age 58
Served macaroni and cheese for the first time at a White House dinner
March 16, 1802 - Age 58
Founded the United States Military Academy at West Point
April 6, 1802 - Age 58
Repealed the unpopular distilled spirits excise tax (“whiskey tax”) and other internal Federal taxes
1803 - Age 59
Met Andrew Jackson, future President, for the first time
May 2, 1803 - Age 60
Louisiana Treaty signed at Paris
October 20, 1803 - Age 60
Louisiana Treaty ratified
January 18, 1804 - Age 60
Message on taking possession of Louisiana
March 1804 - Age 60
Acquired the polygraph so I can copy my letters
April 17, 1804 - Age 61
Mary Jefferson (Eppes), my third daughter, died. She was only 25 years old.
July 11, 1804 - Age 61
Duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr took place
December 5, 1804 - Age 61
Reelected President of United States
March 2, 1807 - Age 63
Signed bill to end slave trade
September 1, 1807 - Age 64
Proposed to seize the Floridas
December 22, 1807 - Age 64
Embargo Act signed
1808 - Age 64
First met Zachary Taylor, future President
March 1, 1809 - Age 65
Repeal of Embargo signed
March 4, 1809 - Age 65
Retired as President, a prisoner released from my chains of power
March 17, 1809 - Age 65
Arrived at Monticello
October 21, 1809 - Age 66
Met for the first time 19-year-old John Tyler, future President, when visiting his father Virginia Governor John Tyler, Sr., who was my college roommate at William and Mary
January 1, 1812 - Age 68
John Adam writes to me, rekindling our friendship
November 1814 - Age 71
Resigned Presidency of American Philosophical Society, after over 17 years as President and 34 years as a Member
January 1815 - Age 71
Congress passes bill to buy my library (6,487 volumes)
January 25, 1819 - Age 75
University of Virginia was founded. My school would be a model for other universities in the future.
1820 - Age 77
Completed The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth (“Jefferson Bible”)
January 6, 1821 - Age 77
Wrote my Autobiography, for posterity
May 1824 - Age 81
Met Martin Van Buren, future President, for the first time
November 4, 1824 - Age 81
Marquis de Lafayette visits Monticello, after having last seen him in 1789
December 1824 - Age 81
Daniel Webster visited me at Monticello. This is when I called Gen. Andrew Jackson “a dangerous man” if he becomes President (he eventually was) because of his lack of emotional control and lack of respect for laws and the Constitution.
October 3, 1825 - Age 82
My emotional address to students, faculty, trustees after riot at the University of Virginia
December 1825 - Age 82
Drafted Virginia Protest
March 16, 1826 - Age 82
Executed will
June 24, 1826 - Age 83
Declined invitation to 50th Fourth of July celebration in Washington due to health
July 4, 1826, 12:50 PM - Age 83
“Dead.” The attendants found me wearing a gold locket on a chain around my neck containing a faded blue ribbon around a lock of my wife Martha's light hair from over 40 years before. Same day as John Adams’s death.
February 17, 2025 - Age 281
Go to present-day America to present my gift, ThomasJefferson.com, and prepare for the upcoming Semiquincentennial. February 17 was also the date when I was elected President in 1801. I did not miss our nation’s 50th birthday, so I will not miss its 250th birthday.