On the Minds of 18th Century Americans July 20th: Direct Quotes from the Washingtons, Jefferson and More.

What you'll see in this article about five early Americans.

The National Archives' website has a fantastic resource I click to often: the Founders' Archives. Today I'm pulling direct quotes from George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abigail Adams, Martha Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette. All written on (or near) July 20th in another approach to "this day in history."

Yes, I'm on a bit of a rabbit hole and a run after my last post (read it here). And since this whole post is made up of words from history- I won't be closing with them!

However, I will end this article with recommendations to learn more both in person and online.

Author's note: I've created some breaks in paragraphs to make the quotes easier to read (especially for those of you using a smaller screen!) but haven't altered any of the words.

Disclaimer: As a blogger, I use affiliate links sometimes! I may receive commission from purchases I share; it does not change your price but sometimes you might get a discount.

Street view in Colonial Williamsburg

Colonel Washington gave Governor Sharpe the benefit of the doubt.

Before the Revolution, George Washington held a commanding position FOR the British. After all, we were British colonies. During the Seven Years' War, also known as the French and Indian War, Washington found out deserters had taken cover in Maryland. In classic Washington style, he writes the Governor knowing that of course Sharpe wouldn't have intentionally allowed this.

Here is the opening of the correspondence from July 20th, 1757. Click here to read the letter in full, with notes and citations.

To Horatio Sharpe

[Fort Loudoun] July 20th 1757.To Governor Sharpe.

Sir,

I have undoubted intelligence that many Deserters from the Virginia Regiment are gone to, and are harboured and protected in several counties of your province, especially Baltimore-county, under the specious pretext of their unjust detention, after the expiration of the time, which, the Deserters (I learn) pretend was limited when they enlisted.

And some in authority, either from an ill-placed compassion, or from that spirit of opposition to the service, which is too prevalent thro’ Continent, have not only countenanced those Deserters, but made use of your Excellencys name for that purpose; as you may observe by the enclosed, (a copy of the original is in my possession.)1

Thomas Jefferson was sharing the monetary value of some books in 1795.

Jefferson LOVED books. He owned many, he inherited many, and ultimately sold many. In this short letter from 1795, he's discussing to monetary value of a few books he'd purchased.

With American independence came some uncertainty, inflation, and truly a difficult situation for determining the value of currency in looking back to when we were under British rule. That makes this bit interesting in my opinion.

To read the letter in full with notes, click here.

From Thomas Jefferson to Archibald Stuart, 20 July 1795

To Archibald Stuart

Monticello July 20. 95.Dear Sir

I have recieved your favor of the 9th. It happened fortunately that I had preserved the original rough paper on which I had estimated the books separately which I had to dispose of.

On that I find that the Modern entries, Burrows, Peere Williams, Salkeld and Strange were estimated at fifty dollars and twenty two cents. The same books cost me in England £18–5. sterling which is 81.D. 11c. besides the charges of importation. So that your brother I hope will have room to be content with his purchase.

Abigail Adams supported Elbridge Gerry to represent her views politically.

That's what I'm taking from this letter! At least in 1781 she did. Whether that was still the case later, and/or what happened to Mr. Gerry is another rabbit hole to wander down.

In the meantime, I'm sharing this excerpt because 1) misconceptions that early American women were not active politically and 2) both the Adams' were very vocal and opinionated- making for a fascinating peek into their lives.

Read the letter in full with notes and citations by clicking here.

Abigail Adams to Elbridge Gerry

Braintree july 20. 17811

Sir

When I looked for your Name among those who form the Representative Body of the people this year I could not find it. I sought for it with the Senate, but was still more dissapointed.

I however had the pleasure of finding it amongst the delegates of this Commonwealth to Congress, where I flatter myself you will still do us Honour which posterity will gratefully acknowledge; and the virtuous few now confess.

But as you are no worshiper of the rising Sun, or Adulator at the shrine of power, you must expect with others, who possess an Independant Spirit, to be viewed in the shade, to be eyed askance, to be malign’ed and to have your Good evil spoken of.

But let not this Sir discourage you in the arduous Buisness.

On July 19th, Martha Washington complimented Abigail Adams on her son.

Martha Washington's writings aren't as abundant (at least not easily accessible, but I'm early on with this little blogging journey so hang tight). But I did find this on Founders' Archives... a short letter to Abigail Adams which you can read in full here.

If you want more... I wrote a whole blog post on Abigail, inspired by My Dear Madam, a performance by the incredibly talented Katharine Pittman of Colonial Williamsburg.

Martha Washington to Abigail Adams

Philadelphia July the 19th 1794

My Dear Madam—

Mr Adams (your son) presented me with your obliging favor of June the 20th. and I pray you to accept my thanks for your kind remembrance of me; and the assurance of the pleasure I felt at hearing that you had quite recovered your health again.—

That parental feelings should be put to the test at a seperation (perhaps for years) from a dutyful, and meritorious son, is not to be wondered at; but as there is no trial bereft of consolation, so in the one before you, you have a flattering vẽw of his future welfare

Katharine Pittman as Martha Washington on stage

A few months before the Battle of Yorktown, Lafayette was showing success in Virginia.

