Gambling
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Thomas Jefferson's account books record a number of wagers dating from the 1760s into the 1780s. Later in life, Jefferson expressed moral doubts about games of chance.[1]
Primary Source References
1768 August 20. "Won shooting 1/6."[2]
1769 March 18. "Lost with R. Harvie at cross & pyle 1/."[3]
1769 March 24. "Lost with J. Madison at Pitchers 1/3."[4]
1769 June 21. "Lost at pitchers with T. Bowyer 7½d."[5]
1769 June 23. "Lost with Mr. Madison at pitchers 7½d."[5]
1769 September 30. "Lost shooting at Moon's muster 2/6."[7]
Artifacts excavated along Monticello's Mulberry Row, including dominoes and clay marbles
1770 July 11. "Lost at backgammon 1/3."[8]
1770 November 21. "Won at Backgammon 7½d."[9]
1771 March 23. "Lost at backgammon 7/6."[10]
1771 July 23. "Won at cross and pyle 3¾d."[11]
1771 August 22. "Won at backgammon 7½d."[12]
1771 August 30. "Won of TMRandolph at Backgammon 1/3."[12]
1778 March 17. "Won of do. 1/3."[14]
1785 October 23. "Lost at lotto at Sanois 18s."[15]
- compiled by Lucia Stanton, 10/94
References
- ^ Thoughts on Lotteries, ca. January 20, 1826, Thomas Jefferson Papers, Library of Congress. Transcription available at Founders Online.
- ^ MB, 1:81. Transcription available at Founders Online.
- ^ MB, 1:139. Transcription available at Founders Online. Cross & pyle is a coin tossing game.
- ^ MB, 1:140. Transcription available at Founders Online. Pitchers is a game where coins, stones, or horseshoes are thrown at a target.
- ^ MB, 1:144. Transcription available at Founders Online.
- ^ MB, 1:144. Transcription available at Founders Online.
- ^ MB, 1:150. Transcription available at Founders Online.
- ^ MB, 1:206. Transcription available at Founders Online.
- ^ MB, 1:212. Transcription available at Founders Online.
- ^ MB, 1:252. Transcription available at Founders Online.
- ^ MB, 1:257. Transcription available at Founders Online.
- ^ MB, 1:259. Transcription available at Founders Online.
- ^ MB, 1:259. Transcription available at Founders Online.
- ^ MB, 1:461. Transcription available at Founders Online.
- ^ MB, 1:598. Transcription available at Founders Online.