THE
MONTICELLO
ASSOCIATION

Virginia could not have been more beautiful than it was at the time of our Annual Meeting this year. Tulips and azaleas were at their peak of perfection; Monticello was lovely with flowers throughout the grounds and in the house. More than one hundred persons -family and their guests -attended the Saturday afternoon reception there. The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation provided comfortable and continuous shuttle bus service from the big parking lot up to the house, and back, until the last of our party was safely down the hill. (Our usual parking area was not available because of some work there in progress.)

Moncure Taylor, as the Association's president, made a short speech of welcome in the entrance hall. He called attention to the new sand finish on the front columns, the newly opened greenhouse addition that was available for our inspection, and the new front window renovation for which original authentic materials were used. He also mentioned the fact that small groups could go upstairs if accompanied by a hostess.

Several members of the Monticello staff, including Resident Director James Bear and Assistant Director Charles Granquist, were available for conversation and questions, thus contributing much to our pleasure. The hostess- guides were most generous in taking people upstairs. These ladies appear never to lose their enthusiasm concerning Monticello, which ability seems remarkable considering the frequency with which they show the house. For all this we are again grateful.

From Monticello about one hundred of us reconvened in the Jefferson Room of the Mount Vernon Motel where, as if by magic, tables and chairs and music and food and beverages appeared. David Works and Randy Taylor, communicating by telephone, had coordinated this project. Randy procured and prepared turkeys, hams, potato salad, cheese, marinated vegetables, bread, lettuce, mayonnaise, and cake, in huge quantities. All this she did in Maryland and transported to Charlottesville, using ice chests when necessary . David had kept in touch with the motel management to see that all would go smoothly. We are indebted to the Mt. Vernon for providing the room at no charge and equipping it for our comfort. After supper many lingered for conversation and dancing, and what fun it was to see grandfathers dancing with granddaughters! We had not arranged a Saturday evening gathering in over ten years, although the need was recognized, and are profoundly grateful to Randy and David and all who helped get the food out and put it away.

On Sunday there were a few sprinkles before we left the graveyard, but not enough to be unpleasant. For those who had loved the spot for years seeing newcomers discover its beauty was a special treat and a source of pride to have them see that the graveyard was well-cared for and elegantly fenced. After individual graves were visited and graced with flowers, we gathered near Mr. Jefferson's monument where our president, Moncure Taylor, read the names of one associate member and two descendants who were known to have died since last year. They are: Nell Richardson Reily Eppes, Everett Bell Hutchison, and Page Taylor Kirk. (For details, see DEATHS, page 20.) Moncure then read the following passage by A.B. Simpson titled "The Secret of the Lord is with Them That Fear Him" (Psalms 25: 14).

"There are secrets of Providence which God's dear children may learn. His dealings with them often seem, to the outward eye, dark and terrible. Faith looks deeper and says, 'This is God's secret. You look only on the outside; I can look deeper and see the hidden meaning.' Sometimes diamonds are done up in rough packages, so that their value cannot be seen. When the Tabernacle was built in the wilderness there was nothing rich in its outside appearance. The costly things were all within, and its outward covering of rough badger skin gave no hint of the valuable things which it contained.

"God may send you, dear friends, some costly packages. Do not worry if they are done up in rough wrappings. You may be sure there are treasures of love, and kindness, and wisdom hidden within. If we take what He sends, and trust Him for the goodness in it, even in the dark, we shall learn the meaning of the secrets of Providence." This was followed by a "Mothers' Day Prayer":

"Our Father, we would thank Thee for our mothers who gave us life, who surrounded us early with love and care, whose prayers on our behalf continue to adhere to the Throne of Grace.

"Help us, their children, to be more worthy of their love. We know that no sentimentality on this day, no material gifts -no flowers or boxes of candy -atone for our neglect during the rest of the year.

"So in the days ahead, may our love speak to the hearts who know love best -by kindness, by compassion, by simple courtesy and daily thoughtfulness.

"Bless her, and keep her in Thy perfect peace. Bless the remembrance of those who are no longer with us.

"Though Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. (Phrases from prayer by Peter Marshall.)"

Flowers were then placed near Mr. Jefferson 's grave by our younger members.

We then drove over back. roads, in caravan style, to the Keswick Hunt Club. There Millie Farmer, guided each step of the way, she said, by Anne Barnes, and with the help of her committee and a few loyal volunteers, had worked to set up tables and arrange flowers while we were in the graveyard. The caterer-provided lunch was plentiful and unusually delicious.

