Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson, the third of eight children, was born on April 13, 1743 in Shadwell, Virginia. His father was Peter Jefferson, who was a Welsh descent, was a planter and surveyor for sometime, and his mother was Jane Randolph. Peter and Jane married in 1739. In 1745, his family moved to Tuckahoe and lived there for seven years before they returned to their home after his father was appointed to the colonelcy of the county. Peter Jefferson died in 1757 and the Jefferson estate was divided between Peter’s two sons Thomas and Randolph. Thomas inherited approximately 5,000 acres of land and between 20 and 40 slaves.
Jefferson began his his childhood education at Tuckahoe along with the Randolph children. In 1752, Jefferson began attending a local school run by a Scottish Presbyterian minister. At the age of nine, Jefferson began studying Latin, Greek, and French; he learned to ride horses, and began to appreciate the study of nature. He studied under Reverend James Maury, where he studied history and science. At age 16, he enrolled at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, and studied with George Wythe. He began to study mathematics, metaphysics, and philosophy under William Small. Jefferson graduated in 1762, completing his studies in only two years. He began practicing law and was admitted to the Virginia Bar in 1767. Between 1768 and 1773, he handled a few cases and established himself as a respected lawyer.
Jefferson married Martha Wayles Skelton, a 23 year old widow, on January 1, 1772. Martha was a frequent hostess for Jefferson and managed the household. They had a happy marriage. She read, did fine needle work, and enjoyed playing the piano while Jefferson played the violin. During the ten years of their marriage, they had six children together. After her father John Wayles died in 1773, Martha and her husband Jefferson inherited his 135 slaves, 11,000 acres, and the debts of his estate. This took Jefferson years to pay off, which contributed to