The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-07-04
THOMAS JEFFERSON,

AS He Is Recalled by His Granddaughter
as He Appeared Toward the Close of His
Life.
Mrs. Meiklehsm, the granddaughter Of
Thomas Jefferson, recently interviewed by
the Washington Post, ssid; my mother was
Martha Jefferson. When but girl she &C
companied my grandfather to Paris when he
went to France SIS Minister for the United
States. While in Paris she met Thomas
Mann Randolph, who had come from Glss-
gov, where he wss being educated, to see
my grandfather. The acquaintance ripene1
into an attachment and an engagement
This was the romance of my mothers mar
riage. Young Randolph was afterward
Governor of Virginia, lived at Edge Hill,
iust across from Monticello. Nv mother
YVES my grandfather's fsvorlte daughter, and
he hated to have her marry, even though
she was only going across the River Rivsnns
to Edge Hill. So, after my mother was
msrried-she married at 17-she was con-
stantly in and out of grandfather's house
and thus it came that was born in Month
cello. 1 lived there and at Edge Hill until
grandfather died, at which time 1 was l =
years old. remember him
as grand old man, one of the
purest domestic characters that ever lived.
He was always kind and amiable. l remem-
Der that it used to be my delight to climb
upon his knee, and, with one of those side.
combs which we're in is hicn IN those days, 1
used TO run the comb through his hair in my
childish way. Never once would he put me
down, but would wait until grew tired and
climbed down of my own will. Then nv
mother would brush the gray hairs that had
II hor all hof
was hall IN the house, along which my
grandfather would promenade. 1t was q
grand delight for US children to run from one
end of he hall to the other, and have him
stop US with bis arms outstretched. These
were happy days in the old home at Month
cello.
"You were il the house when he died?"
"Oh, yes, although 1 was not in the room.
The children were removed just before the
last moment. In bis sickness he was the
same grand character, patient, forbearing,
and kind. / do not think that he died IN
conscious, for just before was taken from
bis room, which was just minute or two be.
fore his death, said to him, "Grsndfsther,
do you know NET" He did not answer, bat
l felt a slight pressure of his hand upon
mine, which was lying in his. Daring HE
illness he expressed desire to live until sf-
ter o'clock on the 4th of July. His wish
was gratified, for it was ITO o'clock on July
4, 1926, when he died."
"Do you remember any famous visitors to
MontcelloP'
Madison was frequent visitor there.
remember MIN particularly because he 81
ways wore knee breechee, whereas my
grandfather discarded them when they went
cut of fashion. As far back as l can remem-
Der, too, my grandfather wore queue.
Lafayette was visitor for nine weeks
at Monticello, and 1 remember him dis.
tinctly."
How was it that Monticello passed out of
the family2"
"My grandfather, in the unfortunate style
of those days, went security for friend to
the amount Of $4,000 or $4,000, and lost
everything. The place passed into the
hands of q DR.. Barkley, who pIowed up the
beautiful lawn and made it cornfeld. A
favorite room of my grandfather he filed
with silkworms and branches of trees, and in
ether ways he seemed TO do everything in
hia power TO depreclate the place. am