The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-09-24
Jefferson. Wedding and hi. Wedding Nigh.

L O1k century: Htr
Belinda" Gefferson's first love) had
been married many years, and her old
admirer was approaching thirty, when he
met with a young lady of twenty-five,
who produced a strong impression upon
him. She was little above the medium
height, slender, but elegantly formed. A
fair complexion, with delicate tint of the
rose; large hazel eyes, full of life and feel
ing; and luxuriant hair of rich, soft au-
burn, formed a combipa alton of attractions
which were eminently calculated to move
the heart of youthful bachelor. In ad-
dition to all this, the lady was admirably
graceful; she rode, danced and moved
with elegant ease, and played on the harp
sichord very sweetly. Add still to these
accomplishments, the possession of excel
lent good sense, very considerable cultiva-
ton, a 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 resi-
dence, in the county of Charles City. 1t
was called "The. Forest" and the name
Of the lady was Mrs. Martha Skeleton
She was a daughter of John Wayles, an
eminent lawyer, and had married in her
seventeenth year, Mr.. Bathurst Skeleton,
who dying in 1768, left his young wife a
widow at nineteen.
As the three years of mourning began
to expire, the beautiful young lady found
herself besieged at "The Forest" by nu-
merous visitors. Of these, three were
favorites with the fair Mrs. Skeleton, of
whom Mr.. Thomas Jefferson was one
The tradition runs that the pretentions of
the rivals were decided, either by the
musical accomplishments of the young
counselor, or by the fears of his opponents.
The tale is differently related. One ver-
sion is, that the two unfortunate gentle
men encountered each other on Mrs Skel-
eton's doorstep, but hearing Mr.. Jeffer-
sons violin and voice accompanying the
lady in pathetic song, gave up the con-
test thenceforth aud retired without enter
ing, 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 eompsnion deprived the listeners of
all hope. However this may be, 1T is GER
tain that the beautiful widow consented
to become Mrs. Jefferson; and on the first
day of January, 1772, there was great
festival at "The Forest" Friends and
kindred assembled from far and near
there, was frplicine and dancing after the
abundant old fashion-and we find from
the bridegroom's notebook, that the SER
wants and fiddlers received fees from his
especial pocket. 1t showed without, but
within all was mirth and enjoyment, in
the light and warmth Of the great log fire,
roaring In honor of the occasion. Soon
after the performance Of the ceremony,
the bridegroom and his bride set out in
their carriage for Monticello" where
Mr.. Jefferson had commenced building
in 1863, just before the destruction by
fire of his patrimonial house of "Shad-
well.p The tourney was not to end with
out adventure. As they advanced towards
the mountains, the snow increased in
depth, and finally they were compelled to
leave the carriage and proceed on Their
way on horseback. Stopping to rest at
Blenheim," the seat of Col. Carter
where he found, however, no one but an
overseer, they left at sunset, resolutely
bent on reaching Monticello before night.
1t was eight miles distant, and the road
which was rather a mountain bride path
than, an honest highway, was encum
bered with snow three feet deep. We
NAV fancy the sensations of the newly
welded bride at the chill appearance O
the desolate landscape, as she passed alons
through the snow; but she was a woman
of courage and good sense, and did no
care for inconvenience.
1t was late when they arrived, and (
cherries reception awaited them-or
rather there was no reception at all.G
The fires were all out; the servants hal
gone to bed, and the place was as darl
and silent as the grave. Conducting hi
wife to the little pavilion, which was tn
only part of the house hsbitsble at th
time, Mr.. Jefferson proceeded to do tn
honors. On shelf, behind some books
part of bottle of wine was discovered
and this formed the supper of the bride
groom and the bride. Far from bein
! annoyed or discomfted by their reception
it only served for atopic of jest and laugh
ter. The young lady was as merry an,
light-hearted as a bird, and sent her cles
voice ringing through the dreary little pa
villion as gaily as she had ever done i
the cheerful drawingroom of "The Fol
est" Thus the long hours of the winte
night fed away like minutes, winse
with laughter, merriment and song. Th
, vigil was mirthful incident rather tha
|, trial of their equanimity. They wer
young-and they had just been married
When hands are clssped, and hearts bes
close together, there is very little gloor
, in darkness, and winter nights are nc
+ cold. This little moral sentiment wi
, not, hope, be criticised as too romanti
for the dignity of history" 1t doubles
explains how young lady and gentle
man, both used to every comfort and u,
ury, found the gloomy little pavilion
, the midst of three feet of snow Meth,
> dark nor cold, on that January night lor
/, ago.
, Spurgeon