THE
MONTICELLO
ASSOCIATION

The First Fifty Years of the Monticello Association^*

By Robert H. Kean

     Thirteen members attended the first meeting at which the only business transacted, as reported in the minutes, was an election of officers and the adoption of a constitution and by-laws. Colonel Kean was elected President, Miss Cornelia J. Taylor, Vice President; and Mr. Virginius R. Shackelford, Secretary, and the constitution and by-laws then adopted are printed elsewhere in this volume. The published "Minutes of the First Meeting of the Original Members of the Monticello Graveyard Association" listed sixty members.

     The new association began promptly to translate words into deeds, for the report of the Secretary to the next meeting held April 13, 1914 showed $108 paid for cutting eight trees and removing twelve loads of wood, $6 for cutting grass and clearing, and $115 for straightening and repairing gravestones. Plans were being made to locate and mark unmarked graves as far as this could be done, and to prepare an accurate plat of all known graves. Among the unmarked graves were those of Governor Nicholas; Governor Randolph; Capt. Lewis M. Randolph, his wife and son; Mrs. George Wythe Randolph; Eliza and  Cary Ruffin; and other descendants of Col. T.J. Randolph. The grave of Governor Nicholas was located and marked during this year.

     The matter of family records began to receive attention, too, and the President reported that his compilation of an index of the descendants of Thomas Jefferson, though incomplete, had reached a total of 297 names.

     An Historian of the Association was provided by the constitution, who during those early years, was Mrs. Alex. B. Randall. She began the accumulation of archives, and the publication in the Annual Reports of valuable historical notes which have been ably continued by succeeding historians. The Annual Report for 1916 carried an account of a document from the Edgehill Papers in the handwriting of Thomas Jefferson Randolph, listing subscribers and contributions for the building of the wall erected around the graveyard in 1837; and in the 1917 Annual Report were published "Gleanings concerning the Jefferson family in Virginia" about early Jeffersons in the colony and their possible connections with Jeaffresons in England and the West Indies.

     It was early realized in the affairs of the Association that for reuniting and holding the interests of scattered members of the family to support this enterprise, the publishing of a well-written and interesting Annual Report would be invaluable. During the early meetings a paper was read by the historian as part of the order of business and was then published in the Annual Report. Although the reading of historical papers was not long continued due to lack of time at the meetings, the frequent printing of worthwhile historical articles in the reports has been continued, not only adding greatly to the interest of the Association's little publication, but also making it a valuable source of historical data. For example, in 1916 was published the story of Edgehill, of the early frame house and the brick house built by Thomas Jefferson Randolph in 1828 and which had burned in 1916. The Annual Report for 1922 contained the story of the origin of the graveyard and the identifications of those buried there. This practice has been amplified and brought up-to-date in this present volume. In 1939 was published the story of Chancellor Wythe; of the silver he bequeathed to Jefferson; of the silver cups Jefferson had made from it, which have come down to various members of the family; and of which a number have now been returned to Monticello. The 1941 Annual Report contained an article on "Thomas Jefferson and African Slavery" written in the course of studies by the Historian in connection with the wording of the panels of the "four freedoms" in the Jefferson Memorial in Washington. Beginning in 1925 and continuing through 1933 the Historian published genealogical tables of all the known descendants of Thomas Jefferson; and in 1936 and 1937 two important articles on the Randolphs of Tuckahoe were written by Jefferson Randolph Anderson. With the passage of another generation this important work has been continued by the present Historian, and an up-to-date and authoritative genealogical table of Jefferson's descendants is included in this volume.

     Another interesting and valuable historic work was a compilation and printing in the 1926 Report of a list of all articles of furniture or ornament which could be reliably traced to the ownership of Mr. Jefferson. This work was undertaken at the request of Mr. Fiske Kimball, then Chairman of the Committee on Historic Monuments of the American Institute of Architects, since the Institute was much interested in the repair and interior furnishing of Monticello in good taste, and as nearly as possible as it was in Mr. Jefferson's life-time. At that time the estate had only recently been purchased by the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation, and the Foundation had accepted the offer of the American Institute of Architects for advice and guidance in the matters. Mr. Kimball wrote  to the Historian:

     During the first decade of the Association the physical care of the graveyard had been put in the hands of a local contractor who cut grass and performed routine maintenance, but a need soon became evident for a person with more authority to assume responsibility and to supervise the mechanical aspects of the care. Thus in 1922 the Association established the post of Custodian, to have this responsibility and to whom the necessary funds were allotted for the work. Mrs. Robert H. McMurdo was chosen first for this office and she carried out its never-ending duties with diligence and love for fifteen years. In 1938 Mrs. Gilbert N. Rafferty was appointed to succeed Mrs. McMurdo and until the present time has continued the work in the same spirit.