Promptly at two o'clock President Taylor called the business meeting to order. According to signatures on the roll sheets the following 86 members and 15 guests were present.

Moncure extended a special welcome to all mothers. He then asked us to applaud Millie and Anne and all who readied the room for lunch, and Jane who took the reservations and will pay the bills. They were applauded. He then ran down the list of cities in Canada, California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas from which members had come a long way to be present. Members were then asked to introduce their guests.

It was moved, seconded, and passed that the minutes of the 1982 Annual Meeting be accepted as published and that their reading be omitted. Moncure then proceeded with :

"The next duty I have is to announce with considerable regret the retirement as secretary of Martha Jefferson Taylor Stedman, otherwise known to us as Patsey, after 10 years of dutiful service, each represented by one of these Annual Reports. And if you go back through them, you can see what Patsey has been through as far as our written work is concerned.

"Some of the things that have gone on through her tenure were the clarification of our membership, the accurate publishing of new [membership] rolls, the exchange of land parcels between the Foundation and our family, the expansion and renovation of our graveyard enclosure, the continual up- dating -very accurately done -of our family genealogy, of names and ad- dresses, and of membership lists. There has been a standard of excellence in the performance of her duties that will make it difficult for anyone coming behind her to follow in her footsteps, but we have a very capable person who volunteered to do so.

"One of the things that Patsey has done through the years is work with a number of new presidents and vice-presidents, gotten along with, guided and trained them, and that in itself is a job it is practically impossible to do. "In short, she has been a mainstay of our family business for 10 years with a devotion that is to be admired by all. So may we have a rousing ovation for Patsey ."

The Secretary gratefully acknowledged this heartwarming tribute but finally motioned for it to cease so that she could proceed with the

SECRETARY'S REPORT

"The following sent their greetings with regrets that they must be absent: Francis Higginson, Sadie and Bob Kean, Jack and Slater Lamond, William (Bill) Ruffin, III, Alis and Colston Taylor, Janice and Tom Waring, and Patty Wetherbee.

"Based on a quick tally made several days ago (But to be updated on June 15), our current member count is: 623 regular, of whom 451 are adult and 172 junior; 164 associate plus the six more to be elected today. These, plus our five honorary members, total 798, a net gain of 19 over last year. We are pleased to report 37 new regular members -18 adults and 19 juniors. Many of these are the result of a one-man campaign put on by Carey Bankhead who sent out 42 letters urging membership in the Association and attendance at its meetings to descendants of Anne Cary Randolph Bankhead. Twenty-two of her descendants plus nine of their spouses are here this weekend.

"Several of the new members are here today and we'd like each to stand as the name is read. They are: Anne Hutchison Beauchamp, Janet Hutchison Glenn, Richard Hamilton, Mrs. Everett Bell (Patte) Hutchison (an associate member-to-be), Mary Hutchison, Susan Hutchison, Betsy Mackey, and John Mitchell. The Reverend Mr. Hal Hutchison was here earlier but had to leave. And now would each 'old' member who has never before attended a meeting please stand and give your name. [See roll call list for those we think constituted this group.]

"This is perhaps the best time to remind you that husbands and wives of members, as well as adopted- and step-children are eligible for associate membership, but each must be nominated and elected at an annual meeting. If any member wishes to make such a nomination today, please do so now, in writing, to Tom Ruffin, our membership chairman. [Nominations for next year should be sent to the secretary in time for next year's meeting.]

"The last Annual Report to carry a complete list of members was that for 1978. On October 27, 1979, your Executive Committee resolved that such a list be published at five-year intervals and that in the other four years we publish only those names to be added, deleted, or changed. The 1983 Annual Report will carry a complete membership list. Material reaching me by June first can be included.

"This will be the eleventh Annual Report for which I have been responsible. The task would have been almost impossible without the help of my husband for the three years before his death, and since then without that of a college classmate, Elizabeth Cook. I am grateful for the benefits of their editorial and proofreading skills.

"Officially, I shall cease being your secretary today; actually, I shall continue at the job until the 1983 Annual Report is in the mail- end of August or early September. I shall miss the contacts that I have had with so many of you, but it is time for someone else to have that pleasure and for me to put my house in better order. I have complete confidence in the person who has accepted the nomination for election to take my place. Please help her by keeping her promptly informed of all changes of names and locations occurring in your families."

