Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-11-18
The Private Life and Personal Habits Of
Them0s Jefferson.

very interesting paper on Jefferson
at Monticello" was read on Tuesday even
ing before the New York Historical Society.
1t contained some elaborate statements CON
cerning the private life and personal habits
of Jefferson, derived from new sources.
Mr.. Jeferson's estate was quite large
There were about ten thousand acres. 1t was
net profitable estate, being uneven and
hard to work. The whole was divided into
four plantations, each in charge Of an over
seer. Around the bull lings acres of ground
were planted with trees flowers were very
plentiful, and these were also found scat
tered over the estate. Of fruit of every
description there were great quantities
the speaker had never seen such place
for fruit Monticello was on high ground
and fruit never failed. Mr.. Jefferson was
fond of shrubbery; he cultivated it care
fully; and when he was in Washington
sent home large quantities, which he pro-
cured in nursery in Alexandria. He
always knew all about every tree or plant
on every part of his grounds, and just
where any were missing.
Mr.. Jefferson was very fond of all kinds
Of good stock. The first full-bred Merino
sheep in all that portion Of country were
imported for himself and Mr.. Madison while
he was President. He afterward imported
from Barbsry four large broad-tailed
sh ep; and also six hogs, of which General
Dearborn had two. But the horse was Mr.
Jefierson's favorite animal; he was pas
s;onately fond Of fine, good horses, and
would not ride or drive any thing but high
bred animals Bay was his favorite color
he would have no other. John Randolph
would have none but black horses When
Mr. jefferson came from Washington, at the
conclusion of his Presidential term, he had
a new carriage built, according to design
of his own. The work was all done by his
own workmen, except the plating, which
was done in Richmond. He always had
FIVE horses when he rode out in that car
riage-four attached to it and one saddle
horse These had such names as Washing
ton, Wellington, and Eagle. Mr.. Jefferson
would never allow them to be controlled by
reins he would not trust himself; but two
servants rode on horseback, each guiding
pair
Mr.. jefferson built fiouring-mill while
l CBacon) lived with him. it was a large
four-story building and had four run of
stones. He also built railway, on which
ten or twelve persons were sometimes en-
ployed He had factory for making do
mestic cloths there were three spinning
iennies, one with thirty-six spindles, the
second with eighteen, and the smallest with
six. There the clothing for all his servants
was made, and good deal besides. He
also had blacksmith shop.
Mr.. Jefferson was six feet two and half
inches high, well-proportioned and straight
as a gun barrel. He had no surplus flesh.
He was very strong; and he had machine
.. for measuring strength. Very few men
have seen try it were as strong as his SON
in-law, Thomas Mann Randolph; but Mr..
Jefferson was stronger than he. He enjoyed
the best of health-was never really sick
in his life until his last sickness. His skin
was pure, he had blue eyes, and kindness
always marked his countenance, which
bore serenely mild expression; he was
never disturbed. On one occasion, says
Captain Brown, the narrator, eleven thous-
and bushels of oats were in the MILL the rain
fell in torrents, when the water was al
ready high during the entire night; l got
up early and went to the dam; soon it be-
gan to break and I saw the whole swept
away. / never felt worse in my life. l
went to see Mr.. Jefferson about it. He had
lust come from breakfast. On seeing me he
i quired if had heard from the mill-dam
Ireplied that had just come from there, and
that the dam was all swept away. He re-
piled, as calmly as though nothing had hap
pened, that we must build temporary one
for this season, and that next summer we
would make dam that could not be washed
away.
Mr.. Jefferson was always an early riser,
and generally rode out at daybreak or be-
fore. have never found him in bed, though
often having occasion to see him very early
in the morning. thought several times
when l went at an unusually early hour
that would find him in bed-but there he
would be walking on the terrace (the cap
tain closing with his favorite expression,
straight as a gun-barrel. Laughter II,
never had O servant to make q fire in hi!
room; he always had quantity of ashe:
in the fireplace, and usually kept the fire
alive by covering it, doing the work with
his own hands. He did not use tobacco in
any form, Applause +; he never used pro-
fame word, nor any thing like it; he never
played at cards. Inever saw a card in the
house at Monticello, and his overseers had
particular orders to suppress card-playing
among the negroes. never saw any dane
ing in his house. He was never a great
eater, but what he did eat was very choice
never ate much hog-meat, and he told me
when l gave out food for the servants, fol
one week, that it was more than he would
need in six months. He was very fond Of
Guinea fowl also ate two or three kinds Of
flesh, particularly lamb. He was also very
fond of fruit and vegetables, and raised
every variety. In his dress he was very
neat; be wore short breeches and brigh
buckles When he rode on horseback ht
wore oyeralls.
Mr.. Jefferson never debarred himsel
from hearing any preacher that came along
An instance of his liberality and peculiar
ity is given. A poor Baptis named Richter
preached a sermon near his estate, and Mr.
Jefferson-he was quite old then-had O
stool, with which servant accompanied
him carried to the place, where he sat
during the delivery of the sermon. At the
close some one proposed that the hat should
be passed around to collect the means O.
purchasing q horse for brother Richter
Without waiting for the hat Mr.. Jefferson go
off his stool, placed his hand in his pocket
taking thence considerable sum (neitheI
he nor any one else knew the amount) and
striding up to the preacher, gave it to hin
with his best wishes. He then took his de
parture.
He was very kind to the poor. When h
came home from Washington, those people
were first TO find it out, and came asking
for assistance. He gave them notes to, me
directing me what to give them. l knew
them better than be, and told him some 0
them were undeserving, but he said he cOulC
not resist their appeals. Finally be PLACED
the matter in nv hands, but these peopl