A Thomas Jefferson Christmas
Because he was a prolific letter-writer, there is a wealth of information describing Christmases celebrated by Thomas Jefferson. This information reflects both the time Jefferson spent as president in the White House and at his famous Virginia home, Monticello.
In the mid-18th Century Christmas was considered a normal workday, but Jefferson wrote that he always considered the day as a time of “merriment” and “the day of greatest mirth and jollity.” He wrote of his home in Monticello as a place where friends and family got together to celebrate Christmas. Jefferson's favorite Christmas song was “Adeste Fideles” (better known as “Oh Come All Ye Faithful”).
Jefferson courted and then married Martha Wayles Jefferson, a widow, a week after Christmas on New Year’s Day in 1772. Although they had six children (five daughters and a son), only the daughters Maria and Martha lived past early childhood. After only 10 years of marriage, Jefferson became a widower following the death of his wife, most probably from complications giving birth to daughter, Lucy (who died two years after her mother). By the time Jefferson became president almost 20 years later, his Christmas were brightened by visits from his grandchildren.
As president in 1805, Jefferson celebrated Christmas with six of his grandchildren and 100 of their friends. Invitations were sent out by Secretary of State James Madison’s wife, Dolley, who acted as official hostess. Jefferson played the violin for the dancing children. Christmas celebrations at the Jefferson White House were festive affairs where delicacies and local American foods were served. Joyful Christmas partying continued at Monticello in 1809 following the end of the Jefferson presidency earlier that year. Celebrations at Jefferson’s beautiful home included the serving of a Christmas favorite, mince pies.
Although he was a slave owner, Jefferson allowed his slaves to have a Christmas holiday respite for a few days each year. With everyday responsibilities set aside, Jefferson allowed his slaves to travel to and from the Jefferson mansion to visit friends and relatives. For those staying at Monticello for the holiday, slaves were able to enjoy fresh meat instead of the usual cornmeal and pork.
In the mid-18th Century Christmas was considered a normal workday, but Jefferson wrote that he always considered the day as a time of “merriment” and “the day of greatest mirth and jollity.” He wrote of his home in Monticello as a place where friends and family got together to celebrate Christmas. Jefferson's favorite Christmas song was “Adeste Fideles” (better known as “Oh Come All Ye Faithful”).
Jefferson courted and then married Martha Wayles Jefferson, a widow, a week after Christmas on New Year’s Day in 1772. Although they had six children (five daughters and a son), only the daughters Maria and Martha lived past early childhood. After only 10 years of marriage, Jefferson became a widower following the death of his wife, most probably from complications giving birth to daughter, Lucy (who died two years after her mother). By the time Jefferson became president almost 20 years later, his Christmas were brightened by visits from his grandchildren.
As president in 1805, Jefferson celebrated Christmas with six of his grandchildren and 100 of their friends. Invitations were sent out by Secretary of State James Madison’s wife, Dolley, who acted as official hostess. Jefferson played the violin for the dancing children. Christmas celebrations at the Jefferson White House were festive affairs where delicacies and local American foods were served. Joyful Christmas partying continued at Monticello in 1809 following the end of the Jefferson presidency earlier that year. Celebrations at Jefferson’s beautiful home included the serving of a Christmas favorite, mince pies.
Although he was a slave owner, Jefferson allowed his slaves to have a Christmas holiday respite for a few days each year. With everyday responsibilities set aside, Jefferson allowed his slaves to travel to and from the Jefferson mansion to visit friends and relatives. For those staying at Monticello for the holiday, slaves were able to enjoy fresh meat instead of the usual cornmeal and pork.