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Whiskey

Though well-known as a wine connoisseur, Thomas Jefferson refrained from the consumption of more potent beverages. "The ardent wines I cannot drink," he wrote to Doctor Vine Utley in 1819, "nor do I use ardent spirits in any form."[1] The following entries from Jefferson’s memorandum books, however, indicate that purchases of whiskey were regularly made for workmen and for "the plantation."

- Monticello Library Staff, 2010, updated 2016.

Primary Source References

1774 April 9. "Sent for whiskey 2/6."[2]

1777 June 24. "Charge John Brewer 1 1/2 galls. whiskey delivd. him by T. Garth 7/6."[3]

1781 June 12. "Pd. for whiskey for negroes at Capt. Martin's 16/."[4]

1781 November 8. "Recd. of John Beckley for 20. galls. whiskey £2400."[5]

1782 May 3. "Rye carrd. to Mrs. Meriwether's to be distilled 119. bush. from Shadwell. 58. bush. from Monticello."[6]

1783 January 29. "Pd. do. at Ewen's £5-2-2 ferrge. Peach bottom 25/ whiskey 8d."[7]

1783 July 14. "Charge Will Beck 3. galls. whiskey."[8]

1805 March 27. "Inclosed to G. Divers by Jack 108.87 his acct. for whiskey to the workmen & plantation . . . ."[9]

1808 August 26. "Pd. E. Bacon for purchase of whiskey 3.50."[10]

1810 July 10. "Paid, thro' E. Bacon, for 10. galls. whiskey 7.50."[11]

1811 September 25. "Analysis of my store acct. with Higginbotham from Aug. 1. 1810 to Aug. 1. 1811. . . . whiskey 8-12-6 28 3/4 galls. @ 6/."[12]

1812 December 2. "1 Gallon Whiskey [per] do 75."[13]

1813 January 14. "3 1/2 Gallons Whiskey 3.50."[14]

1813 March 25. "14 1/2 quarts Whiskey [per] note 3/63."[14]

1813 May 29. "3 1/2 Gallons Whiskey [per] do. 3.50."[16]

1815 June 20. "Drew on Gibson & Jefferson for 26.35 in favr. Wm. Fitz for 31. galls. whiskey @ .85."[17]

Further Sources

References

  1. ^ Jefferson to Utley, March 21, 1819, in PTJ:RS, 14:156-58. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  2. ^ MB, 1:372. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  3. ^ MB, 1:448. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  4. ^ MB, 1:511. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  5. ^ MB, 1:515. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  6. ^ MB, 1:519. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  7. ^ MB, 1:527. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  8. ^ MB, 1:532. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  9. ^ MB, 2:1150. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  10. ^ MB, 2:1230. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  11. ^ MB, 2:1258. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  12. ^ MB, 2:1268. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  13. ^ Jefferson Account with David Higginbotham, August 1, 1813, in PTJ:RS, 6:344. Manuscript available at Thomas Jefferson Papers, Massachusetts Historical Society. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  14. ^ Ibid., 6:346.
  15. ^ Ibid., 6:346.
  16. ^ Ibid., 6:347.
  17. ^ MB, 2:1311. Transcription available at Founders Online.

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