Field Jefferson (March 16, 1702 - February 10, 1765) was Thomas Jefferson's uncle, the older brother of his father, Peter Jefferson.[1] He was the third child of Thomas Jefferson (1677-1731) and Mary Field Jefferson (1679-1715).
Born on his father's plantation "Osbornes" in Henrico County, he probably married his first wife, Mary Frances Robertson, around 1730. Several years later, Jefferson moved his family to what was then Brunswick County, near the border with North Carolina, where he established his plantation "Occaneechee."
[2]
Field Jefferson was elected as one of "twelve of the most able and discreet persons" to serve on the vestry of Cumberland Parish in the newly-created Lunenburg County. He also served as a justice of the Lunenburg County court from 1749 to 1752. After his first wife died in 1750, Field Jefferson remarried in 1753 to Mary Allen (nee Hunt), "of Albemarle County." He died on February 10, 1765 at the age of 62, leaving considerable property.
Children of Field Jefferson and Mary Frances Robertson
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Thomas Jefferson (Abt. 1730-1783). Never married. Field Jefferson's will leaves this son "Ten Pounds curr[ent] money annually during his natural life to be laid out by my other sons toward buying his necessary clothes and fifteen Pounts Curr[ent] Money immediately after my death to pay the Rights & Pattent Fees of what Lands he has taken up in Albemarle and Amherst Countys if I shall not do it in my life time."
[3] (President) Thomas Jefferson's early legal records contain a reference to lands in Albemarle County "Surv[eye]d about 1746. By Th: Jefferson who becoming lunatic did not make out the works."
[4] He might have been referring to this same cousin when he wrote to Benjamin Rush in 1811, "a near relation and namesake of mine, who after many years of madness of the first degree, became entirely sane, & amused himself to a good old age in keeping school; was an excellent teacher, & much valued citizen."
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Peterfield Jefferson (March 14, 1735-January 1, 1794) married Elizabeth Allen (1739-1828). Moved to Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
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Frances Jefferson (Abt. 1738-bef. 1762) married Henry Deloney.
- George Jefferson (Abt. 1739-1780) married Elizabeth Garland (1745-?). Moved to Anson County and later Richmond County, North Carolina.
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Judith Jefferson (Abt. 1740-bef. October 18, 1775) married Arthur Hopkins. Moved to Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
- Mary Jefferson (Abt. 1741-?) married William Nichols.
- John Robertson Jefferson (Abt. 1743-November 28, 1809) married Elizabeth Broome.
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Phoebe Jefferson (Abt. 1745-1830) married Alexander Clark (?-1782). Moved to Chatham County, North Carolina.
- Anna Berkes, 11/10/09; revised 9/15/25