     One of the early tasks to which the Association addressed itself, beyond the matter of day-to-day care of the graveyard, was the development of policy to provide for an orderly growth as additional burials occurred, and to assure as far as possible that legal rights of individual members of the family should be exercised with due regard to the unusual and national character of the enclosure. In 1916 there was appointed a committee to ascertain what members of the Association might wish interment in the graveyard in order that there might be adequate planning for the future. Because of the ownership of the graveyard by all the heirs of Colonel Thomas Jefferson Randolph, the Association could exercise no legal authority in such matters, but there soon developed such broad areas of agreement and unanimity of opinion among his many descendants comprising the Association that effective statements of policy could be made. It is a happy commentary that through these fifty years this situation has continued, and the Association policies have gathered the weight of years of precedence.

     One of the major points of concern was that future burials should not encroach upon the open area around the Jefferson monument. This was expressed in a resolution adopted in 1922 that "the Northern half of the graveyard, being that portion north of the walk extending across the graveyard, as shown on the Kirk blueprint, shall not be used for future burials."

     Another aspect of concern beyond the assurance that there should be now crowding of the Jefferson monument was the one that all monuments which might be erected elsewhere be of modest proportions and properly subordinated to the Jefferson monument. This was stated in 1932 by the Executive Committee and confirmed by the annual meeting which said the Association policy recognized that, "Thomas Jefferson is a national character and his grave should be regarded as a national shrine of which the Monticello Association is by inheritance the custodian." After pointing out the recognition of "this joint possession" by the Congress in erecting the monument over Jefferson's grave while leaving title to the graveyard vested in his descendants, the statement of policy continued,

     Members of the family have on occasion consulted with the executive or interment committee in their wish to accord with this Association policy, and on two occasions the Association has been guided by this principle in replying to other organizations which had expressed a desire to erect memorials on the graveyard property separate and distinct from existing gravestones for individuals already buried there. In  each instance the Executive Committee expressed its appreciation for such an organization's sentiment and interest. It then stated the policy of the Association and asked that specific plans be submitted for consideration, but in neither instance did the matter progress beyond this point.

     On another occasion, members of the Committee on Interments of the Association were approached about the burial in the graveyard of persons who were neither legally entitled to burial there, nor the wives or husbands of persons having such legal right. The committee, while understanding the sentiment of this appeal, decided that the granting of any such request would create a precedent highly dangerous for the future, and asked that the Association recognize this by stating a simple definition of those entitled to burial (as above), which was done at the annual meeting in 1952, thus clarifying policy on this point.

     In its efforts to secure from members of the Association expressions of their wishes as regards reservations of space for burial, and whether they would be willing to subscribe for the purchase of land for an extension of the graveyard, the committee on interment reported that "from the reluctance evinced to send replies it would appear that the members thought the committee was proposing immediate occupation of reservations." However, by 1922 the committee was able to report that within the foreseeable future the Association would have to decide between three alternatives:
     First, to repeal the resolution reserving the northern half of the graveyard from use for interments.
     Second, to attempt to discourage further interments after a fixed future date.
     Third, to enlarge the graveyard.

     The first alternative was highly undesirable, and the Association had no legal authority to enforce the second, so the committee recommended adoption of the third, which was approved. The officers of the Association thereupon undertook to approach Mr. J.M. Levy, the owner of the property surrounding the graveyard, with a view to the purchase of half an acre of land adjoining it.

     During the years just preceding this time there had been developing an increasing interest among various public-spirited citizens for the purchase of Monticello from Mr. Levy, and for its preservation as a national shrine. This culminated in April 1923 with the organization n New York of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation which immediately began negotiations with Mr. Levy and acquired the estate later that year. Thus Mr. T.J. Randolph IV was able to report to the annual meeting of the Association on June 4, 1923 that he hoped to be able very soon to make a favorable report of his transactions with Mr. Levy in the matter of acquiring the ground desired by the Association.

