Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-12
THE GAZETTE.
MONDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER IL, 1859.
.JEFFERSON'S WEDDING.

MONDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER IL, 1859.
JEFFERSON'S WEDDING.
The following pleasing picture is from the
Early Days of Jefferson, in the New York
Century
Belinda" (Jefferson's first love- had been
married MANY wears, and her old admirer
was approaching thirty, when he met with
n Young lady of twenty-five, who produced
strong impression upon him. She was
little above the medium height, slender, but
elegantly formed. A fair complexion, with
a delicate tint of the rose, large hazel eyes,
full of life and feeling, and luxuriant hair of
q rich soft auburn, formed o combination of
attractions which were eminently calculated
to move the heart of youthful bachelor
In addition toall this, the lady was admirably
graceful; she rode, danced, and moved with
elegant ease, and sang and played on the
harpsichOrd very sweetly. Add still to these
accomplishments the possession of excellent
good sense, very considerable cultivation, u
warm, loving heart, and last, though not the
least, notable talents for housekeeping, and
it will not be difficult to understand how the
youthful Mr.. Jefferson came to visit very
frequently at the lady's residence. in the
county of Charles City. 1t was called "rhe
Forest" and the name of the lady was Mrs
Martha Shelton. She was daughter of
John Wayles, an eminent lawyer, and had
married in her seventeenth year, Mr.. Bathurst
Shelton, who dying in 1868, left his young
wife a widow at nineteen. As the three
years of mourning began to expire, the beau
tiful Young lady found herself beseged at
The Forest" by numerous visitors. or
these, three were favorites with the fair Mrs
SHELTON, of whom Mr.. Thomas jefferson was
one The tradition runs that the pretensions
of the rivals we're decided. either by the mus
ical accomplishments of the young counsel
lor or by the fears of his opponents. The
tale is differently related. One version is,
that the two unfortunate gentlemen encoun-
tered each other on Mrs. Skeletons door step,
but hearing Mr.. Jefferson's violin and voice
accompanying the lady in a pathetic song,
gave up the contest thenceforth and retired
without entering, convinced that the affair
was beyond their control.
The other story is, that all three met at the
door, and agreed that they would take their
turns. Mr.. Jefferson entered first and the
tones of the lady in singing with her companion
deprived the listeners of all hope. However
this may be, it is certain that the beautiful wi
dow consented to become Mrs. Jefferson, and
on the first day of January, l772, there wasa
great festival at 1.-THE Forest" Friends and
kindred assembled from far and near-there
was frolicking and dancing after the album
dant old fashiOn-and We find from the bride
goom's note book that the servants and i'd
oilers received fees from his especial pocket.
1t showed without, but within all was mirth
and enjoyment, in height and warmth Of the
great log fires, roaring in honor Of the occasion.
Soon after the performance of the ceremony,
the bridegroom and his bride set out for
Monticello" where Mr.. Jefferson had COM
menced building in 1869, just before the
destruction by fire ofhis patrimonial house
of "Shadwell." The journey was not to end
without adventures. AS they advanced
towards the mountain the snow increased in
dep.h; and finally they were compelled to
leave their carriage and proceed on their way
on horseback. Stopping to rest at "Blen-
heim," the seat of Col. Carter, where they
found however, no one but an Overseer, they
left it ut sunset, resolutely bent upon reach
ing Monticello before night. 1t was eight
miles distant, and the road, which was
rather mountain bride path than an honest
highway, was encountered with snow three
feet deep. We may fancy the sensations of
tie newly welded bride at the chill appear
ance of the desolate landscape, as she passed
along through the snow; but she was
q woman Of courage and good sense,
and did not care for inconvenience
1t was late when they arrived, and cheer
less reception awaited them-or rather, there
was no reception at all. The fires were all
out, the servants had gone to bed, and the
place was as dark and silent as the grave
Conducting his wife to the little pavilion,
which was the only part of the house habi-
table at the time, Mr.. Jefferson proceeded to
do the honors On shelf behind some books
part of bottle of wine was discovered and
this formed the supper of the bridegroom and
the bride. Far from being annoyed or dis
comforted by their reception, however, it on
ly Sc we'd for a topic Of jest and laug hter.-
The young lady was as merry and light
hearted az bird, and sent her clear voice
ringing through the dreary little pavilion as
gaily as she had ever done in the cheerful
drawing room of 1.-THE Forest" Thus the
long hours of the winter night fled away like
minutes, winged with laughter, merriment
and song. The vigil was mirthful incident
rather than a trial of their equanimity.-
Thew were young-and they had just been
married. When hands are clasped, and
hearts beat close together, there is very lit
tie gloom in darkness, and winter nights
are not cold. This little moral sentiment
will not, hope be criticized as too romantic
for the dignity of history" 1t, doubtless
explains how young lady and gentleman
both used to every comfort and luxury, found
the gloomy little pavilion in the midst of
three feet of snow, neither dark nor cold, on
that January night long ago.
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