A Letter from Anne Cary Randolph: Tulips at Monticello, April 15, 1808

Looking at this day in history: April 15th.

Some of you know I love seeing what happened 'on this day in history' - so much so I have a full category dedicated to it! But one thing I love just as much- seeing letters written throughout our shared American history.

Today, I opened The Family Letters of Thomas Jefferson, edited by Edwin Morris Betts and James Adam Bear, Jr. (there's your citation and further referred to as the Family Letters book!). It was a gift from my dear friend and fellow history-lover Krista, owner of The Wordsmith Mobile Bookshop.

In the tidewater region of Virginia, I experience something different than when I lived up in Michigan. Because of being further south, the tulips (and spring as a whole!) arrive earlier.

The spring blossoms here in Colonial Williamsburg have been amazing, and I was inspired when I found an April 15th letter to Jefferson from his grand-daughter.

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Tulips in Colonial Williamsburg, April 2025

A few words written by a quill can give massive insight into daily life.

Anne Cary Randolph was Thomas Jefferson's eldest grand-child. She was born to his eldest, Martha Jefferson Randolph and her husband Thomas Mann Randolph. Anne clearly shared Jefferson's love of the gardens at Monticello and took their successes seriously.

Let's get to the letter.

Transcribed as written in the Family Letters book (so excuse errors!). However, I have added breaks for easier reading; this letter shows as one super-long paragraph:

"Edgehill April 15 1808

I should certainly have answered My Dear Grand Papas letter by the last post, but I was very busy preparing to go to Evelinas wedding which I declined afterwards, on hearing that it was not to be untill the 16. of this month.

I have been twice to Monticello to see the sesamum and governor Lewis's pea planted. The hyacinth's were in bloom, they are superb ones. The Tulips are all budding.

Neither the hyancinths nor Tulips grow as regularly this spring as they did the Last. Wormley in taking them up left some small roots in the ground which have come up about in the bed and not in the rows with the others.

The Strawberries Artichokes Salsafie Asparagus and Golden willow all look very well. Of the Alpine Straw berries that Davy brought, are flourishing. But I am afraid the others are entirely dead.

All the children are well and send their Love to you. Adieu My Dear, Dear Grand Papa. Your most affectionate Grand Daughter. ACR"

Tulips in Colonial Williamsburg, open to public view.

Breaking down the letter: the massive insight.

Finding commonalities with people from the past.

Weddings: Ok, let's be honest, we've all changed our minds at the last minute for entering into a social situation. No? Well, I've been known to do it! Some of you reading may chuckle.

As soon as I read the words, I was struck by how relatable they were. In 1808, a young woman decided, for whatever reason, she couldn't attend a wedding. She gives no reason outside the fact it was one day later than she had planned for.

The bottom line: the humanity of Anne's words, along with the simplicity of them, show us the frankness of how families spoke to each other in the past. It also demonstrates that the daily decisions they made are not so different than today.

Tulips: Anne's update to her "Grand Papa" about the tulips, as well as the hyacinths, strawberries, asparagus etc. make her letter approachable. Not just to historians, but to anyone who reads it.

You don't have to be an academic or Jefferson scholar to engage with this bit of 18th century history. Spring is something we all understand. On April 15th, it's common for me to stop and take a photo of or tell someone about the beautiful blooms around me.

Daily life.

Let's be honest, April 15th, like every other date on the calendar, has some "big" event that happened. Or several:

• In 1865 on April 15th, President Abraham Lincoln died at 7:22 a.m.
• In 1912, the Titanic sank.
• In 2013, two bombs went off at the Boston Marathon.

And in 1808 Thomas Jefferson was away from Monticello because he was busy serving as our third United States President.

Letters like this must've been a treasure to a man who clearly valued his family, his home, and of course: his gardens.

None of the major events of April 15th in history lessen the importance of remembering that all of the people who lived our shared American history were human. Emotions, decisions, and the daily life they enjoyed all offer us insight into the past.

And the fact I want to take time to learn about the less "memorable" moments in history doesn't lessen the seriousness with which I remember the major events.

Embrace it all.

Writing this post at Frothy Moon on Jamestown Road, book nearby.

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There is a huge practical disclaimer to the content on this blog, which is my way of sharing my excitement and basically journaling online.

1) I am not a historian nor an expert. I will let you know I’m relaying the information as I understand and interpret it. The employees of Colonial Williamsburg base their presentations, work, and responses on historical documents and mainly primary sources.

2) I will update for accuracy as history is constant learning. If you have a question about accuracy, please ask me! I will get the answer from the best source I can find.

3) Photo credit to me, Daphne Reznik, for all photos in this post, unless otherwise credited! All photos are personal photos taken in public access locations or with specific permission.