A Slave s Memory of Mr. Jefferson

Mr Jefferson was a tall strait-bodied man as ever you see, right square-shouldered: nary man in this town walked so straight as my old master: neat a built man as ever was seen in Vaginny, I reckon or any place—a straightup man: long face, high nose—.

Old master was never seen to come out before breakfast—about 8 o’clock. If it was warm weather he would’nt ride out till evening: studied upstars till bell ring for dinner. When writing he had a copyin machine: while he was a-writin he would’nt suffer nobody to come in his room: had a dumb-waiter: When he wanted anything he had nothing to do but turn a crank & the dumb-waiter would bring him water or fruit on a plate or anything he wanted. Old master had abundance of books: sometimes would have twenty of ’em down on the floor at once: read fust one, then tother. Isaac has often wondered how old master came to have such a mighty head: read so many of them books: & when they go to him to ax him anything, he go right straight to the book & tell you all about it. He talked French & Italian.—

Mr Jefferson had a clock in his kitchen at Monticello; never went into the kitchen except to wind up the clock. He never would have less than eight covers at dinner—if nobody at table but himself: had from eight to thirty two covers for dinner: plenty of wine, best old Antigua rum & cider: very fond of wine & water. Isaac never heard of his being disguised in drink. He kept three fiddles: played in the arternoons Sc sometimes arter supper. This was in his early time: When he begin to git so old he did’nt play: kept a spinnet made mostly in shape of a harpsichord: his daughter played on it. Mr Fauble a Frenchman that lived at Mr Walker’s —a music-man used to come to Monticello & tune it. There was a forte piano & a guitar there: never seed anybody play on them but the French people. Isaac never could git acquainted with them: could hardly larn their names. Mr Jefferson always singing when ridin or walkin: hardly see him anywhar out doors but what he was a-singin: had a fine clear voice, sung minnits (minuets) & sich: fiddled in the parlor. Old master very kind to servants.

—From Memoirs of a Monticello Slave: As Dictated to Charles Campbell in the 1840’ by Isaac, one of Thomas Jefferson’s Slaves

COPYRIGHT © 1951 BY THE UNIVERSITY Ot VIRGINIA