Historic Eppington
Friendship of Jefferson for Eppes Family Recalled
As History of Old House Is Traced
By Craig Scots Romaine
Looking upon old Eppington and its magnificent surroundings, one finds it very easy to understand why Thomas Jefferson spent as much of his time there as he could manage to extract from his crowded life; because to leave the main road and enter the three-mile lane that winds its way through the heart of a virgin forest, almost to the steps of the old house, is to step into a different world, about which still clings the charm of forgotten years.
Early in the eighteenth century, Francis Eppes of Bermuda Hundred purchased from others their shares in a tract of land of 4,000 acres, in which he himself already held an interest. This tract of land lay in the western part of what is now Chesterfield County, and formed a tiny eninsula, around three sides of which flowed the Appomattox River. Shortly after this transaction, Francis Eppes began the construction of his home which from the day of its completion, to the present time, has borne the name Eppington.
Considering the difficulties under which the building of a house, and especially a house in the heart of a vast wilderness, was accomplished in those days, a great deal of time must have been spent in the erection of such a mansion as Eppington. An enlightening description of the place is contained in a letter written in 1856 by a descendant of the builder, and addressed to Henry S. Randall, author of "The Life of Thomas Jefferson." Part of this letter is as follows:
"Tallahassie, Florida, ---------, 1856.
"Dear Sir:
"You ask me for a description of Eppington, but such an impression as I can now give must be considered an imperfect sketch. The mansion-house itself, an old-fashioned, two-story building, with a hipped roof in the centre and wings on the sides, with a hall or passage in front running from one wing to the other and opening on the offices, and with piazzas in front and rear, was placed at the extreme side of a large level or lawn covered with green sward, extending to a considerable distance in front, and declining on the left side as you entered, and in the rear of the house, to the low grounds of the Appomattox, a mile off. In front, and over the neighborhood road which skirted the lawn, was situated the garden, long famous in the vicinity for its fine vegetables and fruit; and to the right of the lawn, as you entered, was an extensive orchard of the finest fruit, with the stables between, at the corner and on the road. The mansion, painted of a snowy white, with green blinds to the windows, and its row of offices at the end, was almost imbedded in a beautiful double row of the tall Lombardy poplar--the most admired of all trees in the palmy days of old Virginia--and this row reached to another double row or avenue which skirted one side of the lawn, dividing it from the orchard and stables.
"The plantation was quite an extensive one, and in the days of my grandfather, Francis Eppes, Sen., was remarkably productive. Indeed it could hardly have been otherwise under such management as his; for he was eminent for his skill both in agriculture and horticulture; and I have heard Mr. Jefferson, who knew him intimately, say of him, that he considered him not only 'the first horticulturist in America,' but 'a man of the soundest practical judgment on all subjects that he had ever known.'
"Well do I remember his venerable appearance--his grave and dignified demeanor; his serious, thoughtful, loving look, so expressive of the mingled firmness and kindness of his character. . . .
FRANCIS EPPES."
Francis Eppes Sr. married Elizabeth Wayles, daughter of John Wayles of "The Forest" in Charles City County, and formerly of Lancaster, England. Miss Wayles was also a sister of Mrs. Martha Skelton who was married to President Jefferson in 1772. Seven children were born to Francis and Elizabeth Eppes, only one of whom was a boy--John Wayles Eppes--who was destined to play an important part in the history of Eppington and in the affairs of his country, and who was also to win not only the admiration of Thomas Jefferson himself, but the affection of his daughter, as well.
Jefferson Interested in Eppes' Career
John Wayles Eppes was born in 1772, and at an early age decided to carve for himself a political career. Whether this decision was influenced by his father's close friendship with Thomas Jefferson is a matter for conjecture. It is known, however, that Mr. Jefferson took an active interest in the boy's education, and saw to it that he was mentally equipped for his chosen work. Letters written by Mr. Jefferson to Francis Eppes revealed a profound love for young John, who was his nephew by marriage, and whom he affectionately called "Jack." Two such letters, which are examples of many that he wrote, are given here. These, as may be seen, were written two years apart.
"Philadelphia, May 15, 1791
"Dear Sir:
"Jack's letters will have informed you of his arrival here safe and in good health. Captain Stratton is also arrived, whom we considered as lost. Your favors of April 5 and 27 are received. I had just answered a letter of Mr. Skipwith's on the subject of the Guineaman, and therefore send you a copy of that by way of answer to your last. I shall be in Virginia in October, but cannot yet say whether I shall be able to go to Richmond.
