The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-06-04
PARENTAGE OF THoM as JEFFER-
SON.


The following from the pen of Hon. d.
P. Thompson, we fnd in the editorial
columns of the "Creen mountain Free
man" Judge Thompson spent several
years in the vicinity of Mr.. Jefferson S
residence, as teacher in his younger
days.
The circumstances of the union from
which sprung the illustrious American
Statesman, Thomas Jefferson, have nev-
er, we think, except in such general terms
as would convey no definite idea of their
peculiar character, yet reached the eye
of the public. But having learned them
from the aged neighbors of Mr.. Jeffer-
son, during former sojourn in Virginia,
and being we'll convinced of their entire
truth, we will venture to relate them for
the amusement of our readers.
Mr.. Jefferson's s father was a poor, but
industrious and intelligent mechanic !;
and as society was constituted in Vir-
ginia, he was, therefore, wholly excluded
from the ranks of the aristocraey, and
could have had no hope of forming the
family connection with them, which ac-
cident at length so curiously brought
about.
One of the proud and lordly Ran
dolphs, wishing some repairs to be made
on the doorsteps of his mansion, and
having heard of the expertness of the
young carpenter, Jefferson, who resided
in the same parish, sent for him to come
and do the work In this family there
were several beautiful and accomplished
daughters who were the acknowledged
| bellies of that part of the country while
one of the sisters was so far behind the
rest, either in accomplishments, or the
faculty of showing off to advantage, that
she was subject to the most mortifying
neglect by the young men who thronged
the establishment, being generally left
at home, while her more favored sisters
we're taken off for the constant rounds
of parties and pleasure excursions in
vogue among the wealthy families of the
place. 1t was during one of these in
stances of this neglect that young JEFF
erson happened to be at work on the
steps, and the respectful attentions he
then had an opportunity of paying the
sighted girl SO strongly affected her
with the contrast with those she had
been accustomed to receive from all 9th
er gentlemen who were admitted to the
house, that her factions soon revealed
to the quick eye of the ambitious young
mechanic condition of heart which he
thought he might htimproVe to advantage
And acting on that belief, he preserved
and so we'll proited by his opportunities
that within few days mutual engage
ment was formed, and runaway match
coucocted and carried into effect. There
was to be sure, terrible rumpus kicked
up by the proud Randolphs, when it was
discovered that one of their family had
disgraced them and herself, as they es-
teemed it, by running away with, and
marrying poor mechanic. But finding
there was no help for it, and learning
upon enquiry that the young man was as
smart as he was bold, they at length re-
called the truant daughter with her
husband, installed them into the rank
of the family and gave them their patri-
mony.
From this match sprung We believe
two sons and several daughters; part
of whom like Thomas Jefferson, the
subsequent statesman and President,
striking!y inherited the intellectual
characteristics and enterprise of the
father, and the other the quiet ordinary
and common place traits of the moth
| er.