| Birth: | Oct. 30, 1748
Charles City County
Virginia, USA | | Death: | Sep. 6, 1782
Charlottesville
Charlottesville City
Virginia, USA | 
Wife of Thomas Jefferson. The child of wealthy plantation owners John and Martha (Epps) Wayles, little is known of her early years, save that she was attractive, well-read, and an accomplished pianist. She married Bathurst Skelton in November, 1766, and had one son (who died in 1771) by him; Skelton died in an accident in September, 1768, leaving Patty a rich widow. Sometime in 1770, probably in Williamsburg, she met a rather shy attorney and scholar named Thomas Jefferson, who was then serving in the House of Burgesses. The couple married on New Years Day, 1772, at Mr. Wayles' home, and set-off for Jefferson's new house at Monticello in a major snowstorm. By all accounts, the Jefferson's were happy, and devoted to each other, though Jefferson burned all their letters after her death. Patty's health was never very good, and it was further compromised by having five daughters and a son in 10 years. (Only the daughters Patsy and Polly survived to adulthood). Patty died of the lingering effects of her final childbirth, leaving Jefferson completely prostrated for several weeks. According to legend, Patty, on her deathbed, extracted a promise from Jefferson that he would never remarry; whatever the truth of the story, he never did. (bio by: Bob Hufford)
Search Amazon for Martha Jefferson | | | Burial:
Monticello, Jefferson Historic Site
Charlottesville
Charlottesville City
Virginia, USA |
Maintained by: Find A Grave
Record added: Aug 02, 2002
Find A Grave Memorial# 6654871 |
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