Thomas Jefferson Facts - 3rd President of USA

Read these Thomas Jefferson facts and he was born in Virginia in 1743. His father was well-to-do, so the future president was afforded an excellent education.

The 3rd President of USA Thomas Jefferson Facts 

Thomas Jefferson Facts - Like Adams, Jefferson had an acute intellect and unquenchable thirst for learning. He graduated from William and Mary College in 1762 and became a lawyer in 1767. His remarkable writing skills and sharp legal mind continues to impress.

Thomas Jefferson Marriage

Jefferson married his wife, Martha, in 1772, the couple went on to have six children. Sadly, Martha died ten years into the marriage while giving birth.

Only two of Jefferson’s children with Martha lived long enough to see adulthood. It is believed that he had other children with one of his slaves, Sally Hemings.

Jefferson’s contribution to freedom from British rule is monumental. In fact, he is the individual who wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence.

Interestingly, Jefferson did not appear to be a fervent supporter of slavery, and in his earlier years, he even believed the practice should not expand into new territories.

Still, his ownership of slaves, and negation to set the people free even upon his death, continues to perplex many minds.

Thomas Jefferson Career

Jefferson served as a delegate in the First and Second Continental Congress. He was appointed Secretary of State by President Washington but later left the position.

Jefferson and the Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, were at odds with one another concerning foreign policy. At the same time, they differed on the degree of strength the federal government should possess.

Hamilton, like Adams, was a Federalist; these men favored a stronger central power. Jefferson was a Democrat-Republican who supported the limited government. It is believed that Jefferson thought President Washington was more inclined to Hamilton’s view, so he resigned.

President Thomas Jefferson

Jefferson served as vice president under John Adams. Although both men had been friends earlier on, they came to disagree about pivotal issues and grew apart.

Jefferson ran against Adams in the next election and won; subsequently, he became the third president of the United States.

An epic purchase he made during his administration was the Louisiana territory. In 1803, he bought the area from France for $15,000,000.

Jefferson served two presidential terms and then left political life. He lived out his remaining days in the lavish home his slaves built called Monticello (Monticello means small mountain). During Jefferson’s older years, he accrued a great deal of debt.

Adams and Jefferson rekindled their friendship later on in life. The reunification, though only my mail, brought much joy to both men. And the quirk of fate that some of us might have forgotten? Both men died on July 4, 1826.

Adams and Jefferson were joined in life by a unified cause, and that cause was freedom. At the same time, they were united in death by the celebration of independence.

The fact that both Founding Fathers died exactly 50 years following the approval of the Declaration of Independence is extraordinary. We can only imagine the mystical forces at hand that made this remarkable event possible.

More About Thomas Jefferson

• NICKNAME - Father of the Declaration Of Independence
• BIRTH - Thomas Jefferson was born April 13, 1743, at Shadwell Goochland (now Albermarle)county Va.
• MOTHER - Jane Randolph
• FATHER - Peter Jefferson
• SISTERS - Jane, Jane, Martha, Lucy and Anna Scott
• BROTHER - Randolph
• MARRIAGE - Married Martha Wayles Skelton on October 19, 1748, in "Monticello"
• CHILDREN - Martha, Mary, and Lucy Elizabeth (Two daughters and a son died in infancy)
• HOME - "Monticello" in Charlottesville, Va.
• EDUCATION - Graduated in 1762 from William and Mary in Williamsburg Va.
• RELIGION - Non-Denomination
• PRE-PRESIDENCY PROFESSION - Farmer, writer and Lawyer
• MILITARY SERVICE - Colonel, Virginia militia 1770-1779

POLITICAL LIFE

1. Member Va. House of Burgess
2. Delegate to the Continental Congress
3. Delegate to the Virginia House of Representatives
4. Governor of Virginia
5. Commissioner and Minister to France
6. Secretary of State
7. Vice President
8. President two terms

POLITICAL PARTY

Democratic-Republican

INAUGURATION
March 4 1801 in the Senate Chamber, at the age of 57

Thomas Jefferson Administration

PRESIDENCY
Two terms (March 4, 1801-March 4, 1809)

VICE PRESIDENT
First Term: Aaron Burr

Second Term: George Clinton

FIRST LADY
Martha Jefferson (Never served as First Lady)

Jefferson was a widower upon taking the oath of office
Facts About Martha Jefferson
Biography of Martha Jefferson

SUPREME COURT APPOINTMENTS
William Johnson (1804)

Henry Brockholst Livingston (1807)
Thomas Todd (1807)

STATES ADMITTED TO THE UNION

Ohio (1803)

12th Amendment

Thomas Jefferson Cabinet

James Madison (1801-1809)

SECRETARY OF TREASURY

Samuel Dexter (1801)
Albert Gallatin (1801-1809)

SECRETARY OF WAR

Henry Dearborn (1801-1809)

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Levi Lincoln (1801-1804)
Robert Smith (1805)
John Breckinridge (1805-1806)
Caesar A. Rodney (1807-1809)

SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

Benjamin Stoddert (1801)
Robert Smith (1801-1809)

POSTMASTER GENERAL

Joseph Habersham (1801)
Gideon Granger (1801-1809)

POST PRESIDENCY LIFE

Planter, writer, and educator

DEATH
July 4, 1826 "Monticello" Charlottesville, Va. at the age of 83

BURIED
"Monticello," Charlottesville, Va.

LANDMARKS
Monticello, Charlottesville, Va. (Homestead and Grave)

Poplar Forest, Bedford County, Va (Homestead Retreat)
Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Washington D.C.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Keystone, South Dakota