America's First Daughter

Once the war with Britain ends, Jeff returns home and announces he’s found a bride named Jane. Patsy and Ann go to call on the girl’s mother. She disapproves of Jane marrying a planter instead of a merchant.

On the return trip, Ann’s drunken husband intercepts their carriage. When he begins to beat his wife, Patsy intervenes, defending her daughter with a horsewhip. Ann runs and hides. Jefferson forces Charles off his property. Jefferson hints that Ann should leave her husband: “He tried every possible way to encourage Ann’s separation from Charles. Every way but telling her she had a right to do it. Maybe that would’ve made the difference” (459).

When Tom returns from the war, he’s still angry at Patsy’s attempted interference. He makes plans for their daughter Ellen’s debut in Washington. Patsy fears the expense. Tom says it isn’t her place to worry about money. He adds, “That’s always been the trouble with you […] You don’t know your place” (461). 

Ellen sends back letters detailing her time at the capital and in Philadelphia. William visits her twice. His diplomatic career has ended abruptly under the Monroe administration.

Patsy finds herself pregnant again. This will be her 11th child. She tells Tom this pregnancy might kill her. Although she successfully delivers a son, her health suffers for several months afterward. Her daughters take turns as housekeeper of Monticello. They complain about the exhausting number of duties associated with the role.

Tom comes to visit Patsy. He’s so concerned about her health that he proposes they sleep apart to prevent any future pregnancies. The Virginia governor’s office will soon be vacant, and Tom intends to take the position and live separately in Richmond. Patsy speculates, “He might no longer be thought of as Thomas Jefferson’s underachieving political and intellectual heir—and dependent, but rather, master of a mansion in Richmond and the entire state of Virginia” (471).

Almost a year elapses before Patsy is well enough to resume control of the household. During her first day back on her feet, news arrives that Charles stabbed Jeff in a tavern quarrel. Charles is arrested, but the entire family worries that Jeff might die. He’s transported back to Monticello, having lost a serious amount of blood. Patsy thinks, “Seeing my son half-dead, something changed in me, my willingness to obey, my willingness to accept, to let the men handle it was gone” (477).

Charles makes bail and flees the county, taking his family with him. Tom is furious and wants to hunt him down, but Jeff and Patsy talk him into letting the law handle the matter. They all fear for Ann’s safety. Though he will live, Jeff declares that his arm is useless. Patsy devotes several months to her son’s physical rehabilitation. More bad news follows when Patsy learns that Jefferson has guaranteed a loan for Jeff’s father-in-law. The amount now due is $20,000.

In 1820, one of Jefferson’s slave sons, Beverly, has reached the age of 21. Jefferson promised Sally that all her children would be freed when they reached adulthood. Jefferson is in a quandary about what to do. If he gives his son his freedom, Beverly will have to leave the South, and the family may never see him again. Jefferson and Sally are both heartbroken at the prospect.

Tom returns from Richmond and asks Patsy to serve as his first lady. He believes he will lose reelection as governor without her political influence. He wants another term in office so he can abolish slavery in Virginia. He even goes so far as to ask Jefferson to endorse his plan. Patsy observes, “My father said that the work of ending slavery belonged to another generation. Maybe he was right. Maybe it belonged to me and mine” (490).

Later that year, Jefferson frees Beverly and his sister. Sally is inconsolable because she believes she will never see these two children again. 

Tom returns to live at Monticello after completing three terms as governor. Now past the age of childbearing, Patsy reestablishes a sexual relationship with him. The following year is happy until Tom receives distressing financial news. Despite his best efforts, Tom now owes $30,000: “After years of struggle and loss, of financial instability, Colonel Randolph’s long shadow had finally swallowed Tom up” (500).

Their son Jeff agrees to assume the debt. After assessing the situation, he decides to sell off all of Tom’s property. This sends Tom into a rage because, without land, he wouldn’t even retain voting rights as a citizen. He believes Monticello ought to be his, but the property is being held in trust for Patsy. Tom feels overshadowed by Jefferson: “Your father is your true worry. No one can ever shine so brightly in your eyes. He’s always your first concern” (505). Patsy is convinced her husband’s fiery temper is turning into madness.