3 - Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743, just east of Charlottesville, Virginia, at Shadwell.  The house was destroyed by fire in 1770, but there is a marker along the highway.  I visited with my niece Kambree in the summer 2014:

Jefferson's father oversaw the plantation of his cousin, an kept the Jefferson family there temporarily from 1746 to 1752.  I have not yet visited Tuckahoe Plantation.

In 1760, Jefferson began seven years of study at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.  While there, he lived in the building now known as the Sir Christopher Wren Building.  I have not visited this site.

In 1770, Jefferson began construction on a new home, Monticello.  When Shadwell was destroyed by fire later that year, he and his wife moved into the only part that was completed, the south pavilion, seen in the foreground of this photo from 2014:

Final construction of the main home would not be completed for another eight years.  This photo is from my first visit in 1976 when I was 8 years old:

I visited again with my partner John on President's Day weekend of 2008:

...and then again in the summer of 2014 with our niece Kambree:

In 1779, Jefferson was elected governor of Virginia and moved in to the Governor's Palace in Williamsburg.  I have not visited this site.

In 1780, after his reelection, the capital was moved to Richmond.  He rented a house for the one year that he lived there - I have been unable to determine the location of this rented house.

From 1784 to 1789, Jefferson served as minister to France.  While in Paris, Jefferson lived in a townhouse at the intersection of what is now the Rue de Berri and the Champs Elysées.  The Hôtel de Langeac was demolished in 1842.

Jefferson served as Secretary of State from 1789 to 1797.  While New York City was still the capital, he resided in a building at 57 Maiden Lane (the building no longer exists, but there is a plaque). 

I do not know the location where he resided after the capital moved to Philadelphia.  When Jefferson became Vice President, he opposed the administration and spent most of those four years at home in Monticello.

Jefferson served as president of the United States from 1801 to 1809 and lived in the White House.

Thomas Jefferson died at home on July 4, 1826, and was buried on the grounds at Monticello.  This photo from my 2008 visit shows the iron fence that protects Jefferson's tombstone from visitors...

...but this photo from my 1976 visit shows that even iron bars can't deter an eight year old presidential enthusiast:

The Jefferson Memorial was completed in 1943.  I have visited this site many times over the years and consider it one of the most beautiful areas of Washington DC.  That is why we chose it to be the backdrop for our marriage ceremony in 2012:

  

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