Thomas Jefferson
By: Elaine Corwin
Introduction
Thomas Jefferson was more than just our 3rd president. Once you read this article you will find that he had many more stories to tell about his life. For instance, his early life. He grew up in Shadwell, Central Virginia. He was the third child of ten children. But, unfortunately, a few of his siblings did not survive. Another example is, his war years. After the Revolutionary war, he wrote the Declaration Of Independence, which declared our independence. And still today, we celebrate the 4th of July and on that day, we celebrate the Declaration. In the war of 1812, he helped the war effort by buying the Louisiana Purchase. He was president during the war of 1812. A good story to tell was in his later life. While he was president, He sent Lewis and Clark out on their expedition to explore the American West and also in his later life, he had grandchildren that he was close to. But all great stories come to an end. Which was in 1826. So, if you want to read the summed up story of Thomas Jefferson's life, read on.
Early Life
Thomas Jefferson had a story to tell, and he started the story with his early life. Thomas Jefferson was born in 1743 in Shadwell, Central Virginia. In the calenders they used then, his birthdate was April 2nd, which in the calenders we use today, his birthdate is April 13th. Thomas had nine siblings and he was the 3rd child of ten children. Unfortunately a few of his siblings did not survive and so Thomas realized with loss early in his childhood. When Thomas was younger, he loved to read. He liked William Shakespeare as well as other authors. He read book after book. He was a tall child. At age thirteen he was six feet, two inches. Thomas Jefferson had a "bumpy" childhood with its up and downs, but he has a successful home and a successful family. Thomas Jefferson had to deal with loss at a young age, which I believe made him a stronger person.
War Years
Another example of a story Thomas Jefferson could tell is his war years. In the Revolutionary war, He wrote the Declaration of Independence. That was important because, it declared Independence from the British. Today, we celebrate the declaration on July 4th, also known as Independence day. We celebrate it on July 4th because it was published in July 4th. During the War of 1812, he was President of the United States. He bought the Louisiana Purchase which is where the battle of New Orleans was held. Thomas Jefferson just wanted to buy New Orleans, but Napoleon, who was selling it to Thomas, gave Thomas all of Louisiana for 15,000 dollars. At the time, Louisiana doubled the size of the United States. So, Thomas Jefferson was important to the War of 1812 and also the Revolutionary war. He had experience with wars, and that is a good detail to a story to be told.
Later Life
A great story to tell was in his later life. He achieved many things in his later years. For instance, He became the third president of the U.S.A. He was the first president to be inaugurated in Washington D.C. which happened on March 4, 1801. He sent Lewis and Clark on their incredible journey. He sent them because he wanted to explore the American West and map the territory. They traveled a distance of more than 8,000 miles. In Thomas Jefferson's later life, he had grandchildren, from his daughter Patsy. His grandchildren and him were very close and they were special to him. He gave one of his granddaughter's the portable desk that he wrote the Declaration on. One of his granddaughters would write messages to him. He always wrote back. He would write a letter to her, and once she got it, she had to see if the letter was fully and correctly punctuated. He would test her so she would learn. All his life, Thomas wanted to open a University. He finally reached his dream and built one. He designed the University with his grandchildren. He did it! The University of Virginia was built, and in 1825, he founded it. And that is a big accomplishment, to exceed his dream. To design, and found a university. Sadly, in the next year, on July 4th 1826, his story came to an end. He died on the fifteenth anniversary of the Declaration the Independence. So, Thomas Jefferson had a good story to tell in his later, retired life. Many accomplishments and gratefulness.
Conclusion
So, I hope you have learned to possibly exceed your dreams, because your "wants" can come true. I hope you also learned about Thomas Jefferson's life, about how his early life went, how he was the third child of ten children. And how he was 6'2 at the age of 13. About how his war years were like. About when the Revolutionary war was over, he wrote the Declaration of Independence. And how in the War of 1812, he was president and bought the Louisiana Purchase. Thomas Jefferson had a good later life. He had many accomplishments. For instance, founding and designing the University of Virginia. That is a big thumbs up to his accomplishments. So, Thomas Jefferson had a busy, rough, happy, "thorough" life, with many mixed emotions. But that is the things you need to have a great life and a good story.
Glossary
Declaration- a formal statement or announcement
Achieved- to reach a wanted objective by skill, courage or effort
Unfortunately- to have something change unluckily
Emotions- a natural state of mind from an experiance
Sources
Websites:
shmoop.combiography.com
Books:
The American Story
Thomas Jefferson
Who Was Thomas Jefferson?