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Interpreting a Primary Source Document
Thomas Jefferson's Letter, dated October 10, 1812, to Jeremiah Goodman,
overseer at Poplar Forest from 1811 to 1815 *
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October 10, 1812
A fall which I got from my horse a fortnight ago by the breaking
of a girth, & by which I have received considerable hurt
inwardly, will prevent my being with you by the middle of the month as
I had intended. The
external swelling is subsiding, but very slowly, so as to render the
time when I may venture to travel uncertain. In the mean time Chisolm
will proceed to do the plaistering of the house, or he will not finish
this season. We expect Reuben Perry to whom a summons was sent to
attend our court on Monday (the 12th.) with Jame Hubbard as a witness.
With him Chisolm will return, say in all next week.
In the mean time l00. bushels of lime must be got of Mr. Clarke
and a load of it brought home & put into the log house near the
dwelling house. About 200 bushels of very clear gritty sand will also be
wanting. The waggon had
better bring light return loads of this from Lynchburg as it carries
the wheat there. I do not
know whether the sand at Blackwater where the road crosses it is clean
& gritty. If it is it will be most convenient. Chisolm had better lodge in the large room below which should
be cleaned out for him. He can use some of my bedding, but for sheets
I think we must get some oznaburgs at Lynchburg & have a pair made
immediately. The meat
laid by for me must be used for him.
You may either have his dinner given him at his own room or
with you as you please. I do not wish to disturb your own convenience as to
that. Yourself and
Mr. Darnell will have to furnish him one hand to make his mortar &
attend on him. Be
so good as to do every thing needful to expedite him till I come,
which I hope may be not long after him. Accept my best wishes.
| Mr. Goodman |
Th. Jefferson |
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* The original letter is in the Historic Collection of the Corporation for
Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest. It may be used by teachers for
educational purposes in the Lesson Plan, but may not be reproduced otherwise
without permission of the Corporation.
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