Thomas Jefferson was born in Virginia in 1743. His father was well-to-do, so the future president was afforded an excellent education. Like Adams, Jefferson had an acute intellect and unquenchable thirst for learning. He graduated from William and Mary College in 1762 and became a lawyer in 1767. His remarkable writing skills and sharp legal mind continues to impress.
Jefferson married his wife, Martha, in 1772; the couple went on to have six children. Sadly, Martha died ten years into the marriage while giving birth. Only two of Jefferson’s children with Martha lived long enough to see adulthood. It is believed that he had other children with one of his slaves, Sally Hemings.
Jefferson’s contribution to freedom from British rule is monumental. In fact, he is the individual who wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence. Interestingly, Jefferson did not appear to be a fervent supporter of slavery, and in his earlier years, he even believed the practice should not expand into new territories. Still, his ownership of slaves, and negation to set the people free even upon his death, continues to perplex many minds.
Jefferson served as a delegate in the First and Second Continental Congress. He was appointed Secretary of State by President Washington but later left the position. Jefferson and the Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, were at odds with one another concerning foreign policy. At the same time, they differed on the degree of strength the federal government should possess. Hamilton, like Adams, was a Federalist; these men favored a stronger central power. Jefferson was a Democrat-Republican who supported limited government. It is believed that Jefferson thought President Washington was more inclined to Hamilton’s view, so he resigned.
Jefferson served as vice president under John Adams. Although both men had been friends earlier on, they came to disagree about pivotal issues and grew apart. Jefferson ran against Adams in the next election and won; subsequently, he became the third president of the United States. An epic purchase he made during his administration was the Louisiana territory. In 1803, he bought the area from France for $15,000,000.
Jefferson served two presidential terms and then left political life. He lived out his remaining days in the lavish home his slaves built called Monticello (Monticello means small mountain). During Jefferson’s older years, he accrued a great deal of debt.
Adams and Jefferson rekindled their friendship later on in life. The reunification, though only my mail, brought much joy to both men. And the quirk of fate that some of us might have forgotten? Both men died on July 4, 1826.
Adams and Jefferson were joined in life by a unified cause, and that cause was freedom. At the same time, they were united in death by the celebration of independence. The fact that both Founding Fathers died exactly 50 years following the approval of the Declaration of Independence is extraordinary. We can only imagine the mystical forces at hand that made this remarkable event possible.
