Social distinctions were strictly observed at that day, but Peter Jefferson broke through them and married a daughter of the Randolph family.

Thomas, the third child and oldest son of this marriage, was born at Shadwell, his father’s estate, on the 2d of April, 1743.  The characteristics of the sire descended to the son, the physical attributes in milder, and the intellectual in more active forms.  Like many men of his class, Peter Jefferson had perhaps an undue sense of the obstacles he had encountered through lack of education, and was careful to provide for that of his children.  As soon as possible, Thomas was sent to school, and when nine years old, under the tuition of a Scottish clergyman, he was introduced to the study of Latin, Greek, and French.  His father died when he was fourteen years old, leaving a considerable estate, and particular directions that Thomas should receive a thorough classical training.  The executor had some doubt as to whether it would be prudent to send the lad to college in obedience to the paternal request; whereupon Thomas addressed him in a little argument, which is a curious exhibition of the proclivities of his mind.  In the mathematical manner which afterwards became common with him, he urged that at home he would lose one fourth of his time on account of the company which was attracted by his presence, and that entertaining so many guests would be a heavier charge upon the estate than the expense of his residence at Williamsburg.

The young disputant prevailed, and, in 1760, he was sent to William and Mary College.  He remained there two years.  His acquirements, during this time, though probably not so great as Mr. Randall would have us believe, must have been large.  He had equal aptitude for the classics and mathematics.  In the latter his proficiency was remarkable, and he always retained his taste for it.  Though never a critical classical scholar, he could read Latin with ease.  He was conversant with French, and had some familiarity with Greek.  In later life he studied Anglo-Saxon and Italian.  But Jefferson terminated his collegiate course with a possession far more valuable than all the learning he could gather in the narrow curriculum of a colonial college; study had excited in him that eager thirst for knowledge which is an appetite of the mind almost as unconquerable as the appetites of the body.

After leaving college, he remained at Williamsburg, and entered the office of Mr. Wyeth, a leader at the Virginia bar.  Williamsburg was the capital and the centre of the most refined society of the province.  Francis Fauquier was governor.  He was an Englishman, of distinguished family, who had lost a large property in a single night’s play, and had taken the appointment to Virginia to repair his fortunes.  To some of the vices and most of the accomplishments of a man of the world he added fine talents and many solid attainments.  He was, withal, a skilful musician and a fascinating conversationist.  Mr.