TREASURER'S REPORT

"From January 1, 1982 to December 31, 1982, four Life Memberships were received, totaling $600. Also received was a $l00-contribution to the Trust Fund.

"Because of the extremely weak condition of the checking account in late December, your Treasurer forwarded only one Life Membership and the Trust Fund contribution to the Trust Fund in early 1983.

"As of March 31, 1983, the First Variable Rate Fund, which is where the prepublication sales of Collected Papers. .., Vol. II monies have been in- vested, now has a balance of $4,972.66. During 1982, F.V.R.F. paid 12.14% on a compounded basis. In the first quarter of 1983 the rate had decreased to 7.8%. Because of the expected payments to the printer of Collected Papers. .., Vol. II, your Treasurer deemed it inadvisable to change the investment.

"Paid membership is in satisfactory condition compared with the previous year, 1982. So far in 1983, the dues for 338 adults and 131 juniors are paid up.

"Special thanks should be on record for the contribution made by Jack Taylor (J.C.R.T., V), who has a printing concern in Austin, Texas. He provided a two year supply of large and small envelopes, bill heads, and address labels at no cost to the Association."

FINANCE CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

The Statement of Account, which appears on page 17, indicates that the market value of the Trust Fund on April 15, 1983, was $19,310.45. This represents an increase in value of $3,217.63 over the figure for the same date in 1982.

According to the way in which the Trust Fund was set up, interest from it can be withdrawn by the Treasurer to supplement the Association's annual income when such need arises. The principal cannot be withdrawn without a resolution adopted by the membership at an annual meeting. As of April 1 5, 1983, the accrued interest in the Fund was estimated by Mr. Howard to be $4,648.

COLLECTED PAPERS, VOL. II, REPORT

George Green Shackelford reported as follows: "Because of difficulties in arranging financing and of late submission of several chapters, publication and distribution are delayed until May of 1984 at the time of the Annual Meeting. The volume will contain about 350 pages. Heritage Printers of Charlotte, North Carolina, will manufacture the book for us and ship us 800 copies. This is the financial picture:

"We have contracted to pay Heritage Printers a total of $10,160 in four installments. The first installment has been paid. We anticipate incurring additional expenses for contingencies such as alterations, extras, storage, and postage. I shall be happy to discuss any of these items privately, after the meeting.

"Brochures are available from me or from the Secretary. I suggest you buy an extra copy and present it to your local library ."

Moncure then paid high tribute to George, who refused to give up or be unduly discouraged when expected funding did not materialize and when promised chapters were not written. He has consulted constantly with the Executive Committee and kept each member informed of progress; he will continue to do so concerning plans for storage and distribution.

HISTORIAN'S REPORT

Bob Coolidge reported thus: ..The text of the Jefferson genealogy was placed in the hands of the editor of Vol. II of the Collected Papers of the Monticello Association last June in anticipation of its publication this spring. Because the publication has been delayed, I have been told that I may continue to receive additional information up to the first of June of this year, at which time I shall make a list of all additions and corrections and send it to the editor, who will see that they are incorporated in the text that is sent to the printer. I hope that the printed version will be computerized, so that in future a complete genealogy can be published at any time without all the work of compiling and collating the new data.

'Page Taylor Kirk, who died on May first, was our oldest member at the time of her death and probably the oldest living descendant. She was 98 on January 25 of this year-

"Although my own historical field is the Middle Ages, and it is not part of my job as Historian to be an expert on Jefferson, I have been reading up on him, and yesterday I decided to try and find out precisely what he was doing 200 years ago. I did not expect to be able to find out precisely where he was and what he was doing on May 7, 1783, but in looking into the first volume of Dumas Malone's biography, page 40 I, I found a reference to a letter he wrote to James Madison on that day, telling him he was just about to leave Tuckahoe to go to Monticello to begin working on the first draft of the Virginia Constitution. Presumably he arrived at Monticello on the evening of that day, perhaps at about the time we were drinking our punch. Today he would probably be sitting in his library working on the Constitution or arranging his books, since at this time he was also working on the first catalogue of his library , which showed 2640 books."

CUSTODIAN'S REPORT

Jane Rotch reported as follows:  "Since last year's Annual Meeting there has been one burial and we expect another next week. Helen Isaacs Coolidge was buried in August, 1982, and Page Taylor Kirk's ashes will be interred next week. Otherwise, it has been a quiet year .