     Mr. Randolph had, in fact, been much interested in forwarding the purchase and preservation of Monticello, had been in touch with Mr. Levy, and had contributed valuable legal work to the Memorial Foundation. Thus it was to  a considerable extent through his efforts that Mr. Levy, at the time of his sale of Monticello, deeded half an acre in trust to Mr. T.J. Randolph, "for burial purposes only for the descendants of Thomas Jefferson." The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation became a party to the transaction to signify its approval of it. In 1927-1928 Mr. Hollins Randolph, who was the President of the Association, made it possible through his work and generous financial assistance for the Association to enlarge the fenced area of the graveyard by about half again its original size. Although this newly enclosed area began soon to be used for burials, and there are now after nearly forty years, twenty-five graves located within it, most of the half acre is still unfenced.

     The beautiful restoration of Monticello and its development under the careful hand of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation into one of the great shrines of our national history has brought some changes even to the quiet of the graveyard. The grave of Jefferson has been naturally a point of interest for many of the visitors to Monticello and their curiosity about the other graves tended to lead them around the fence, resulting soon in a well worn pathway completely around the graveyard, dusty in summer, muddy in wet weather, and unsightly at all times. The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation graciously solved this problem for the Association by building a brick walk completely around the enclosure, enhancing the appearance of the fence and providing and added dignity to the graveyard. The Association, also, mindful of the historic importance of the spot, has erected a bronze plaque near the graves of Jefferson and Carr to tell the visitor something of the place. The inscription bears these words:

     The growth and evolution of the Association through its fifty years have been reflected by its constitution as well as in ways already described. Although the foundation stones of its scope and purpose as stated in 1913 have proven sturdy and generally adequate, certain aspects of the structure erected on them have been modified to suit changing times and circumstances. The name of the Association is now not its original name, and as often happens with the advent of a new member into a large and affectionate family, the matter of a name has been the subject of considerable discussion. The Annual Report for 1924, in remarks preceding a reprinting of the constitution says:

     The Association continued to function quite successfully with this slightly illegal name for many years, though not without discussion from time to time. It was brought up at the meeting of 1946, and several variations of name were suggested. No general agreement was reached and a committee was appointed to consider the matter and report at the next meeting. The Historian published an article in the Annual Report for that year discussing the variously suggested names, and disagreeing in some detail with the recommendation of the committee that it be "The Jefferson Family Graveyard Association." In addition to more serious considerations it was pointed out that no one by the name of Jefferson had been buried there for over 120 years! The minutes of the next meeting state laconically, "After discussion it was decided by unanimous vote to thank the committee for their efforts in this matter and to make no change in the present name." "The Monticello Association" has not again been challenged, and furthermore it is now legal, having been formally adopted in 1954 in the course of a general over-hauling and re-adoption of the constitution designed to pick up dropped stitches and ravellings which had accumulated through the years.

     Among the many happy consequences of the founding of the Association has been the fact that its annual meetings soon began to take on the aspect of family reunions. Interest in the affairs of the Association was not limited narrowly to descendants of Thomas Jefferson as was the qualification for membership, but extended quite naturally to family connections, in-laws, and friends, a number of whom  regularly attended meetings and made financial contributions to the Association. To recognize this, and to encourage continued interest, the constitution was amended in 1926-1927 to provide two new non-voting classes of membership:

     Such members could be elected by two-thirds vote at any meetings.

     Since that time the Presidents of the University of Virginia and of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation have traditionally been honorary members of the Association.

     It was quite soon found, with respect to Associate members, who could be elected ex tempore at any meeting, that when the annual meetings arrived at the point on the agenda to consider new members, the warmth and fellowship of the occasion seemed to prompt the nominations of just about all the relatives and friends who had happened to come along for the occasion. The complications of continuing such a state of affairs were obvious, and before long a by-law was adopted that, except for spouses of members, who could be nominated and elected as before, all other nominations for associate membership must be made to a committee, which after consideration, would report them to a subsequent meeting. Many faithful and devoted associate members remain on the rolls, and spouses continue to seek this status in spite of the fact that some such in-laws, referring to the denial of franchise, gleefully call themselves "out-laws".

