Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-08-02
Percentage of Jefferson.

The following, from the pen of Hon D. p
Thompson, we find in the editorial columns
of the Green Mountain Freeman :
The circumstances OF the union from which
sprung the illustrious American statesman,
Thomas Jefferson, have never, we think ex-
cept in such general terms as would convey no
definite idea of their peculiar character, vet
reached the eye Of the public But having
learned them from the aged neighbors of MIR.
jefferson, during former sojourn in Virginia
and being well convinced of their entire truth,
we will venture to relate them for the amuse-
ment of our readers.
Mr.. Jefferson'S father was poor, but an in
dustriouS and intelligent mechanic and, as
society was constituted in Virginia, he was
wholly excluded from the ranks of the arts
tocracy, and could have had no hope of form,
ing family connection with them, but for the
following incident
One of the proud and lordly Randolphs
wishing some repairs to be made on the door
steps of his e ansion, and having heard of the
expertness of the young carpenter, Jefferson
who resided in the same parish, sent for him
to come and do the work In this family there
were several beautiful and accomplished
daughters who were the acknowledged bellies
of that part of the country while one of the
sisters was so far behind the rest, either in ac
complishments or the faculty OF showing off
to advantage, that she was subject TO mortity
ing neglect by the young men who thronged
the establishment, being generally left at home
while her more favored sisters were taken off
for the constant rounds of parties and pleasure
excursions in vogue among the wealthy fami-
lies of the place. 1t was during one of these
instances OF neglect that young jefferson hap
pened to be at work on the steps, and the re-
Specttul attentions he then had an opportunity
of paying the sighted girl, so strongly
affected her with the contrast with those
she had been accustomed to receive from
all other young gentlemen who were
admitted TO the house, that her ac.
tons soon revealed to the quick eye of
eff the ambitious young mechanic condition
OF heart that he thought he might improve to
advantage. And acting on that belief, he
perse vered and so well profited by his oppor-
tunitier that within few days Il mutual en-
gagemelt was formed, and runaway match
concocteC and carried into effect There was,
to be SURF terrible rumpus kicked up by
the proud kandolphs when it was discovered
that one OF the family had disgraced them and
herself as they esteemed it, by running away
with, and marrying q poor mechanic. But
finding there was no help for it, and learning,
upon inquiry, tina 1.-THE young man was as smart
as he was bold, they at length recalled the
truant daughter with her husband, installed
them into the family, and gave them their
patrimony.
From this match, sprung, we believe, two
sons and several daughters, part of whom,
like Thomas Jefferson, the subsequent states.
man and president, strikingly inherited the
intellectual characteristics and enterprise of
the father, and the other part the quite
Ordinary and commonplace traits Of the
mother.