Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia

Gambling

Read list of references in Thomas Jefferson's writings on the subject of gambling.

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."6

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."13

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

Footnotes

  1. Thoughts on Lotteries, ca. January 20, 1826, Thomas Jefferson Papers, Library of Congress. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  2. MB, 1:81. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  3. MB, 1:139. Transcription available at Founders Online. Cross & pyle is a coin tossing game.
  4. MB, 1:140. Transcription available at Founders Online. Pitchers is a game where coins, stones, or horseshoes are thrown at a target.
  5. MB, 1:144. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  6. MB, 1:144. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  7. MB, 1:150. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  8. MB, 1:206. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  9. MB, 1:212. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  10. MB, 1:252. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  11. MB, 1:257. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  12. MB, 1:259. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  13. MB, 1:259. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  14. MB, 1:461. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  15. MB, 1:598. Transcription available at Founders Online.