Episode 8 - An Indifferent Game Of Chess

Ellen Wayles Randolph (Coolidge) to Martha Jefferson Randolph, Washington, 14 Dec. 1821 In which Thomas Jefferson's granddaughter Ellen (the one with brittle teeth) absolutely eviscerates an unfortunate suitor in a letter to her mom. Also, "Mountains will be in labor, and an absurd mouse will be born." -Horace, Ars Poetica. Many thanks to this week's guest, Kate Johnson! Kate is an archival assistant at the University of Northern Colorado and public historian extraordinaire. Further Reading: The text of this week's letter can be found here: http://tjrs.monticello.org/letter/906 Ellen's sister Virginia writing to her fiance: http://tjrs.monticello.org/letter/904 Ellen's letter to Thomas Jefferson: https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/98-01-02-2500 Madame De Neuville: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Marguerite_Hyde_de_Neuville as an artist: https://emuseum.nyhistory.org/objects/42102/selfportrait-17711849?ctx=1c92a5ceecfb354ff0776a8f6362e24936a66af7&idx=22