The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1870-09-15
JEFFERsON'S WEDDING AND HIS
WEDDING NIGHT.


had been married many years, her old
admirer was approaching thirty, when
he met with young lady of twenty
two, who produced a strong impress
sion upon him. She was little above
the medium height-slender, but ele-
gantly formed; fair complexion,
with a delicate tint of the rose; large,
hazel eyes, full of life and feeling; q
luxuriant hair of rich, soft auburn
forming a combination of attractions
which were eminently calculated to
move the heart of a youthful bache-
.lor. In addition to all this, the lady
was admirably graceful; she rode,
danced, and moved with elegant ease,
and played on the harpsichord very
sweetly. Add still to all these accom-
plishments the possession of excellent
good sense, very considerable cultiva-
ton, warm, loving heart, and last
though not least, notable talents for
housekeeping, and it will not be diff
cult to understand how the youthful
Mr.. Jefferson came to visit very fire.
quently at the lady's residence, in the
county of Charles City. Itwas called
The Forest" and the name of the
lady was Mrs. Martha Shelton, She
daughter of John Wayles, an emf
nent lawyer, and had married, in her
seventeenth year, Mr.. Barnhart Skel-
ton, who, dying in 176S, left his young
wife a widow at nineteen. AS the
three years of mourning began to ex-
pire, the beautiful young lady found
herself besieged at "The Forest" by
numerous visitors. OF these, three
were favorites with the fair Mrs.
SHELTON, of whom Mr.. Thomas Jeffer-
son was one. The tradition runs that
the preteDsions of the rivals were de-
cided either by the musical accom-
plishments of the young counsellor,
or by the fears of his opponents. The
tale is differently related. One YER
sion is that the two unfortunate gen.
tlemen encountered each other on
Mrs. Skeletons doorstep, but hearing
Mr.. Jefferson's violin and voice ac-
companying the lady in pathetic
song, gave up the contest thenceforth,
and retired without entering, con-
yinced that the affair was beyond their
control. s5
The other story is, that all three
met at the door, and agreed to take
their turns. Mr.. Jefferson entered
first, and the tones of the lady in slng-
ing with her companion deprived the
listeners of all hope. However this
may be, it is certain that the beautiful
widow consented to become Mrs. JEFF
ferson, and on the first day of Janu-
ary, 1772, there was great festival at
+" The Forest" ;" Friends and kindred
assembled from far and near. There
was frolicking and dancing, after the
abundant old fashion; and we find
from the bridegroom's notebook, that
the servants and fiddlers received fees
from his especial pocket-book. 1t
showed without, but within all was
mirth and enjoyment, in the light and
warmth of the great log-fres, roaring
in honor Of the occasion.
Soon after the performance of the
ceremony, the bridegroom and his
bride set out in their carriage for
Monticello" where Mr.. jefferson
had commenced building in 1883, just
before the destruction, by fire, of his
patrimonial house of Shadwell."-.
The journey was not to end without
adventures. AS they advanced tow
ard the mountains, the snow increased
in depth, and finally they were COM
PEELED to leave the carriage and pro-
ceed on their way on horseback. They
stopped to rest at Blenhim," the
seat of Col. Carter, where they found
no one but an overseer. They lett at
sunset, resolutely bent on reaching
Monticello before night. 1t was eight
miles distant, and the road which was
rather a bridlepath than an honest
highway, was encumbered with snow
three feet deep. We may fancy the
sensation of the newly-wedded; bride
at the chill appearance of the desolate
landscape, as she passed along
through the snow; but she was a wo-
man of courage and good sense, and
did not care for inconvenience.
1t was late when they arrived, and
a cherries reception awaited them
or, rather, there was no reception at
all, The fires were all out, the SER
wants had gone to bed, and the place
was as dark and silent as the grave
Conducting his wife to the little pa
yalion, which was the only part of the
house habitable at the time, Mr.. JEFF
ferson proceeded to do honors. On a
shelf, behind some books, part of
bottle of wine was discovered; and
this formed the supper of the bride-
groom and bride. Far from being
annoyed or discounted by their re-
ception, however, it only served as a
topic of jest and laughter. The young
lady was as merry and as lighthearted
as a bird, and sent her clear voice
ringing through the dreary little pa
valion as gayly as she had ever done
in the cheerful drawing-room of
"The Forest" Thus the long hours
of the winter night fled away like
minutes, winged with laughter, mer-
riment and song. The vigil was a
mirth incident, rather than a trial to
their cquanimity. They were young
and just married. When hands are
clasped, and hearts beat close togeth-
er, there is very little gloom in dark
ness, when winter nights are not cold.
This little moral sentiment viii not, !
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