The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-06-16
THOMAS JEFFERSON.
Reeolleetions Of the lllustrious Patriot
and Statesman,
As Given by Mrs. &eikleham, his
Granddaughter.
The Ups aud Downs Of His Life.

my mother was Martha Jefferson. When
Int girl she accompanied my grandfather
70 Paris when he went to France as minister
,or the United States. While in Paris she
met Thomas Mann Randolph, who had
come from Glasgow, where he was being
educated, to see my grandfather. The &c.
ousintance ripened into an attachment and
an engagement. This was the romance of |
nv mothers marriage. Young Randolph
who was afterwards governor of Virginia.
lived at Edge Hill. just across from Monti.
cello. My mother was my grandfather's
f,yorite daughter, aud he hated to have her |
marry, even though she was only going |
across the river Rivanna to Edge Hill. So, |
after nv mother was married-she married |
At l7-she was constantly in and out of
grandfather's house, and thus 1t came that
was born in Monticello. | lived there
and at Edge Hill until grandfather died. at
which time l was twelve years old, re.
member him as grand old man, one of the
purest domestic characters that ever lived.
lie was always kind and smiable. | re.
member that 1t u,ed to be my delight to
climb upon his knee, and with one of those
side COIuUa WhiSh WClS III ldSulOu III tnOSe
DAYS, used to run the comb through his
hair in my childish way. Never once did
he put me down, but would wait until
grew tired and climbed down of my own
will. Then my mother would brush the
gray hairs that | had disarranged. re.
member also that there was long hall in
the house, along which my grandfather
would promenade. 1t was grand delight
for us children to run from one end OF the
hail to the other, and have him stop us
with his arms outstretched. These were
happy days in the old home at Monticello"
you were in the house when he ded?m
ION. yes, although Was not in the room.
The children were removed just before the
last moment. In his sickness he was the
same grand character, patient, forbearing
and kind. do not think that he died un,
conscious for just before was taken from
the room, which was just a minute or two
before his death, l said to him, Grand.
father, do you know meY He did not
answer, but | felt a slight pressure of his
hand upon mine, which was lying in his.
During his illness he expressed desire to
1--we until after O'Clock on tine 4th of july.
His wish was gratifed, for it was 10 O clock
on July 4, 1896, when he died.
do you remember any famous visitors
to Monticello3"
Madison was frequent visitor there. l
remember him particularly, because he al
ways wore knee breeches, whereas nv
grandfather discarded them when they
remember, too, my grandfather wore a
queue. Lafayette was a visitor for nine
weeks at Monticello, and remember him
distinctly"
"How was it that Monticello passed out
Of the family"
My grand ather, In the unfortunate style
of those days, vent security for friend TO
the amount OF some 500, 600 or $50, 900, aud
lost every thing. The place passed into the
hands of DR.. Barley who plougbed up
the beautiful lawn and made it a corntield.
A fayorite room of my grandfather he filled
with silk worms and branches Of trees, and
in other ways he seemed to do everything
in his power to depreciate the place. / am
told that he was little deranged or cratic
After him Captain Levy, of the navy
owned Monticello. He restored the place
to some degree. His descendants now oc,
'cupy the house, aud charge an admission
fee to visitors. When | was there, some
twelve years ago, / was obliged to pay
twenty-five cents to enter the house where
my grandfather lived and where l wa:
born"
There seemed to be shade of bitterness.
in Mrs. Meikleham's voice as she said this
Have you been there SINGER"
NO; a visit there would be too painful
When I was there did not pay to visit the
graves, for went around into the grave
yard through the broken wall, so that
might be alone. | understand now tina
the price of admission has been raised t
fifty cents"
ibid Congress ever make any effort t.
buy Monticello"
"A long time ago bill was introduced
to buy the estate, but 1t never passed
When it was pending wrote to Mrs. oecre
tary Fish and asked that il the bill passe
might be MADE the matron or guardian c
the place for the government believ
that could restore the house and lawn /
every particular. | could plant the peonie
and the sweet scented shrubs in the yer
places where they grew when lived there
The very curve of the wSlks l remember.
Tell me something about your ow
family" said the Post.
81 was one Of the twelve children. Thel
were five sons and seven daughters. wa
the last daughter, and was named Septim
tor that reason. | was married in 1888, an
met my husband, who was physical
while was travelling in Cuba for my healtl
wanted to be married in the old homestea
at Monticello, but Captain Levy was the
occupying it. suppose If had asked hi
to let the ceremony occur there he won
have willingly assented. but we thougl
perhaps it would be best not to do 1t. al
so | was married at Edge Hill. All N
brothers and sisters are dead. Five
them left descendants. These were Thor
as Jefferson Randolph, Of Virginia; MI
Ellen Coolidge. Of Boston; Mrs. Anne Z
rey Bankhead. of Virginia, and DR.. Benz
min Randolph, Of Virginia. The 9th
grandchildren Of Thomas Jefferson died
married."