Martha Jefferson

Martha Skelton Jefferson (née Wayles) was born on October 30, 1748, near Colonial Williamsburg in Charles City County, Virginia. She was the only surviving child of Martha Eppes Wayles (1721–1748) and John Wayles (1715–1773). Martha's mother, Martha Eppes Wayles, had previously given birth to twins in 1746, neither of whom survived infancy. Martha was nicknamed "Patsy." Her father, John Wayles, was an attorney, plantation owner, and slave trader who emigrated from Lancaster, England. He also served as an agent for the Bristol-based Farrell and Jones company, involved in debt collection. Martha's maternal grandfather was Francis Eppes, an early Virginian settler of the Bermuda Hundred area along the Appomattox River.

Martha experienced the death of her mother shortly after her birth. She had two stepmothers during her childhood; her third wife, Elizabeth Lomax Skelton, married John Wayles in 1760 and died in 1761. Martha had four half-sisters through her father's marriages, including Elizabeth and Nancy Skipwith, and a close relationship with Betty Hemings, a woman of mixed-race ancestry and a mistress to John Wayles. Martha likely received her education at home, including instruction in literature, dance, music, French, and Bible studies. After her second stepmother died, she took on responsibilities as the "Lady of the House," hosting social events and managing household affairs.

In 1766, Martha married Bathurst Skelton, an attorney, at age 18. They had one son, John Skelton, born in 1767. Bathurst Skelton died in 1768; Martha moved back to her family estate, and her young son died in 1771. Subsequently, Martha moved to The Forest estate.

It is believed that Martha began courting Thomas Jefferson around December 1770. They married on January 1, 1772, with Martha bringing property and a significant number of slaves as her dowry, including the Elk Hill plantation where she previously lived with her first husband. Their marriage produced six children, but only two daughters survived to adulthood: Martha "Patsy" Jefferson (1772–1836) and Mary "Maria or Polly" Jefferson (1778–1804). Several children, including Jane Randolph Jefferson, who was born in 1774, and Lucy Elizabeth, born in 1780 and 1782, died in infancy.

Together, Thomas and Martha Jefferson acquired numerous slaves through her dowry and her father’s estate, becoming the second-largest slave owners in Albemarle County. Their enslaved people included Betty Hemings and her children, among whom was Sally Hemings, fathered by John Wayles. Many of these enslaved individuals worked in domestic service or skilled trades at Monticello. When John Wayles died in 1773, he left a large estate, which included more than 100 enslaved individuals. Martha and Thomas inherited these, along with debts and plantations, complicating Jefferson’s financial situation.

Contemporaneous descriptions of Martha characterize her as small, graceful, and attractive, with a good-natured and vivacious temperament. She was highly educated, musically talented, and kept household notes and recipes. Her musical talents included playing the harpsichord and piano forte.

In her role as First Lady of Virginia from 1779 to 1781, she organized efforts to raise funds and supplies for Virginia’s militia during the American Revolution. A known correspondence from her includes a letter published in the Virginia Gazette, appealing for support. She also led a fundraising drive among Virginia women, responding to a request from Martha Washington, reflecting her involvement in patriotic activities.

Martha Skelton Jefferson died on September 6, 1782, at about 33 years of age, approximately four months after the birth of her last child. Her death occurred nineteen years before Thomas Jefferson’s presidency.