Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-10

As a lover he was cautious. although
sentimental. At twenty. when he de-
clared his love to a young miss named
Belinda, he took the precaution to make
it understood that she must not con-
slider it an engagement, which would in
terfere with his studies and plans Tor
travel Yet he writes that he was
''wretched" when she married. Then ne
fell in love with Rebecca Burwell and
danced with her in the apollo room OF
the Raleigh in WILLIAMSBURG He wrote
TO a friend about marrying her. lie
named his river boat for her, but 1t is
said that she forsook him for another
before it was put into commission She
STATE treasurer of Virginia, and her
daughter married John Marshall. Chief
Justice of the United States. Jenerson
also admired Patsy cambridge, sister OF
Martha Washington. Then he got 10
PLAYING duets with Martha SHELTON. the
widowed daughter of John Wayles. who
owned a fine colonial home in Williams
burg and a dozen plantations He court
ed her for two or three years until Two
other rivals appeared In the field and at
his suggestion they drew lots to decide
which should be the first to propose.
Jefferson won the draw as well as the
rich widow. He married her New year
day. 1872, and set down every item OF ms
which shows that after giving the
preacher E5 he borrowed 20 shillings OF
this fec. He also made the mistake or
entering her in the license bond as a
spinster instead of widow. He was
twenty-efght when they married, while
she was twenty-three and chiidless. They
drove in two-horse chaise over nun
dred miles through a blizzard to Month
cello, which was then half built, and
year later her father died. leaving them
40 600 acres, including the Natural Bridge
of Virginia, and 1875 slaves.
*
She was beautiful and, like him, was
tail. auburn haired. a musician and
student of classical literature. They had
six children, all girls. four Of whom died
in infancy. Mrs Jefferson died less than
eleven years after their marriage and
while he was a member of Congress. on
her deathbed he promised her never 70
remarry, which promise he kept For six
years before her death she was in failing
health, and twice during that time he re-
fused foreign appointments on her ac-
count For four months prior to her
death he was with her constantly, and
il is said that he was insensible for sew
eral hours after she had breathed her last
He was both father and mother
to their little daughters after they be-
came motherless and he was never too
busy to consider their every need and
every whim.
Some of the dinners arranged for the
celebration next Wednesday night Of the
birthday of the sage of Monticello have
been criticised as too luxurious to be
consistent with "Jeffersonian simplicity.
AS a matter Of fact, jefferson at Mon
ticello lived quite as elegantly as Wash
ington did at Mount Vernon. The Duke d.
Ia Kouchefoucauld-L iancourt, who once
spent a month there. wrote that Month
cello rs infinitely superior to all other
hOIlSpS America nOlnf
convenience. The estate once boasted
of 141 slaves. and in his official resi-
dences also he lived on lavish scale In
Paris, while he was minister, he lived
far beyond his salary to maintain the
dignity of his country. and was looked
upon as an elegant gentleman as well as
a scholar and courtier
He brought French chef and butler
back from Paris with him. and his din
ners in New York and Philadelphia while