111

Uncommon map of field near Monticello drafted by himself

Thomas Jefferson

Two items: Holograph plat drawing * Autograph Letter Signed, "Th:Jefferson,"

to his Monticello neighbor Christopher Hudson. The drawing, in ink, unsigned, outlining and labeling the 23-acre "Poggio field" and surrounding area in Albemarle County near Monticello. The extremes of one edge of the field pass through dotted lines that converge well beyond the edge of the page, each labeled "bearings of House, reversed," and other labels indicate the "Woods between Pog- / gio field & Franklin's / 10.26 / acres," and "Corner of / Fr[anklin]'s field."  Although not obviously related to the letter, the drawing has been attached at the lower right corner to the lower edge of the letter for many years. 4x6 inches; moderate staining at lower left recto, faint discoloration from prior matting at lower edge. The letter, sending the gift of a pair of hedge shears [not present]. ½ page, 4to; moderate brittling overall, few chips along right edge (without loss to text), moderately toned overall, areas of discoloration in margins from prior matting and in blank area after text from plat drawing, folds, remnants of nearly detached integral blank includes residue from wax seal.

Np, nd; [Charlottesville], 9 August 1815.

  • Notes: "When I had the pleasure of being with you the day before yesterday, you mentioned your want of a pair of hedge-shears, and that you had to wait till they could be imported from Europe. I knew I had had a pair, but it had been so long since I had seen them that I was not sure they could now be found, and therefore said nothing. On my return it was my first object to have them sought for, and I am happy that being found I am enabled to ask your acceptance of them. You will perceive by their having never been used that I have no employment for them. . . ."

    The polygraph copy of this sent letter is housed at the Massachusetts Historical Society (see https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/03-08-02-0530).

    Jefferson's Farm Book includes a crop rotation schedule for the Poggio field for the years 1816-22, but the same book mentions the field as early as 1795.
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November 6, 2025 12:00 PM EST
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