"I'd like to mention two obvious 'bare spots.' That near the grave of Sarah N. Randolph is the result of honeysuckle pulling, intended to give the ivy a better chance to grow. We hope to have the area around Mary Stewart's grave in good order by the fall. We have decided to mend the broken stone and to place it horizontally on a simple stone foundation so that it will be parallel with the two adjoining grave markers (those of Louis and Sophie Leschot). This should help preserve the stone without creating any additional problems for workers mowing with machines. Having failed to get the broken stub of the gravestone out of the ground in two or three attempts, I am enlisting help from the gravestone company what will be providing for the new foundation.

"I'd like to repeat an announcement I've made before and remind all cousins that I keep an 'Expressed Preference for Grave Sites List.' Since all of us have equal rights in the graveyard there is no 'guarantee' possible of burial in a particular place, but we do the best we can to satisfy people's preferences. The nearest we can come to a promise is the likelihood that you can be buried next to an already-interred spouse!

"There are no fees involved in burial in the graveyard (although contributions are always welcomed). The Association can provide no services beyond our basic responsibility for care and upkeep of the graveyard. We are glad to furnish the names of two local firms that have done satisfactory work for family members in the past:

[Info out of date – wm]

"All graves in our graveyard must be dug by hand, as machinery does not fit. Hill and Wood has been able to find gravediggers in the past for family members. When burying ashes some family members have chosen to dig the grave themselves. In all cases, the Custodian must be consulted as to the exact measured space assigned. I go up to the graveyard to show the funeral service representatives (or family members) exactly where the space is and mark the area for digging.

"One last note; I encourage all cousins who are interested in being buried in the Association 's graveyard to let me know if you want your name to be placed on our list. We accept preference statements from only one generation for itself- that is, a parent does not ask for spaces for his or her children, but each generation asks for itself." (See page 2 for the Custodian's address and telephone number.)

MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

Tom Ruffin stated that it is the overall goal of his committee to unite the family. He commended the Works brothers and Randy Taylor for setting up the Saturday evening dinner and Carey Bankhead for attracting so many of his family to this year's festivities. He then nominated the following for Associate Membership :

Margaret A. P. Gamble -adopted daughter of Amy Goodbody Patterson
Jean T. Hamilton -wife of Richard E. Hamilton
Virginia C. Hutchison -widow of Everett H. Hutchison
Frances E. D. J. McMurdo -wife of Robert M. McMurdo
Janet H. Mackay-Smith -wife of Francis H. Mackay-Smith
Margaret A. Mitchell -wife of John W. Mitchell

It was moved, seconded, and passed that those six be elected. Mesdames Hamilton, Hutchison, and Mitchell were present and were asked to stand.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT

Gerald Morgan, who has served the family for many years in many ways, presented the following slate of officers for election to serve until May 6, 1984: President, Lowell Carey Bankhead, Jr.; Vice -President, Thomas Randolph Ruffin; Secretary, Martha Jefferson Taylor Raper; Treasurer, William Leigh Taylor; Historian, Robert Tytus Coolidge. It was moved, seconded, and passed that the slate be accepted, and that the Secretary be instructed to cast an unanimous ballot for that slate. It was so ordered.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Moncure told of a drainage problem that exists on the south and west sides of the graveyard. After discussion with the Executive Committee in October, he found an able Albemarle contractor who has estimated that he can procure and install drainage pipe in a gravel-filled ditch for approximately $600. This is well within the budget of the Custodian. The Executive Committee, in session on May seventh, asked Moncure to go ahead with the project. It will reduce deterioration of the fence on both sides of the southwest corner.

The Trust Fund, started in 1952 by Robert Kean and John Byrd Taylor, is in good shape. The decision, made several years ago, to keep about two thirds of the Fund principal in the Common Trust Fund #1 of the First & Merchants National Bank and that bank's Money Market Fund (#6), has proved satisfactory. The return has been better than had all the principal been invested in either fund alone. It is our privilege to ask at any time that the ratio of 2: 1 be altered. All earnings are now reinvested immediately. The bank's trust officer, Louis Howard, has our interests at heart; the fee charged last year of $170 was less than we would have paid elsewhere for such service.

Moncure reiterated assurance that Collected Papers. .., Vol. II will be ready for distribution by May of 1984. He added the information that competitive bids were obtained from two printers as the result of Executive Committee advice and guidance. The editor has been advised by the Executive Committee to make arrangements for storage and distribution of the volumes. George Green was again complimented for his persistence and devotion to duty.

