White Sulphur Springs: Letter from Virginia Randolph Trist to Ellen Wayles Coolidge, September 3, 1825

Sisters Virginia Randolph Trist and Ellen Wayles Coolidge were both granddaughters of Thomas Jefferson who is the Grand-papa referred to in the letter.

Monticello Sep. 3d 1825

I have at length given up the keys to have time to write to you my Dearest Sister, to think of you I always find time even when most pressed by the labours of housekeeping & distracted by the crowds of company which we have had a constant succession of this summer. I believe I have entirely lost the taste for company with which I was born & unless our visitors are particularly interesting I think only of the interruption to all my occupations & still more of the fatigue to our dear frand-father which their presence occasions.… You may fancy when you look at the miniature door leading from the portico into the Drawing room that you see Grand-papa’s dear figure seated in one of the campeachy chairs drawn before the door for the sake of the pleasant evening air, just as you will see him next summer, only that he will then I hope be in better health than he has been for some months past. Nicholas left me nearly a fortnight ago for the Springs, he accompanied my Brother to Bedford to visit Francis & Mrs. Gilmer, & was to pursue his journey from there to the White Sulphur Springs. Mr. Baker & his daughter Elisabeth spent a day with us on their way to the same Springs, which gave me a safe & direct opportunity of writing, but I have not heard a word of Nicholas since he left Poplar Forest.…

See this Monticello Explorer site for more information about Campeachy chairs.