Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1859-09-06
JEFFERsoSs WEDDING.

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JEFFERsoSI WEDDING The following scene
is from the Early Days of jefferson, in the N.
Century:
belinda (Jeferson's first love- had been
married man MS, and her old admirer fWas3
approaching thirty, when he met with asyounesl
lady of twenty two, who produced a strong3iu
preston nponIhim. She was little above the,
medium height, slender, but elegantly fortnedsi
fair complexion, with delicate tint Of the |
nose; large hazel eyes, ful.of life and feelings
and luxuriant hair of a rich, soft auburn, form.
ed combinations of attractions which were en-
inently calculated heart off a youth
full bachelor In addition to all this tho lady
was admirably graceful : She rode, danced ganf
moved with elegant ease, and sangsand playedj
on the harpsichord very sweety. Add still to
Ithese accomplishments thehpossession. of excel
Flentgoods sense, very considers bic cultiYation
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, residence, in the county OF Charles City.
TWAS called 1.-The Forest, and the name of the
lady was MRS. Martha SHELTON. She was. a
daughter of John Wayles, an eminent lawyer,
and had married inther seventeenth year, M r..
Bathurst Shelton, who; dyingiin 1856, left his
Young wife widow at nineteen: AS the three
years Of mourning began expire, the, beauti-t
/
Forest" by numerous visitors. OF these three
were iaVorites with the fair Mrs. Shelton, Of
| whom Mr.. Thomas Jefferson was one. The ira
EDITION runs that the pretenSionsE of. the rivals,
were decided either by the musical accomplish.
ments of the young counsellor, cor by the fears
Of hs.opPonents. The tale is differently related.
Ono version is, that the two unfortunate gentle
men encountered each otherton Mrs Sketon's
door step, but hearing Mr.. Jeffersons violin and
voiceaccompauyingt the lady in pathetic song,
lgave up the contest thenceforth and retired
without entering, convinced that the affair was
| beyond their control.
The other story is, thataall 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, 1t is certainthHt the beautiful wild.
ow'consented so&become Mrs. u efferson; and on
the first day of January, 1872, there was great
festival at '.Ehe Forest." Friends and kindred
assembled from far and near-there was frolick-
ing and dancing after the abundant old fashion
and we find from the bridegroom'S notebook.
that the servants and tiddlerS received fees from
his especial pocket. 1t showed without but
within all was mirtb and enjoyment, IN. the light
and warmth5of the great log fires, roaring in
honor of the occasion. Soon after the perform.
ance of the ceremony, the bridegroom and his
bride set onti their carriage for .'SIonticelo"
| where Alr. Jefferson had commenced building in
i 1919, just before the destruction by Gre of his
patrimoni: ] house Of "ShadwelI." The journey
was not to end without adventures. AS they
advanced toward the mountains, the snow in
creased in depth, and finally they were compel
led to leave the carriage and proceed upon their
way on horseback. Stopping to rest ut "Blen.
1 helm" the seat af Col. Carter, IS here they found
/ however, no one but an oveISeer they left it at
sunset, resolutelY bent upon reaching MOnticel-
10 before night. 1t was ght miles distant and
flNo" VTN hS,ofNT 81
| path than an honest highway, was, encountered
with snow three feet deep. We may fancy the
sensations of the ncwly-weddrd bride al
4 the chill appearance of the dcsoate land
scape, as she passed along the snow; but
she was woman of courage and good
| sense, and did not care for Inconvenience
| twas late when they arrived, and Il cherries
! 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
vile TO the little pavilion, which was the only
/ part of the house habitable at the time Mr.
Jefferson proceeded to do the honors. On a
shelf behind some books, part of bottle Of
wine was discovered and this formed the sup.
per OF the bridegroom and the bride. Far from
| beng annoyed or discounted by the reception
| however, 1t only served for topic of Jest aud
laughter. The young lady was as merry and
lllght-bearted as bird, and sent her clear voice
ringing through the dreary little pavilion as
gally as she had ever done in the cheerful.
Idrawing-room of "The Forest" Thus the long
hours OF. the winter night fed away like min
utes, winged with laughter, merrment and
song. The vigil was a mirthrul incident ia Their
than trial Of their equanimity. They were
young, and they had just been married When
hands are clasped, aud hearts beat close toseth-
Ter, there is very little gloom in darkness and
winter nights are-not cold This little mora!
sentiment will.not, hope, be criticised as too
romantic for the dignity of history" 1t
doubtless explains how young lady and gem.
tlemen, both used to every comfort and luxury,
three feet of snow, neither dark nor cold, ON
that January night long ago.
soNE Of the Democratic papers ''down south,
are advocating the enactment of.laws prohibit
ing Northerners from voting who have moi resi-