Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-09-07

JehersOn's Wedding and his Wedding Night
The following pleasing picture is from the
Early Days of Jefferson, in the New York
Century:
Belinda" (Jeffersons first Iove) had been
married many years, and her old admirer was
approaching thirty, when he met with young
lady of twenty two, who produced 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 feeling; and luxurinnt hair Of rich soft
| auburn, formed a combination Of attractions
which were eminently calculated to move the
heart of a youthful bachelor Ia addition to
all this, the lady was admirably graceful: che
rode, danced and moved with elegant ease,
and sang and played on the harpsichord very
swcetly. Add still to these accomplishments
the possession of excellent good sense, very
considerable cultivation, warm, loving heart,
and last, though not least, notable talents for
housekeeping, and it will not be difficult to un-
derstand how the youthful Mr., Jefferson came
to visit very frequently at the lady's residence,
in the couny OF Charles City. Il was called
'The Forest, and the name Of the lady was
Mrs. Martha Shelton. She was a daughter of
John lies, an eminent lawyer, and had mar
ried in her seventeenth year, Mr.. Bathurst Skel-
ton, who, dying in l76s, left his young wife
widow at nineteen As the thee years of
mourning began to expire, the beautiful young
lady found herself besieged at "The Forest" by
numerous visitors. Ofthesethree were favor
ties with the fair Mrs. Shelton, of whom Mr.
thomas Jefferson was one. The tradition runs
that the pretensions of the rivals were decided,
either by the musical accomplishments of the
young counsellor, or by the fears of his OPP
ponents. The tale is differently related One
version is, that the two unfortunate gentlemen
encountered each other on Mrs. Skeletons door
step, but hearing Mr.. Jeilersons violin and
voice accompanying the lady in pathetic song,
gave up the contest thencefOrth and retired
without entering, convinced that the affair was
beyond their control. Et Ea
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 de-
PTived the list 'Ders Of all bOpe. However this
may be, il is certain that the beautiful widow
consented to become Mrs. Jefferson; and on
the first day of January, l772, there was great
festival at "The Forest" Friends and kindred
assembled from far and nenr-there was frclick-
ing and dancing after the abundant old fashion
and we find from the bridegroom's note book
that the servants and hddleIs received fees from
his especial pocket. Il showed without, but
WAhnlu hiA was lulIlu anu euluyInenL IN the
light and warmth Of the great log fires, roaring
in honor Of the ceremony, the bridegroom and
his bride set out in their carriage for "Monti-
cello" where No. Jefferson had commenced
building in 1869, Just before the destruction by
fire of his patrimOnial house Of "ShadWel -
The journey was not to end without adven-
lures. As they advanced toward the noun
talns, the snow Increased in depth, and finally
they were compelled to leave the carriage and
proceed upon their way on horseback Stop.
ping to rest at "Blenheim," the seat of Col
Carter, where they found however, no one but
an OveTseer, they left it at sunset Tesolutely
bent upon reaching Monticello before night
II was eight miles distant, and the rode, which
was rather amOuntain bridle-path than an hon.
est highway, was encountered with snow
three feet deep. We may fancy the sensations
of the newly welded bride at the chill appear
ance Of the desOlate landscape as she passed
along through the snow; but she was a woman
of courage and good sense, and did notlcare for
inconvenience. 1t was late when they arrived
and a cherries reception awaited them--or
rather, thore was no reception at all. The fires
we're 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 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 discounted by their re-
eeption, however, it only served for topic Of
jest and laughter. The young lady was as mer-
ry and liz ht hearted as a 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 'The Forest" Thus
the long hours of the winter night fed away
like minutes, winged with laughter, merriment
aud song. The vigil was mirthful incident
rather than a trial OF their equauimity They
were young--and they had just been married.
4 When hands are claspod, and hearts beat close
together, there 10 very little gloom in darkness,
and winter nights are not cold This little
moral sentiment, will not, hope, he criticised
as too romantic for che dignity Of history
IL doubtless explains how . young lady and
gentleman, both used to every comfort and lux
ury, found the gloomy little pavilion In the
midst Of three feet Of snow, neither dark nor
cold, on that January night long ago.