My private natal day without fanfare

It was on the thirteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord 1743, that I first drew breath upon this earth, at my father’s estate near Shadwell, situated just eastward of Charlottesville.

Yet, I must confess, I have never looked upon the annual recurrence of my own birth with any measure of celebration, having ever preferred to let that day pass in quiet reflection. From here on, I shall ever join you in passing o'er my private natal day without fanfare, reserving all joyous commemoration instead for the glorious birth of our nation—that momentous dawn of liberty we secured together.

How fleeting is the march of time, and how deeply gratifying it is to see that posterity has not entirely forgotten the quiet grounds of my own origin. This solitary stone monument, standing as a silent sentinel to mark the humble spot of my birth, was first placed upon that soil precisely one hundred years ago.

Photo credit: Steve Trumbull

Credit: Steve Trumbull