Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1859-12-02
VOL. XIII.
JEFFERSoN'S WEDDING AND
HIS WEDDING NIGHT.

JEFFERSoN,S WEDDING AND
HIS WEDDING NIGHT.
The following pleasing picture is from the
early days of Jeferaon, in the New York Cen
tury:
Belinda (Jefersons first love- had been
married many years, and her old admirer was
approaching thirty, when he met with young
lady of twenty-one, who produced strong i'm
preston upon him. She was little above
the medium height, slender, but elegantly FORM
ed. A fair complexion, with delicate tint Of
the rose large hazel eyes, full of life and feel
ing and luxuriant hair of a rich, soft auburn,
formed a combination OF attractions which
were eminently calculated to move the heart of
a youthful bachelor. In addition to all this,
the lady was admirably graceful she rode,
danced and moved with elegant ease, and sang
and played the harpsichord very sweetly--
Add still to these accomplishments the posses
sion of excellent good sense, very considerable
cultivation, a warm, loving heart, and last,
though not least, notable talents for house
keeping, and it will not be difficult TO under
stand how the youthful Mr. Jefferson came to
visit very frequently at the lady's residence, in
the county of Charles City. 1t was called
=" The Forest" and the name of the lady was
Mrs Martha Shelton. She was a daughter of
John Wayles, an eminent lawyer, and had mar
ried in her seventeenth year, Mr.. Bathurst
Shelton, who, dying in 1868, left his young
wife widow at nineteen. As the three years
of mourning began to expire, the beautiful
young lady found herself beseiged at '' The
Forest" by numerous visitors Of these
three were favorites with the fair Mrs. Shelton,
of whom Mr. Thomas Jefferson was one
The tradition runs that the pretentions of the
rivals were decided, either by the musical ac-
complishments of the young counsellor, or by
the fears of his opponents. The tale is differ
emily related. One version is, that the unfor
tunate gentlemen encountered each other on
Mrs. Skeletons doorstep, but hearing Mr.. JEFF
fersons violin and voice accompanying the
lady in a pathetic song, gave up the contest
thenceforth and retired without entering, con-
vinced that the affair was beyond their con-
troll.
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 lady
in singing with her companion deprived the
listeners of all hope. However this may be,
it is certain that the beautiful widow consented
to become Mrs. Jefferson; and OH the first day
of January, l772, there was great festival at
The Forest" Friends aid kindred assem-
bled from far and near-there was frolicking
and dancing after the abundant old fashion,
and we find from the bridegroom's notebook
that the servants and fidlers received fees from
his especial pocket 1t showed without but
Al. Tl,a
light and warmth Of the great log-fires, roaring
in honor of the occasion. Soon after the per-
formance of the ceremony, the bridegrem and
his bride set out in their carriage for " Month
cello'' where Mr.. Jefferson had commenced
building in 100 just before The destruction.
by fire, of his patrimonial house Of Shadwell.
The Journey was not to end without adven-
turcs. As they advanced toward the noun
tans, 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 "BIeni,eim," the seat of Col. Carter,
where he found, however, no one but an over
seer, 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 encumbcred with snow three
feet deep. We may fancy the sensations of
the newly wcdclcd bride at the chill appearance
of the drsolate landscape, she passed along
through the snow; but she was woman Of
courage, and good sense, and did not care for
| inconvenience.
!. 1t was late when they arrived, and 4 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 us dark and silent as the grave
! Conducting his wife to the little pavilion.
which was the only part of the house habitable
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 discomft-
ted by their reception, however, it only served
for a topic of jest and laughter. The young
lady was as merry and light-hearted as a bird
and sent her clear voice ringing through the
dreary little pavilion as gaiy as she had ever
done in the cheerful drawing-room of The
Forest" Thus the long hours of the winter
night fed away like minutes, winged witt
laughter, merriment and song. The virgil wa:
a mirthful incident rather than trial of equa
nimity. They were young-and they had JUS
been married. When hands are clasped, ant
hearts beat close together, there is very littl'
gloom in darkness, and winter nights are moi
, cold This little moral sentiment will not,
hope, be criticised as too romantic for the dig
nifty of history 1t doubtless explains how
young lady and gentleman, both used to ever.
comfort and luxury, found the gloomy littl
pavilion in the midst of three feet of snow
: neither dark nor cold, on that January nigh
long ago.