The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-08-10
( TWO DOLLARS PER ANNUM,
NO.
The Home of Jefferson.

The New York San, of recent date, contains
the following communi cation, which will be
interesting to many of our readers, because of
the facts stated and the names mentioned
Some of the persons mentioned in it have rel
atives residing in Staunton and the writer,
himself, is connected by blood with Mrs. G. s.
Crawl ord, and Miss M J. Baldwin, ofthe Au-
gusta Female Seminary: at! a4
To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sw: In an
interesting article on the home of Jefferson in
The Weekly San of June %, the writer has
evidently been misinformed as to the facts in
connection with. the historic property, and its
successive ownership since the death OF Mr..
JEFFERSON, as well as IN regard to the relics and
"reminiscences of Monticello. With your per-
mission, l will give brief statement of the
facts from personal knowledge, as the public
Is interested in having the truth in all things
that regard the author of the Declaration of
independence, his home and surroundings.
The writer states that Monticello was pur-
chased soon after Mr. Jefferson's death, in 1928.
Dy the late flag officer of the United States
Navy, Commodore Uriah P. Levy" and as the
story goes, Gen. jackson personally moved
MN TO become the owner by sending for him
and saying Monticello is for sale, and want
you to buy it, and the Commodore said. II
always obey my superior officer and went
and bought it. We all know that what Gen.
jackson wished the Lord willed, but not as
detailed by the writer of the article referred
& Dr. J, T. Barclay, for many years mission
airy under the auspices of the Christian Mis-
slonary Society, and author Of the Getty of the
Great King" purchased Monticello from MIR.
J Jefferson Randolph, executor and guardian of
MIR. Jefferson, for $500 in 1882 1t was not
purchased by Commodore Levy directly from
the executors of President Jefferson, but was
bought at public sale, and title was conveyed
to him by DR.. Barclay for much smaller con-
slderatlon than the purchase money paid by
DR.. Barclay, portion of the land belonging to
the place having been previously sold off by
Dr. Barclay. When Commodore Levy bought
the place, there were no slaves on it, Dr. Bar
clay having required their removal before the
property was owned by Commodore Levy. Up
70 the time Of the transfer of the property to
Or. Barclay, it had been left il charge of an
agent named Keith, who made handsome gains
~ charging visitors admission to the premises.
Or. Barclay made extensive repairs to the ter
aces and beautified the grounds, as well as the
Interior of the mansion, and put in running
order the complicated machinery of the grand
I'D tower clock, which was permanent fix
ure IN the building, as well as the Louis XVI,
mirrors, which were set in the walls and i'm
Movable The famous old gig, in which JEFF
erson rode to Philadelphia to sign the Decla-
alton OF independence, had some time before
'een presented to Mr.. Peter Hieskell OF Staun-
on, Va, by DR.. Barclay. The cradle of Mr.
eHerson was given to one of the sisters of
Mrs, Barclay, Mrs. Crawford who was de-
1oted admirer of Mr.. Jefferson. The chairs.
Xix curtains, and old harpsichord were pre-
erVed by Mrs. DIR. Barclay as heirlooms, and
he adjustable book cases, SO constructed as to
'e adapted to books of any size, were preserv-
Id by DR.. Barclay and carried with him to Je-
usalem, and from the Holy City brought back
" him to Alabama where they have found a
esting place in the family of Dr. Barclay. To
Dr.. Plummer of the Presbyterian Board of
lissions was donated valuable collection
i heather images, which were removed from
lontlcello, and placed in the rooms of the
American Board OF Commissioners for Foreign
dlssions in Boston. When DR.. Barclay cross
d the threshold of Monticello as It's first owner
after the death of President Jefferson), and
where he resided for nearly three years dis
'enslng liberal hospitality, and extending
warm Virginia welcome to all visitors, he
ound Mr.. Jetferson's bed chamber undisturb-
d and furnished with his iron bedstead, which
vas immovably attached to the wall, his table
ND books in undisturbed position, with his
amp, whose midnight oil he had often burned,
nd an herbarium filled with rare native and
xotic flowers, which was given to Mrs Heis-
lell. sister of Mrs. Barclay A bust of Vol
aire was also found among the relics of the
sage of Monticello, and the dumb waiter and
ron fixtures belonging to his wine cellar. An
Intimate friendship had existed between Mr..
eterson and the grandfather of Dr. Barclay
When Ambassador to France and Special Com
missioner to Morocco to arrange treaty with
ne Algerlne powers, which was most satisfac-
oflly consummated by the effective aid of Com
aodore Decatur and his guns. The original
arabic manuscript of that treaty is now in
possession of the writer, as well as manyIetters
rom Mr.. Jefferson to his grandfather, contem-
oraneous with the opening of the ports of
'unls, Tripoli, and Aglers.
s.tt J. j. BABCLAY.
Wheeler, Ala, July s.