"Jack is now set in to work regularly. He passes from 2 to 4 hours a day at the College, completing his courses of sciences, and 4 hours at the law. Besides this, he will write an hour or two to learn the style of business and acquire a habit of writing, and will read something in history and government. The course I propose for him will employ him a couple of years. I shall not fail to impress on him a due sense of the advantage of qualifying himself to get a living independently of other resources. As yet I discover nothing but a disposition to apply closely. I set out tomorrow on a journey of a month to lakes George, Champlain, etc., and having yet a thousound things to do, I can only add assurances of the sincere esteem with which I am, dear sir,
"Your affectionate friend and servant,
TH. JEFFERSON
"Francis Eppes, Esq., Eppington"
"Philadelphia, Apr. 7th, 1793
"Dear Sir:
"According to the information contained in my letter of March 17th, Jack now sets out for Virginia. The circumstances which have determined the moment of his departure have been the commencement of a term at William and Mary, should you accede to the proposition of his going there, and my relinquishing my house here and retiring to a small one in the country with only three rooms, and from whence I shall hold myself in readiness to take my departure for Monticello the first moment I can do it with due respect to myself. I can give you the most consoling assurances as to Jack's temper, prudence, and excellent diposition. On these points I can say with truth everything a parent would wish to hear. As far, too, as his backwardness would ever give me an opportunity of judging, I can pronounce a very favorable verdict on his talents, in which I have been entirely confirmed by those who have had better opportunities of judging as having had better opportunities of unreserved conversations with him. After all, the talent for speaking is yet untried, and can only be tried at the moot courts at the college, which I propose for his next object . . . .
"Your friend and servant,
"TH. JEFFERSON
"Francis Eppes, Esq., Eppington."
Four years after his departure from Philadelphia, John Eppes married Mary Jefferson, the President's youngest daughter, and thus made the bond between the two men even stronger.
It was in 1801, after four happy years spent in the peaceful atmosphere of old Eppington, that the first child was born to John and Mary Eppes. He was named for his grandfather -- Francis Eppes -- and was the only child of Mary and John to ever reach maturity. About three years later, they had another child -- Maria -- but here the note of tragedy was struck in the story of Eppington and its associates, for the young mother never recovered from the birth of her second child.
This last child of Mary Jefferson Eppes was born at Edgehill, the home built by her father for her sister, Martha, about four miles from Monticello. Here she remained for a short time, confined to her bed and anxiously attended by her sister. After a visit from her father, she was carried in a litter borne by several men to Monticello, where her health continued to rapidly decline, and where in 1804, between the hours of 8 and 9 on a morning tinged with the vibrant beauty of April, she passed away.
Tragic Note in Letter
Mr. Jefferson felt the pain of the death of his youngest daughter with the terrible keenness known only to those who are capable of deep feeling. The saddest and perhaps one of the greatest letters he ever penned was written in answer to a note of condolence from his old classmate and intimate friend, Governor Page. In it is expressed the utter despair of a bereaved heart, yet in it also one finds the simple belief and the philosophy which enabled him to bear his sorrows with the quiet fortitude that was an integral part of him. In a letter written in 1856 by a niece of Mary Eppes and granddaughter of Thomas Jefferson, she says, "My mother has told me that on the day of her sister's death, she left her father alone for some hours. He then sent for her, and she found him with the Bible in his hands. He who has been so often and so harshly accused of unbelief, he, in his hour of intense affliction, sought and found consolation in the sacred volume. John Wayles Eppes returned to Eppington with a heavy heart. But after receiving encouraging words and sound advice from Mr. Jefferson, he resumed his political work and rose to great heights. Soon he was elected to the United States Senate.
Mr. Eppes was the first man to defeat John Randolph of Roanoke in a political battle, but it is doubtful whether this victory would have been won had it not been for the wise and experienced help of Mr. Jefferson, who, besides working diligently in other ways, went in his carriage from county to county, visiting his old friends, and at the same time electioneering for his son-in-law.
After the death of John Wayles Eppes, which occurred in 1825, Eppington passed into the hands of the Thweatts. It is now owned by the Hines family who value its traditions, and who are aware of it unsurpassed beauty; for Francis Eppes build well better, perhaps, than he knew. |
