The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-07-16
THE HOME or JEFFERSON
Nee who have Owned MonticoIIo, and Relies
that have been Found There,

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-lSir. In an
interesting article on the homo OF Jefferson In
THE WEEKLY SUN Of June 2S, the writer has
evidently been misinformed as 20 the facts in
connection with this historic property. and It's
successive ownership since the death OF Mr..
Jefferson. as well "a In regard TO the relics and
"reminiscences Of Monticello. With your per-
mission. l will give brief statement OF tho
facts from personal knowledge. IA the public is
Interested In having tho 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. by the late flag officer OF the United States
Navy. Commodore Uriah p, Levy" and. as the
story goes Gen. jackson personally moved him
to become tho owner by sending for him and
saying; ,Monticello Is for sale. and | want you
to buy it" and the Commodore said II always
Hoo % my " sqpsror and went and b9ugh,
writer Of the article referred to.
AIRY under the auspices OF the Christian Mis-
S sionary society, and author Of the City of the
aS TS% MIR
Mr. Jefferson. for 81 500 in 1882 1t was not
purchased by Commodore Levy directly from
pought a. public sale. and title was conveyed to
him by Dr. Barclay for much smaller consid-
Bardar iadm S ~ bs money paid by Pr
place having been previously sold off by Dr.
Barclay When Commodore Levy bought the
having required their removal before the prop
e.rty was owned by Commodore Levy. Up to
1he time 81 the transfer Of the property to Dr.
named Keith, who made. handsome gains by
charging en- visitors admission to tho premises
Dr. barclay made extensive repairs TO the ter
races and beautifled the grounds, as well as the
lnterlor OF the mansion. and put in running
o order the complicated machinery OF the grand
olu tower CLOCK. which was permanent fixture
IN the building. as well AS the Louis XVI. mir
irors which, were set in the walls and immova-
rodo to Philadelphia to sign the Declaration OF
d dn1tepdendenfo BAD some time before been pre-
by Dr.. Barclay. The cradle Of Mr. Jefferson son
was given to one OF the sisters Of Mrs Barclay.
Mrs Crawford. who was a devoted admircr Of
old harpsichord we're preserved by Mrs. DR..
Barclay as heirlooms, and the adjustable
book cases so constructed as to be adapted to
DOCKS OF any size. were preserved by Dr. Bar
clay and carried with him to Jerusalem and
from the Holy City brought back by him to Ala
place in the family OF DR.. Barclay. 10
pr. Plummer of the Presbyterian Board OF
Missions was donated Q valuable collection of
American Board Of C9mmissioners for Foreign
the threshold of Monticello rs its first owner
after after the death Of President ,Jefrersonl. and
where no resided Tor nearly three years, dis
pensing, liberal hospitality. and extending a
found Mr. Jefferson bed chamber un it; ie
ed. and furnished with his iron bedstead.
which was immoyably attached to the wall,
MS table and books In undsturbed position,
with his lamp. whose midnight oil he had
often burned and an herbarium filled with
rare native and exotic flowers, which was given
to Mrs. Hieskell. a sister Of Mrs. Barclay. A
bust OF Voltaire was also found among tho
relics OF the Sage Of Monticello and the dumb
waiter and iron fixtures belonging to his wine
cellar An intimate friendship had existed
between Mr. Jefferson and the grandfather Of
Special Commissioner to Morocco to arrange a
treaty with the Agerine powers. which was
most satisfactorily consummated by the effec-
tive aid OF Commodore Decatur and his guns.
The or ginal Arabic manuscript of that treaty
Is now in possession Of the writer as well AS
many letters from MIR. Jefferson to his grand
father. contemporaneous with tho opening of
the ports OF Tnnis. Tripoli and Algers.