The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1883-07-28
OUR EARLY PREsEDESTs.



Jefferson lived at Monticello in thu
meridian ofhis intellectual manhood
the patron of seats of learning, tht
friend of the great of the earth-as {
citizen of Virginia, and his mountain
home was as accessible as the labor
er's cottage. His predecessors in the
great office he filed dwelt like him il
modest homes-Adams in a New
England village and Washington al
Mount Vernon, where his munificenl
hospitality made his Virginia home
seem like great mansion, whereas
it was not more pretentious, save as
to grounds, than are the homes Of
mechanics to-day. Madison's home
was the finest of all the Presidents
and he died SO poor that his widow,
to get the means to pay her board in
Washington, sold her public papers
to Congress. He had no children, land
yet did not leave wealth sufficient to
keep his homestead in the possession
ofhis family ten years after his death.
Monroe, the author of the doctrine
that is to-day the guide and monitor
of the nation in it's dealings with other
nations, lived for his country and died
homeless. Long before his death he
sold his country home in Virginia and
became an inmate Of his daughters
house in New York, where he died.
Jackson, like Washington, Jefferson,
Madison and Monroe, owned o farm,
and although he had no children, the
State of Tennessee bought the Her
initage to save it from the auctioneer's
hammer, and shelters there to-day
the last descendant of his wife. who,
il she were not SO protected would
be dependant on public charity.
In this city at the present time is
Septima, the seventh and youngest
grandchild of Thomas Jefferson, an
aged lady who, through Congressman
Robinson, appealed and appealed in
vain to the last Congress for a pen
sion to keep her from suffering for
the comforts of life.
The descendants of the men who
pioneered the country through its
dark days of war and aided it with
their splendid meutal energies and
patriotism are for the most part, like
Mrs. Meiklehem, poor, and they are
like her, aliens to the historic homes
of their forefathers, while many of
them are wanderers on the face Of the
earth. There is scarcely historic
family in this country living on its
acres and perpetuating the
fame of its distinguished
Mount Vernon is owned
by the women of this country, and
the pcaple of Virginia, who have in
their veins the blood Of Washington,
are, for the most part, very poor
has been sold several
times within the past twenty five
years, and now is owned by a Rich
mond merchant, who will live there
in summer. The hermitage, as has
been said belongs to the State of
Tennessee, and the fate of Monticello
all the world knows.
The Presidents succeeding jackson
we're men of like mind in their appre-
citation Of the greatness Of their office,
and defendants of the majority OF
them are to-day richer in blood than
they are in income. So also, are the
of men like Clay, Calhoun,
Benton, Randolph and Webster. The
example of patriotism set by the
founders of the Government has
been potent and powerful, and it has
been honor enough TO be grandson
Or a daughter, a niece or son of a
President.
The defendants of these first of our
rulers are not numerous now. In
Virginia are a few of the Washington
family of Lawrence Washington
and of the Madisons there
are none. Monroe has one or two
nieces and nephew living, and Jack
son has not a living descendant. The
Adams family is the best represented
Of the six. Jefferson has a number
IF descendants and Mrs. Meikleham
IS his nearest living relation. She is
The youngest daughter of his eldest
daughter, Martha, who married a
and is the last of her seven
daughters. Mrs. Randolph left a
arge family of children but all are
lead save this daughter, now woman
IF elderly years and slender purse.
She has been supported for many
years by her daughter, who was an
employee in one Of the departments in
Washington. Jefferson had no sons,
and his only other child Marie Eppes,
lied during his second term. Mrs.
was a noble Virginia ma
ron, and Jeferson's last days were
made wretched by the thought
hat he should have to leave her
Door. The home was sold and the
fund, that was so generously pro-
posed to be raised for her was never
secured.