Thomas Jefferson was young once.

I know it's not always easy to think about, but the men we know as adults who helped found this country were young once. Paintings and portraits of middle-aged men with powdered hair or aged faces may put a distinct image of Washington, Madison, and Jefferson into our heads.

But remember: those portraits are typically showing "formal" dress, or done later in life.

When Madison was the primary author of our United States Constitution, he was in his thirties.

You read that right: Madison was born in 1751. The Constitution was presented in 1787. The man was still a few years shy of 40 at that point.

Washington was born in 1732. This means when he became our first president in April of 1789, he was 57. And I'm told on good authority, not only did he not wear wigs- his hair was auburn later in life, not gray.

And Jefferson.

There is so much out there WRITTEN by Thomas Jefferson. Almost 50,000 letters to and from him. Add to this his writings such as diary entries and account books- so much more.

No doubt, a lot of what was written was by a young Jefferson. And I've found a gem.

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George Washington, National Portrait Gallery, Washington D.C.

First, a snapshot of Jefferson through the years.

Let's start with this: how old Jefferson, born in April of 1743, was during select pivotal moments in American history, and in his life.

Let's be honest- the events I could add to this list is practically endless; so as mentioned- I'm dropping a few moments, just a few.

1757: Peter Jefferson, Thomas' father, passes away. (age 14)

1760: Thomas heads to Williamsburg to attend the College of William and Mary and 2 years later begins studying law under George Wythe. (age 17)

1770: He begins construction of Monticello. (about age 27)

1772: Martha Wayles Skelton becomes Mrs. Thomas Jefferson and before the year ends, daughter Martha is born. (ages 28-29)

1776: Thomas, on a committee of five with Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston, drafts the Declaration of Independence. (age 33)

1779: He becomes Governor of Virginia. (about age 36)

1790: Jefferson is our first United States Secretary of State (age 47)

1800: He pens a letter to Dr. Joseph Priestley sharing his wish to create a state university- expanding access to education. (age 56) (click here for the full detail on the creation of the University of Virginia)

1801-09: He serves as our third United States President. (ages 57-66)

1826: Jefferson dies on July 4th, the same day as John Adams, 50 years after the Declaration of Independence was adopted. (age 83)

To see a more detailed version of Thomas Jefferson's timeline, click here and open Monticello's website in a new tab.

Note: if I don't have a specific date to work from, I've given an approximate age knowing he was born in April.

Before he wrote about declaring independence, he wrote about declaring his love.

You know me by now: I love shining a light on the lesser-known moments. While he may have planned for his letters to be private, he must've known it was possible someone beyond the intended recipient may read them.

In fact, in letters to his friend John Page, young Thomas refers to his crush, Rebecca Burwell, as "Belinda," keeping her name a secret.

But Rebecca was more than a crush in young Thomas' mind. His goal: marriage.

And as I was looking at letters from October 7th, I found the gem previously mentioned. It's his letter to Page, sharing his nausea over his actions the evening prior, when he couldn't find the words he needed to express himself to "Belinda" (Rebecca).

At age 20, young Thomas Jefferson in Williamsburg, may or may not be what you imagined. He was a student of law attending subscription dances - including one at the Raleigh Tavern; a place that would become famous for the fight he joins in declaring independence.

Raleigh Tavern, reconstructed

The letter.

Written from Williamsburg, Virginia at age 20.

Click here to be directed to the source, Founders Archives. It includes all notes and citations. (note: I've broken one long paragraph into several for ease of reading)

One of my favorite bits isn't the part about how he stumbled on his words. No, it's his desperate pleas in the letter, asking his friend to head over to Williamsburg. He mentions God twice!

Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 7 October 1763

Dear Page

In the most melancholy fit that ever any poor soul was, I sit down to write to you. Last night, as merry as agreeable company and dancing with Belinda in the Apollo could make me, I never could have thought the succeeding sun would have seen me so wretched as I now am!

I was prepared to say a great deal: I had dressed up in my own mind, such thoughts as occurred to me, in as moving language as I knew how, and expected to have performed in a tolerably creditable manner. But, good God!

When I had an opportunity of venting them, a few broken sentences, uttered in great disorder, and interrupted with pauses of uncommon length, were the too visible marks of my strange confusion!

The whole confab I will tell you, word for word, if I can, when I see you, which God send may be soon.

Affairs at W. and M. are in the greatest confusion. Walker, M’Clurg and Wat Jones are expelled pro tempore, or, as Horrox softens it, rusticated for a month. Lewis Burwell, Warner Lewis, and one Thompson have fled to escape flagellation.

I should have excepted Warner Lewis, who came off of his own accord. Jack Walker leaves town on Monday. The court is now at hand, which I must attend constantly, so that unless you come to town, there is little probability of my meeting with you any where else.

For God’s sake come. I am, dear Page, Your sincere friend,

T. Jefferson

Closing calls to action:

Get one (or more!) of these books I recommend:

• Thomas Jefferson's Garden Book
• The Family Letters of Thomas Jefferson
• The Domestic Life of Thomas Jefferson

Read more of Jefferson's letters to John Page where Belinda is mentioned:

a miserable Christmas morning

a house she may visit

her name disguised even more!

and keep digging into the rabbit hole!

Book a tour.

If you visit Williamsburg, let me take you on a tour - we can even do one focused on Thomas Jefferson. Click here to book a call to set it up!

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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.

Interior of the Wren Chapel, William & Mary