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Martha Wayles (Skelton) Jefferson

(1748 - 1782)

Died before her husband's presidency

Martha Jefferson - A Stan Klos Biography

On 1 January, 1772, Jefferson married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a beautiful and childless young widow, daughter of John Wayles, a lawyer in large practice at the Williamsburg bar. His new house at Monticello, a view of which is, given on page 419, was then just habit, able, and he took his wife home to it a few days after the ceremony. Next year the death of his wife's father brought them a great increase of fortune--40,000 acres of land and 135 slaves, which, when the encumbrances were discharged, doubled Jefferson's estate.

The Jefferson's thrived in Virginia and in September the birth of their daughter Martha was a cause for celebration. Martha had four more childen but only two lived to maturity, Martha, called Patsy, and Mary, called Maria or Polly.

Thomas Jefferson due to Martha's poor health was force to resign from the Continental Congress to stay near her. Jefferson served in Virginia's House of Delegates and as governor. On January 3rd 1781, a British invasion led by Benedict Arnold forced Martha to flee the capital in Richmond her fourth child a baby girl who died in April that same year. In June Martha was forced to flee again from Monticello barely escaping an enemy raid. Martha birthed her last child, a daughter, the in May 1782, and never remained ill throughout the summer. On 6 September, 1782, Martha Jefferson died, to his unspeakable and lasting sorrow, leaving three daughters, the youngest four months old. Jefferson wrote "My dear wife died this day at 11:45 A.M."

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