Jefferson Dies: Declaration Author Gone on Its Anniversary
Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826 — the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. John Adams died the same day, within hours, in Massachusetts, unaware that Jefferson had gone that morning. Adams's last recorded words were 'Thomas Jefferson still survives.' Jefferson's last words, or close to them, were 'Is it the fourth?' He'd fought to stay alive long enough to see the anniversary. He died at Monticello, the house he designed and redesigned for 40 years, surrounded by grandchildren and enslaved people. His debts were so enormous that Monticello and most of its contents were auctioned immediately after his death. His enslaved people were sold at auction. His grandchildren left with almost nothing.
July 4, 1826
200 years ago
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