Letter, Martha Jefferson to Frances Tucker, August 8, 1780

This letter was part of a campaign by women throughout the colonies to raise money and make clothing for the soldiers of the Continental Army during their suffering in winterquarters. Thomas Jefferson’s wife Martha was placed in charge of the effort in Virginia at the suggestion of Martha Washington. This letter is one of few surviving in Martha Jefferson’s hand; after her death two years later Thomas Jefferson destroyed her correspondence (image courtesy of Swem Library, College of William & Mary).

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