Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-10-22
JEFFERSON'S WEDDING.

The following scene is from the early days Of
Jefferson, in the New York Century,
Belinda (JefIcrson's first love) had been
married many years, and her old admircr was
approaching thirty when he met with a Young
lady twenty-five, who produced a strong i'm
preston upon him. She was little above the
medium hight, 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 rich, soft auburn, formed
a combination of attractions which were emil
ncntly calculated to move the heart of youth.
ful bachelor In addition to all this the lady
was admirably graceful; she rode, danced and
moved with elegant ease and sang and played
on the harpsicord very sweetly. Add still to
these accomp pllshments, the possession of excel
lent good sense, very considerable cultivation, n
warm, loving heart and last. though not 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 "lhe Forest" and the name of the
lady was Mrs. Martha Skcon She was the
daughter of John Wayles, an eminent lawyer,
and had married in her l7tf wear, Mr. Bathurst
Skelton, who dying in l7GS, left his yong wife
a widow at 10. As the three wears of mourning
began to expire, the beautiful Young lady found
herself bcseigcd at The Forest" by numerous
visitors. OF these, three were fayorites with the
iair Mrs Skelton. Of whom Mr. Thomas Jcilcr-
son was one. The tradition run, that the pre-
tension of the rivals were decided either by the
musical accomplishments of the young counsel
lor, or by the fears of his opponents The tale
is differently related. One ,ersion is that the
two unfortunate gentlemen encountered each
other on Mrs. Sketon's door step. but hearing
Mr.. Jefferson's violin and voice accompanying
the lady in a pathetic song. gave up the contest
thcnccturth and retired without entering, con-
yinccd 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 entercdir and the tones
of the lady in singing with Ter companion de-
prived the listeners of all hope However this
may be, it is certain that tn, beautiful widow
consented to become Mrs. Jefferson: and on the
first day of January, l712, there was a great
festival at "lhc Forest" Friends and kindred
assembled far and ncIr-lh,re was frolicki-g
and dancing after the abundant old fashion,
and We find from the bridcgrooms note book
that the servants and fdllers received fees from
his especial pocket. !. showed without, but
within all was mirth AMI enjoyment, in the light
and warmth of the great long fires, roaring in
honor Of the occasion. Soon after the perform
ancc OF the ceremony, the bridegroom and the
bride set out in their carriage for Monticello"
where Mr.. Jefferson had commenced building in
1860. Just before the destruction by fire of his
patrimonial house of "Shadwell." The Journey
was not to end without adventures. As they adj
vaucrd towards the mountains, the snow in
creased in depth, and finally they were compcll-
cd to leave the carrngc, and proceeded ON their
way on horseback. Stopping to rest on " Blcn-
helm, the seat of Col. Carter. where they found.
however, no one but the oyerScer, they left at
sunset, resolutely bent upon reaching Monticello
before night. 1t WAS eight miles distant, and
the road, which was rather Il mountain blidle-
path than an honest highway, WIS encumbercd
with snow three feet deep.
We may fancy the sensations of the newly
welded bride at the chill appearance of the
deSolate landscape, as she passed along the
snow; but she was a woman of courage and good
sense, and did not care for Inconvenience 1t
was late when they arrived, and a cheerless re-
ception 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 ha6itable 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 an
noyed or diScomtittcd by their reception, how
ever it only served for topic of Jest and laugh
ter. The young lady was as merry and light
hearted as bird, and sent her clear voice ring
ing through the drcary little pavilion as gaily as
she had ever done in the cheerful drawing. room
of "The Forest" Thus the long hours of the
winter night fled away like minutes, winged with
laughter, merriment and song. The vigil was a
mirthiul incident rather than trial of their
equanimity. They were young and they had
just been married. When hands are clasped and
hearts beat close together there is very little
gloom in darkness, and winter nights are not
cold. This little moral sentiment will not, |
hope be criticised as too romantic for the "dig-
nifty of history 1t doubtless explains how a
young lady and gentleman, both used to every
comfort and luxury, found the gloomy little pa
vilion in the midst of three feet of snow neither
dark nor cold, on that January night long ago.