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Cherries

Monticello researchers have compiled the following primary source references to cherries from Thomas Jefferson's papers:

AnchorPrimary Source References

Undated. (Mary Randolph). "LEMONADE ICED. Make a quart of rich lemonade, whip the whites of six fresh eggs to a strong froth—mix them well with the lemonade, and freeze it. The juice of morello cherries, or currants mixed with water and sugar, make very delicate ices."[1]

Undated. (Jane Blair Cary Smith). "Led by Mr. Jefferson, who climbed the cherry trees and threw into our aprons and hats the luscious bunches of cherries ...."[2]

Undated. "Cherries dried. May or Sugar 11 lbs. Morella 15 do. Kentish 2 do. Black 1-3/4 do. 30 lbs."[3]

1770 [c. March 1]. "Plant raspberries—gooseberries—currans—strawberries—asparagus—artichokes—fill up trees—sow grass—henhouse—cherry tree—Lucerne—road—waggoning wood and sand—lop cherry trees."[4]

1772 May 31. "Mrs. Jefferson’s receipts & paiments ... Pd. for cherries 3¾d."[5]

1774 May 14. (Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson). "eat cherries at monticello."[6]

1784 April 5. "Pd. ... 5 qts. bottled cherries 10/."[7]

1816 March 5. (Jefferson to James Barbour). "I send however cuttings of the Carnation cherry so superior to all others that no other deserves the name of cherry."[8]

References

  1. ^ Mary Randolph, The Virginia Housewife, or, Methodical Cook, stereotype ed. with amendments and additions (Baltimore: Plaskitt & Cugle, 1828), 146. For additional references to cherries, see pages 125, 159, 161, 171,  172.
  2. ^ Jane Blair Cary Smith, "The Carysbrook Memoir," The Carys of Virginia, ca. 1864, Accession #1378, Special Collections, University of Virginia Library
  3. ^ Special Collections, University of Virginia Library. This note appears on a sheet with a list of "house lined at Monto."
  4. ^ MB, 1:31. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  5. ^ MB, 1:300. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  6. ^ Martha Jefferson's Household Accounts, Series 7, Vol. 1, Thomas Jefferson Papers, Library of Congress. The manuscript page with Mrs. Jefferson's reference to cherries is available online.
  7. ^ MB, 1:545. Transcription available at Founders Online.
  8. ^ PTJ:RS, 9:532-33. Transcription available at Founders Online.

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