     In 1928 a by-law was adopted that any member contributing $100 to the Association would be designated a life member and exempted from payment of annual dues. Receipts of such life memberships, above the amount require for current operations, were accumulated as the beginnings of an endowment fund. Occasional transfers of small annual surpluses were made to the fund, and various memorial and other gifts have been added to it from time to time. In 1953 a trust agreement was made with the First and Merchants National Bank of Richmond for the purpose of investing and conserving the fund. The income is regularly available for operating expenses and the trust may be terminated by the Association whenever so desired. In 1946 the Association received a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service as a non-profit organization that it was exempt from tax liability under federal Income Tax Law.

     As the Association began to approach the fiftieth anniversary of its founding, its members were removed by at least a generation, and more often by two or three generations from those who had organized it. Under these circumstances a number of individuals advanced the idea that many of the Annual Reports published since 1913 contained material unknown to the present membership and yet of real interest to them, and also worthy of being reprinted for its own historical value. Notable among these were the Secretary-Treasurer of the Association, Carolina Ramsay Randolph; the Historian, Olivia Alexandra Taylor; Walter Muir Whitehill; and the Chairman of the editorial committee for this volume, George Green Shackelford.

     A plan for publishing a comprehensive index of the Annual Reports was abandoned upon ascertaining that probably not more than six to eight complete files of them were in existence.Other ideas were developed in informal discussion and at annual meetings of the Association, and it was agreed that the fiftieth anniversary of its founding would be an appropriate time to print material from past reports in a commemorative volume. It was also agreed that the volume should have a somewhat broader historical perspective than would be provided merely by excerpts from the Annual Reports, and in 1958 the annual meeting of the Association approved the matter in principle, voted funds to commence the work, and appointed a Commemorative Volume Committee consisting of George Green Shackelford, Chairman; Robert Hill Kean, Gerald Morgan, Jr.; Virginia Randolph Slade; and Olivia Alexander Taylor. The following year George Hyndman Esser, Jr; Sidney Matthes Ruffin; and Walter Muir Whitehill were added to the committee. This present volume is the outcome.

     The growth of the membership of the Association has been continuous through the fifty years if its existence, and has been quite remarkable. Thirteen members attended its first meeting, and its first report listed a total of sixty members. The President promptly undertook the compilation of the descendants of Thomas Jefferson, which seems to have been attended by some difficulty as indicated by his letter two years later to the Secretary, in which he said,

     His catalogue showed 312 living descendants, of whom 243 were descended from Martha Jefferson Randolph and 69 from Maria Jefferson Eppes. They were scattered in twenty states and under 64 surnames. However, only eight surnames (excluding married ladies who had changed their names) accounted for nearly 200 of the 312 persons listed. These were Coolidge, Eppes, Ruffin, Randolph, Taylor, Preston, Burke and Shine. There were more with the surname of Coolidge than with any other. By 1949 the Historian reported a compilation of 657 living descendants, and the Eppes had outstripped the Coolidges by a score of 158 to 115. The directory of members published that year listed 243 members and 60 associate members. The compilation made for this Volume lists 1,0004 living descendants of Thomas Jefferson. Of these, 358 are descended from Thomas Jefferson Randolph; 214 are descended from Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge; 212 are descended from Francis Eppes (son of Maria Jefferson); and 174 from Anne Cary Randolph Bankhead. The directory of association membership published in the 1962 Report listed 389 members and 90 associates.

     The increases in membership, despite a simultaneously increasing geographical dispersion, has been accompanied by gratifying increase in attendance at the annual meetings in Charlottesville. Many members each year travel long distances to partake in the pilgrimage to Monticello, the happy reunion and luncheon together, and then the business meeting of the Association. Where thirteen met in 1913, now from sixty to eighty members of the family and friends gather for the annual meeting; but as is apt to happen in this world where each gain often involves some loss, so has it inevitably been with these meetings of the Association. For many years the meetings were held at Monticello through the gracious courtesy of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation, with luncheon served in Jefferson's dining room and many members seated around Jefferson's own dining table, but now, alas, the Association has outgrown the dining room and this happy custom is no more.

     But the real gains far outweigh this sentimental loss. The fifty years since the little Association was founded to hold from the graveyard, in some measure, the ruin of the hand of Time, have seen not only a reasonable achievement of that objective, but also most happily, a rather remarkable drawing together of the large and widely dispersed family connection. The fear, expressed in earlier years, that the younger generation would lack the interest and family unity of their elders, has not come to pass. They are carrying on in the same tradition. The membership now numbers many cousins now assemble here as constituted the whole membership of the Association in its early years. May the next fifty years write as happy a history!