Moncure then delivered the following "Good Neighbors" speech: "The only other thing I have to share with you is that not too long ago I had a dream. I dreamed that I had met my demise. I was being carried up the mountain to Monticello, and somewhere in the background there was a Dixie land band playing -of the New Orleans jazz band type.

"I arrived at the graveyard, and I don't know spiritually what my state was, and I don't know if it was up here or down there; let's just say I was in a state of limbo. There was a large gentleman about seven feet tall in the dream with a stove-pipe hat and a black morning coat and shoes, a white shirt -snow white, a string tie and a complexion to match his shirt. He looked across the graveyard as if he had known everyone who had been there and would ever be there. He looked down at me, and he said, 'poor, poor fellow; he didn't even know his neighbors.'

"I awoke from that dream with a start, because knowing our neighbors is what I believe the very foundation of this Association is about. From the time I was a small boy, my immediate family lived in eight states for one year or longer. I've been a member of all sorts of groups -civic groups, fraternal groups, church groups, business groups, and every kind imaginable; but I know of no finer group of people than those seated in this room.

"I feel that knowing each other in today's society represents a new challenge that wasn't here years back when I was a boy. This is the day of the computer chip replacing a room full of wires, the day of space travel when man circles the earth in an hour's time, when the average American family watches television for six and a half hours a day; moral and social values have changed tremendously in the past few years. So, it is difficult to preserve the integrity that we have established as a family.

"You are capable of doing this, and if you will work with your executive committee in expanding the activities, we don't have to change one iota of what has meant so much to all of you. Indeed, this floor has been the forum for honest differences of opinion, agreements, and important decisions, and hopefully it will continue to be in the future.

"I have enjoyed the experience; it has been an honor to serve you. With- out further ado, I would like to present the Frank Walker gavel, fashioned of Monticello oak from the Monticello graveyard, to Carey Bankhead, the current mayor of Higbee, Missouri, and the new president of the Monticello Association." A standing ovation followed this speech.

Carey thanked the Association for doing him the honor of asking him to become its president, and recalled the day in 1976 when John Byrd Taylor asked him to serve on the membership committee. He asked that we join him in expressing our thanks to Monty for a job well done, saying that no recent president has worked so hard to further the care of the graveyard. The family expressed its concurrence with enthusiastic applause.

NEW BUSINESS

Carey then announced the following presidential appointees to serve from May 8, 1983, to May 6, 1984: Custodian, Jane Whitehill Rotch; Interment, E. Colston Taylor, Jr., Chairman, Moncure R. Taylor, II, Frank S. Walker, Jr., and Jane Rotch (ex officio); Hospitality, Mildred Taylor Farmer, Chairman, Randolph E. Taylor, and Anne Randolph Barnes (advisor); Membership, David A. Works, Chairman, Anne Cary Williston Nowlin, and Michael E. Bankhead; Nominating, Gerald Morgan, Jr., Chairman, William R. Ruffin, III, and Robert M. Gillespie; Finance, Thomas R. Ruffin, Chairman, Charles A. Erickson, and John H. Works, Jr.; Collected Papers. .., George G. Shackelford, Chairman, Olivia A. Taylor, Robert T. Coolidge, Sidney M. Ruffin, and Martha Taylor Raper (ex officio); Records Computerization, John H. Works, Jr., Chairman, Thomas R. Ruffin, W. Leigh Taylor, Sara Ruffin Kennerley, Robert T. Coolidge, and Martha Taylor Raper.

At the request of the president, the treasurer then presented the following budget for 1984: President, $50; Vice-President, $25; Secretary, $1,500; Treasurer, $300; Custodian, $1,300; Historian, $100; Membership, $150; Insurance, $300; Collected Papers. ..(contingency), $1,000. This budget of $4,725 was approved by a motion that was seconded and passed. Leigh pled that all who have not paid their current and back dues do so promptly.- He urged that all who can afford it make contributions in addition to dues, emphasizing that it is because of contributions that we are able to hold the annual dues sufficiently low so that virtually no one need forego membership for financial reasons.

Harold Coolidge then expressed his pleasure over the handsome appearance of the fence and wished especially to compliment the person responsible for the beautifully painted medallions. He was told that Mary Betts Anderson had made several trips down from Washington to do that job; applause for her followed. Moncure added the information that the paint on the medallions as well as the brass collars have received a protective coating that should preserve their good looks for some years.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:55 P.M.

NOTE: We expect to meet in 1984 on May 5 and 6.

Respectfully submitted,
Martha J. T. Stedman, Secretary