Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-12-17
JeFersOn,s Woaaing.


The following scene is from the Early
Days of Jefferson, ]" in the Ny Cesiu,y =
belinda (JetTersOn's first lovc) had
been married many years and her old admi-
ror was approaching thirty, when lie met "A
young lady Of twenty-five, who had produced
streaS impression upon him. She was "a
little above the medium hight, slender but
elegantly formed 4 fair complexion, with
delicate tint Of the rose; large hazel eyes.
full Of life and feeling, and luSuriant hair of
of rich soft auburn, formed combination oil
attractions which were eminently calculated
to move the heart of 4 youthful bachelor
In addition to all this the lady was admira-
bly, graceful; she rode, danced and moved
with elegant case, and sang and played upon
the harpSichord very swOcdy.
"And add to those accomplishments the
possession of excellent good sense, very CON
siderable cultivation, warm, loving heart
aud last, though not least, notable talent for
housekeeping, and it will not be difficult to
understand how the youthful Mr. Jefferson
came to visit very frequently at the lady's
residence, In the county of Charles City. II
was called The Forest aud the name II the
lady was Mrs. Martha Skclton She was the
daughter Of John Wales, AL eminent lawyer,
and had married in her scvcntccnth gear, Mr..
Shelton, who dying in I7GS left his wife a
widow of nineteen. AS the three years OF
mourning begEn to expire, the beautiful
young lady found herself bcsicgcd at Tho
Forest by numerous visitors. Ofthcsc, three
were favoritcs with the fair Nrs SHELTON, of
whom Mr.. Thomas Jefferson was one. The
tradition runs that the prctentions of the
rivals were DECIDED either by the musical ac
complishmcnts of the young counselor. or by
the fears of his opponents. The tale is different
ly related. One version is the two unfortunate
gentlemen encountered each other on Mrs
Skelton's door step, but hanring Mr. JcfTcr-
sons viSiin and voice accompanying the lady
in pathetic song, gave up the contest thence
forth and retired without entering, convinced
that the affair was beyond their control
'.Thc other is that all three met at the door,
aud agreed that they would take turns Mr.
Jefferson entered first and the tones of tho
lady in singing with her companion deprived
the listeners of all hope. However this NAV
be, 1t is certain that the beautiful widow con-
sented to become Mrs. Jefferson and on the
first Of January, l777, there was grand
festival at the Forest Friends and kindred
assembled from far and near there Was
frolicing and dancing after the abEndSAt old
fashion, and We find from the bridegr0om's
notebook that the servants and fddlets re,
It.snowed without, but within all was mirth
and enjoyment in the light and warmth Of
greatlog fires roaringin honor of the occasion
Soon alter the performance Of the ceremony
the bridegroom and his bride set out in their
carriage for Monticello, where AIr. Jefferson
had commenced building in 1863, Just bcfote
the destruction by fire of his patrimODiaI house
of "Shadwell." The journey was not to eud
without adventures. As they advanced to-
ward the mountain the SHOW increased in
depth and finally they were compelled to leave
the carriage and proceed upoa their way ON
horseback.
Stopping to rest at BlcnhciEl, the scat of
Col. Carter, where they found, however, no
one but an oveTscer, they left it at sunset,
rcsolutely bent upon reaching Monticello
before night. 1t was eight miles distant, and
the road, which was rather mountain bride
path than an honest highway, was incumbcred
with snow three feet deep. We may fancy
the sensations OF the newly married bride at
the chill appearance of the landscape rs she
passed along the snow but she was a woman
of courage aud good sense, and did not care
for Inconvenience. It was late when thew
arrived, and cherries reception awaited
them-Or rather there was no reception at all.
The fires we're out, the servants had gone to
bed, and the place was as dark and silent as
the grave. Conducting his wife 70 the little
pavilion, which was the only part oft house
habitable at the time, Mr.. Jefferson proceeded
to do the honors. On shelf behind some
books, part of a bottle of wine was discovered,
and this formed the supper of the bridegroom
and bride. Far from being annoyed or dis
eontented by the reception, it only served for
topic of jest and laughter The young lady
was merry and light-heartcd rs bird, and
sent her clear voice ringing through the
dreaTy little pavilion as gayly as she had ever
done in the cheerful drawing-rOom of "The
Forest" Thus the long hours of the winter
night fed away winged With laughter, merTi-
mcnt and song. The vigil was mirthfoI
incident rather than a trial of their equaDim-
ity. They were young and had just been
married. When hands ara clasped and
hearts beat close together, there Is very liz
tie gloom in darkness, and winter MI gbts are
not cold. This little moral sentiment will
not, hope, be criticised as tsO romantic for
the dignity Of history It doubtless ez-
plains how young lady and gentleman. both
used to every comfort and luxury, found the
gloomy little pavilion in the midst of three
feet of snow, neither dark nor cold, in that
January night long ago.
- One of the delegates to the Virginia
State Convention is a huge, ignorant, and