If you aren't already familiar with Major General Lafayette, please open a new tab and learn a little more by clicking here.

We often focus on the Battle of Yorktown but so many battles and military situations preceded it. Take a peek into what was happening the summer of 1781 with this excerpt of a letter from Lafayette to Washington about Cornwallis' retreat. You can read the letter in full with notes and citations, by clicking here.

To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 20 July 1781

private

Malvan Hill July 20h 1781

My dear General

This letter is not By Any Means directed to the Commander in chief, But to My Most Intimate and Confidential friend—I will lay Before you My Circumstances and My wishes—Certain I am You will do whatever You Can for me that is Consistent with Your public duty.

When I went to the Southward You know I Had Some private objections—But I Became Sensible of the Necessity there was for the detachement to go, and I know that Had I Returned there was no Body that Could lead them on Against their Inclination—

My Entering this State was Happily Marked By a Service to the Capital—Virginia Became the Grand object of the Ennemy as it was the point to Which the Ministry tended—

I Had the Honor to Command an Army and oppose Lord Cornwallis. When Incomparably Inferior to Him, fortune was pleased to preserve us—When Equal in Numbers tho’ not in the Kind of troops, we Have also Been pretty Lucky—

Cornwallis Had the disgrace of a Retreat, and this State Being Recovered, Governement properly Reestablished, the Ennemy are under the protection of their works at Portsmouth.

Mark Schneider portraying Major General Lafayette

Action items and recommendations.

I hope you've enjoyed reading direct quotes from the Washingtons, Jefferson, First Lady Abigail Adams and the Marquis de Lafayette in this blog post.

If you have, I'm offering up some recommendations to dig deeper on each: two "in-person" options and two online options. But let's be honest, there are lots of places to visit- I'm just dropping a limited list!

The obvious are their homes/estates, which I've listed first. Then I've added one for each you may not know about - a way to find a little "hidden" or lesser known history!

George Washington

In person:

1. Mount Vernon, the Washingtons' home in northern Virginia.
2. Old North Church in Boston Massachusetts, where the bust of Washington that Lafayette claimed looks most like him resides.

At home:

1. Library of Congress' collection of the Washington papers.
2. Own an abridged version of Washington's diaries by clicking here and grabbing a book by Dorothy Twohig.

Thomas Jefferson

In person:

1. Monticello, Jefferson's home in Charlottesville Virginia, west of Richmond.
2. The Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, credited to Jefferson. You'll find the opportunity to learn quite a bit about him, as well as view his bust created by Houdon. (as well as busts of Washington and Lafayette by Houdon!)

At home:

1. Jefferson's rough draft of the Declaration of Independence, which includes his anti-slavery clause.
2. Thomas Jefferson's Garden Book: yes, compiled writing of Jefferson - all sharing his experiments, philosophies, and passion for gardens. A copy is sitting on my coffee table right now.

Abigail Adams

In person:

1. Old House at Peace Field, in Quincy Massachusetts where the Adams' lived from 1788 forward.
2. Abigail Adams' Birthplace in Weymouth Massachusetts.

At home:

1. Massachusetts Historical Society's digital archive of the Adams' letters.
2. My Dearest Friend: Letters of Abigail and John Adams- if you want them on-hand at home!

Martha Washington

In person:

1. Mount Vernon applies to Martha too!
2. St. Peters Church in New Kent Virginia approximately 30 miles from Colonial Williamsburg. Even if you don't make it while the church is open, wandering the grounds is worth a stop for any lover of 18th century history and Martha Dandridge Custis Washington.

At home:

1. Mount Vernon's online resources about Martha from letters to biographical information.
2. The Papers of Martha Washington- in a book! According to Mount Vernon's website, this is "the first scholarly edition of Martha Washington’s correspondence, spanning her entire life..."

Marquis de Lafayette

In person:

1. Picpus Cemetery in Paris to see the Tomb of Lafayette flies an American flag signifying his patriotism to the United States and dual citizenship.
2. Lafayette College in Easton Pennsylvania where a collection of the Marquis' letters are available for viewing- contact them to schedule it!

At home:

1. Cornell University's digitized collection of Lafayette family archives, including portraits and letters.
2. The Letters of the Founders book which has transcribed letters between Lafayette and Washington.

Have you dug deeper?

All can be found online at the Founders' Archives (some more limited than others.) You can also visit the Historic Triangle, starting at Colonial Williamsburg!

Have you visited any of the places I've listed for each of this post's early Americans? How about other sites where you've learned more about the Washingtons, Thomas Jefferson, Abigail Adams or the Marquis?

Tell us in the comments or subscribe to the blog using the form on this page and connect with me by email- I'd love to know!

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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.