Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 July 1876 — Jefferson's Marriage. [ARTICLE]

Jefferson's Marriage.

The affair wan quite a little comedy in some aspect*, and ended, as all comedies should, with everybody made happy. “Belinda” had lieen married many years, and her old admirer was approaching thirty, when he met with a young lady qf twentytffo who produced a atrqiu Impression upon him. She was a little above the medium height, slender, but elegantly formed. A fair complexion, with a delicate lint of the rose, large hazel eyes, full of life and feeling, and luxuriant hair of a rich soft auburn, formed a combination of attractions which was eminent* ly calculated to move the heart of a youthnil bachelor. In addition to all this the lady was admirably graceful j she rode, danced and moved with elegant ease, and sang and played on the harpsichord very sweetly. Add still to these accomplishments the possession of excellent good sense, very considerable cultivation, a warm heart, and a considerable fortune, and it will not be difficult to understand how the youthful Mr. Jefferson came to visit very frequently at the lady’s residence in the county of Charles City. It was called “The Forest,” and the name of the lady was Mrs. Mary Skelton. She was a daughter of John Way les, an eminent lawyer, and had married, in her seventeenth year, Mr. Bathurst Skelton, who, dying in 1768, left his young wife at nineteen. As the three years of mourning began to expire the beautiful young lady found herself besieged at “The Forest" by numerous visitors. Of these three were favorites with the fair Mrs. Skelton, of whom Mr. Thomas Jefferson, was one. The tradition runs that the pretensions of the rivals were decided either by the musical accomplishments of the young counselor or by the fears of his opponents. The tale is differently related. One version is that the two unfortunate gentlemen encountered each other on Mrs. Skelton's door-step, but hearing Jefferson’s violin and voice accompanying the lady in a pathetic song, gave up the contest thenceforth and retired with-. out entering, convinced that the affair was beyond their control. The other story is that all three met at the door, and agreed that they would take their turns. Jefferson entered first, and the tones of the lady in singing with her companion deprived the listeners of all hope. However this may be,;it is certain that the beautiful widow consented to become Mrs. Jefferson; and on the Ist day of January, 1772, there was a great festival at “ The Forest.’ - Friends and Kindred assembled from far and near; there was frolicking and dancing after the abundant old fashion; and we find from the bridegroom’s note-book that the servants and fiddlers received fees from his especial pocket. It snowed without, but within all was mirth and enjoyment, in the light and warmth of the great log fires, roaring, in honor of the occasion. Soon after the performance of the ceremony, the bridegroom and his bride set out in their carriage for “ Monticello,” where Jefferson had commenced building in 1769, just before the destruction by fire of his patrimonial house of “ Shadwell.” The journey was not to end without adventures. As they advanced toward the mountains, the snow increased in depth, and finally they were compelled to leave tlie carriage and proceed upon their way on horseback. Stopping to rest at “Blenheim,” the seat of Col. Carter, where they found, however, no one but an overseer, they left it at sunset, resolutely bent upon reaching Monticello that night. It was eight miles distant, and the road, which was rather a mountain bridle-path than an honest highway, was encumbered with snow three feet deep. We may fancy the sensation of the newly-wedded bride at the chill appearance of the desolate landscape as she passed along through the snow; but she was a woman of courage and good sense, and did not care for inconvenience. It was late when they arrived, and a cheerless reception awaited them—or rather, there was no reception at all. The fires were all out, the servants had all gone to bed, and the place was as dark and silent as the grave. Conducting his wife to the little pavilion, which was the only part of the house habitable at the time, Jefferson proceeded to kindle a fire and do the honors. On a shelf behind some books part of a bottle of wine was discovered; and this formed the supper of the bridegroom and the bride. Far from being annoyed or discomfited by their reception, however, it only served for a topic of jest and laughter. The young lady was as light-hearted as a-bird, and sent her clear voice ringing through the dreary little pavilion as gaily as she had ever done in the cheerful drawing-room of “ The Forest;” and thus the long hours of the winter night fled away like minutes, winged with laughter, merriment and song.— Harper'i Magazine for July.