Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was a son of a man who owned a large plantation in Virginia. He loved his home dearly. His fathers' was Peter Jefferson. His mothers' name was Jane. He was born in 1693. They were so rich, they had their own school who Thomas, his siblings, and his cousins attended. They learned reading, writing, and arithmetic there. When school was out they loved to hunt in the near by mountain. Thomas learned to ride young.
When ton was 14, unfortunately he lost his father. He attended college three years later. School was one of his favorite things. He went to the College of William and Mary. He was studying law and soon was ready to be a lawyer. In 1769 He was elected representative to the legislature. Thomas went to the Virginia capital to work. He made the laws for Virginia. He picked an important time to be a lawyer. Many colonist were not happy with the way England ruled them. The taxes were unfair. In April of 1775 they prepared for war. George Washington was a leader of their side of the war.
As a member of the Congress, Tom was young, and had many useful ideas. They decided since he had so many useful ideas and was smart, he should be the one to help write The Declaration of Independence. So John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas, gathered to write. They decided to write that every body was equal and they al had rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Next he tried to free slaves. But he only ended up freeing few.
In 1779 Thomas was elected Governor of Virginia. That was a bad time to be governor. The war with England went on nonstop. George Washington did not have hardly enough people to fight.
In 1781, the new year began with the English landing a fierce army in Virginia. The army was led by Benedict Arnold. They burned the capital of Richmond. Jefferson had to run to keep his life. This was not the only time the English almost had him. General Cornwallis came from North Carolina with his 1,500 English soldiers. They joined the 4,00 men from Arnolds' army.
In the last fight, the English surrendered. They won the Revolutionary war.
Eight years before the war started, the English and the Americans signed a treaty. The English said they would send their army and navy back to England. The colonies were now states and the United States were now free. This pleased Jefferson. The war was over, so he could spend more time on his plantation with his girls. It was hard for them because their mother had died. They needed him dearly. His girls weren't the only ones who needed Jefferson. The United States needed a man like Jefferson. For five years he represented the United States. Then he agreed to help George Washington with the new government. Jefferson was elected Vice President when John Adams was President. He wanted to go home so bad, but that did not make a difference. He couldn't say no to the country he loved.
In 1801, Jefferson was elected the third President t o the United States of America. In the nations' capital, it was muddy and unfinished.
Some people didn't like his ways. They did not like that he wore slippers and old clothes. Jefferson was different, he did not act like he was better than anybody.
Thomas didn't want a big fuss made over his birthday. Two times, on New Years Eve and the Fourth of July. He opened the White house to anyone though.
Jefferson's best thing he did was President was bought the Louisiana Territory. They had twice as much land as before. Then, he sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark out to make maps of it. Commonly known as Lewis and Clark. Now any one could live or explore in the west. America was content.
Thomas didn't like war. Many wars were started with sailors and traders. So he stopped ships from going to other countries. Many sailors lost their job. This did not make sailors or traders happy.
In 1809 he finally went home. He fixed up his house and showed many people all the things he built. Some of the things he built were cannon ball clocks, a four sided music stand, and a swivel chair. Many people agreed that Thomas was a very clever man.
Near the end of Toms life he helped start the University of Virginia, drawing plans for the buildings, and helped plan what people would study there. Education was important to him. Everybody should have a good education. On July 4, 1826, Thomas died, 83 years old. We will always remember Thomas Jefferson.