Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson was born October 19, 1748 in Charles City County, Virginia. Her father, John Wayles, had become very wealthy as a slave trader. His estate was one of the biggest and most productive in Virginia at the time (Harris, 2011). It seemed unlikely that Thomas Jefferson would marry someone of such high class as Martha Wayles. Although Thomas Jefferson, had become wealthy after his father passed away leaving him 3,700 acres of land. He was from much more humble beginnings than Martha. To his good fortune though he would also inherit more land, slaves, livestock and horses when he turned 21. However, what Jefferson treasured most was his father's library. Jefferson went off to get an education at the College of William and Mary and to become a gentleman. Jefferson studied hard and managed to enjoy himself socializing as well at the local tavern. By the time he met Martha he was a distinguished lawyer, who had overcome his shy tendencies (Beeman, 2009). Martha at age 22, was a lovely widow who shared Jefferson's love of music, horses, and books. They quickly fell in love and were married New Year's Day in 1772 on her family's plantation. Jefferson's wedding gift to Martha was a forte piano that he had purchased in Europe (Roberts, 2004).
Jefferson had been preparing his estate, Monticello, for several weeks for his new bride. They were immensely happy. They enjoyed horseback riding together everyday as well as gardening. The grounds on their estate were some on the most beautiful in all of Virginia. Martha was extremely skilled. Despite their great wealth she made her own candles and soaps. She also enjoyed brewing beer. The first year of their marriage Martha brewed enough beer for over 1,700 twelve ounce servings, something quite remarkable for her time (Harris, 2011).
Their first child Patsy was born in September. Martha became very weak as a result of the pregnancy and took a long time to regain her strength. Jefferson was completely devoted to her and remained by her side rather than participating in politics at the time. As Martha recovered he returned to political life supporting the cause of the revolution. When Jefferson was at Monticello, the family enjoyed reading, playing with their adorable daughter, and spending time together in the garden (Roberts, 2004).
Martha had a second daughter, Jane, in 1774. Thomas had great difficulty being away from his family even when he was selected to draft the Declaration of Independence (Harris, 2011). Jefferson arrived home from Philadelphia just in time to bury his daughter Jane. Martha went to stay with her sister for a short time. However, Jefferson longed to be with his family, so he took Martha and their daughter, Patsy, to Philadelphia along with many servants. Congress appointed Thomas Jefferson to join Ben Franklin in France, but Jefferson turned down the offer (Harris, 2011). Martha had suffered greatly from depression while Jefferson was away before and he would not take another position which would likely cause them to be apart for months or years. When they lost their third child, Thomas longed for a break from politics and the familiarity of home. Life was becoming increasingly dangerous for Martha as the fighting moved through Virginia. In 1781, Martha barely escaped British soldiers as they marched on Richmond. And then again in June the family had to leave Monticello as the enemy advanced (Roberts, 2004). After another child was borne the following summer Martha could not recover. Jefferson spent months at her bedside and on September 6, 1782, he was with his wife when she died.
Interestingly, Thomas Jefferson was an abolitionist, but inherited 169 slaves from his father in-law's death. He owned 34 adult slaves at the time including those he inherited from his father and from his marriage to Martha. Virginia law only allowed slaves to be legally freed through their owner's will. Thus, Jefferson remained a slave owner until his death (Harris, 2011).
Martha Jefferson was a unique first lady because she had been dead almost twenty years before her husband Thomas Jefferson became president in 1801. Many people believe that had Martha lived, Jefferson may have never become President because of his deep devotion to her and desire to be by her side (Roberts, 2004). Martha Jefferson is remembered for the deep love that her husband had for her and the tremendous happiness they shared during their marriage. Having loved deeply, Jefferson went on to pursue his political career after Martha's death. Martha Jefferson's daughter, Martha Jefferson Randolph, gave birth to the first child in the White House.
Jefferson had been preparing his estate, Monticello, for several weeks for his new bride. They were immensely happy. They enjoyed horseback riding together everyday as well as gardening. The grounds on their estate were some on the most beautiful in all of Virginia. Martha was extremely skilled. Despite their great wealth she made her own candles and soaps. She also enjoyed brewing beer. The first year of their marriage Martha brewed enough beer for over 1,700 twelve ounce servings, something quite remarkable for her time (Harris, 2011).
Their first child Patsy was born in September. Martha became very weak as a result of the pregnancy and took a long time to regain her strength. Jefferson was completely devoted to her and remained by her side rather than participating in politics at the time. As Martha recovered he returned to political life supporting the cause of the revolution. When Jefferson was at Monticello, the family enjoyed reading, playing with their adorable daughter, and spending time together in the garden (Roberts, 2004).
Martha had a second daughter, Jane, in 1774. Thomas had great difficulty being away from his family even when he was selected to draft the Declaration of Independence (Harris, 2011). Jefferson arrived home from Philadelphia just in time to bury his daughter Jane. Martha went to stay with her sister for a short time. However, Jefferson longed to be with his family, so he took Martha and their daughter, Patsy, to Philadelphia along with many servants. Congress appointed Thomas Jefferson to join Ben Franklin in France, but Jefferson turned down the offer (Harris, 2011). Martha had suffered greatly from depression while Jefferson was away before and he would not take another position which would likely cause them to be apart for months or years. When they lost their third child, Thomas longed for a break from politics and the familiarity of home. Life was becoming increasingly dangerous for Martha as the fighting moved through Virginia. In 1781, Martha barely escaped British soldiers as they marched on Richmond. And then again in June the family had to leave Monticello as the enemy advanced (Roberts, 2004). After another child was borne the following summer Martha could not recover. Jefferson spent months at her bedside and on September 6, 1782, he was with his wife when she died.
Interestingly, Thomas Jefferson was an abolitionist, but inherited 169 slaves from his father in-law's death. He owned 34 adult slaves at the time including those he inherited from his father and from his marriage to Martha. Virginia law only allowed slaves to be legally freed through their owner's will. Thus, Jefferson remained a slave owner until his death (Harris, 2011).
Martha Jefferson was a unique first lady because she had been dead almost twenty years before her husband Thomas Jefferson became president in 1801. Many people believe that had Martha lived, Jefferson may have never become President because of his deep devotion to her and desire to be by her side (Roberts, 2004). Martha Jefferson is remembered for the deep love that her husband had for her and the tremendous happiness they shared during their marriage. Having loved deeply, Jefferson went on to pursue his political career after Martha's death. Martha Jefferson's daughter, Martha Jefferson Randolph, gave birth to the first child in the White House.