St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-03-28
OF HISTORIC FAMILY.

The Granddaughter of Thomas Jefferson
Il Vfsit to Her Homeuin Hashington-
. What She Says Abomt Losing Pensions
Washington letter.
In the outskirts of Georgetown, now west
Washington, is small slate-colored frame
house. From ityou get glimpse of Airing
ton, where SO many of the brave boys in blue
lie sleeping. Through an aperture in the
hills the shining waters on the Potomac can
be seen creeping slowly down the valley. The
house is very old; it was built during the
time of Washington. To judge from its ap-
pearance a slight jar would be sufficient to
level it to the ground. This house is at pres
ent the home of Sophia Randolph Meikleham,
granddaughter of Thomas jefferson, and
her three children. Humble as it is,
Mrs. Meikleham may not be able to keep the
cottage very long. The $50 rent per month
she is required to pay for it is more than her
slender means will allow. Once having ev-
erything, surrounded by friends, in the midst
of a happy home, the granddaughter of the
third president of the United States, she now
sees poverty and want staring her in the
face. Representative Robinson, of Brooklyn,
two years ago, hearing of Mrs. Miekleham's
straitened circumstances, undertook to get
bill passed granting her pension of 900
per annum. He has worked hard on the mat
ter ever since. Friday last the bill was re-
ported favorably to the house, and after con-
siderable debate was defeated the Legislators
claiming that they did not wish to establish
bad precedent by starting civil pension list.
Your correspondent this morning paid a
visit to this cottage and was shown into the
parlor.
While waiting for Mrs. Meikleham the
writer sat down in an old-fashioned, straight
backed chair and looked about the room. 1t
was not necessary to be told who lived in the
house. The name of Jefferson seemed to be
stamped upon everything in the room. Not
a speck of dust or dirt could be seen any
where. The windows were shaded with
white muslin curtains. In one corner, on a
block, stood bust of Andrew jackson. By
its side was an old-fashioned spInning-w
with ball of yarn in place nearly ready for
active operations. To the left was an old
fashioned safe, upon which rested bright
colored cushion. To the right was queer
looking table that looked to be over hun
dred years old. Its legs were carved from
mahogany. To anyone seeking the artistic
antique, this table would be very valuable.
The place was filed with little knick-knacks
and portraits of the different Jefferson an
cestors.
After few moments Mrs. Meikleham en-
tered the room. She advanced slowly, and
greeted the writer with pleasant smile. She
was born at Monticello, Va, the old home of
Thomas Jefferson, in 1914, and consequent
ly is in her seventy-frst year. Mrs. Meille-
ham was regarded by jefferson as his favorite
granddaughter She has large dark blue
eyes, high forehead, delicate, refined
mouth, and a chin that denotes decided force
of character.
'Twas IL years old when my grandfather
died." she said, "and l remember him very
well. During the last years of his life he was
out of public life, and devoted himself to his
family and friends. His love of country
was very strong. No man was ever turned
away from his door. Just few days before
Mr.. Jefferson died there were. over sixty PEG
pie visiting at Monticello. He seemed to
like it so. His heart reached out to all. Oh!
those were happy days.
Mrs. Meikleham paused, and tears stood
in her eyes. Continuing, she said sadly:
IT really believe that my grandfather was
eaten out of house and home.
"The most / cared about the refusal of
congress to grant me pension above the
mere need of the money was the slight it
cast upon the memory of my grandfather.
He devoted his life to his country, and when
he died he had saved nothing. Almost his
last words were: 81 leave my family to my
country.
81 have three children living with me here
and one son in New York. He is engaged
in the insurance business there, and has
quite large family of his own to look after.
My son, who is here with me, is in very poor
health. When left New York nine years
ago for Washington, it was with the idea that
this son might get some employment in the
departments but his health was so poor my
eldest daughter, Alice, had to take the place.
She has been in the patent office for eight
years. She is in very delicate health, too.
We are entirely dependent on her small sal
airy for support. My other daughter Elsora,
remains at home and takes care of her old
mother. She does all the homework. OF
course, should not like to have congress es-
tablished a bad precedent in giving me
little assistance, but it does seem strange
that granting pensions to so many, they
should draw the lines on me. do not wish
to criticise the gentleman who voted against
my bill. suppose they were actuated by
conscientious motives"
Mrs. Meikleham stopped frequently in her
narrative, overcome by emotion caused by
the revival of past and present circum
stances. She has an air of quiet dignity
about her that at once silence any thoughts
about mere mendicant. She was not ask
ing aims. She was seeking what she believed
hers by right.