Peter Jefferson was a planter, cartographer, and politician in colonial Virginia best known for being the father of the third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson.
14 Facts About Peter Jefferson
1.
2.
Peter Jefferson had several brothers and sisters including Judith Jefferson who married George Farrar, Thomas Jefferson, and Field Jefferson.
3.
Peter Jefferson's father died when he was 24 years of age.
4.
Peter Jefferson did not receive any formal education while young, but according to his son Thomas Jefferson, he nevertheless "read much and improved himself" and provided for education for his children.
5.
Peter Jefferson's residence, called Fine Creek Manor, was in present-day Powhatan County, Virginia near Fine Creek.
6.
Peter Jefferson was a sheriff, surveyor, and justice of the peace.
7.
In 1734, Peter Jefferson claimed the land in present-day Albemarle County, Virginia, which he eventually named Shadwell.
8.
Peter Jefferson married Jane Randolph, daughter of Isham Randolph and granddaughter of William Randolph, in 1739.
9.
Peter Jefferson built a house on the Shadwell tract, after his wife's birthplace, in 1741 or 1742.
10.
Jane and Peter Jefferson offered a privileged life for their family whether in established areas of eastern Virginia or, later, as they settled in the Shadwell plantation of the Piedmont.
11.
In 1752, Peter Jefferson returned to Shadwell, which was improved to include a mill along the Rivanna River.
12.
In 1757, Peter Jefferson died at Shadwell, and his land was divided between his two sons, young Thomas and Randolph.
13.
Peter Jefferson was among the initial settlers of Albemarle County, Virginia in 1737 and acquired property over the years to farm tobacco.
14.
The detailed Fry-Peter Jefferson Map, cited by his son Thomas in his 1781 book Notes on the State of Virginia, was produced by him and Fry.