Beschreibung:

JEFFERSON, Thomas. Autograph document (unsigned, but Jefferson's name appears in full in text four times), signed by John Watson and David J. Lewis Justices of the Peace, a legal instrument docketed by Jefferson ("Warrant for restitution"), CONTAINING SOME 315 WORDS IN JEFFERSON'S HAND. Albemarle County [Virginia], accomplished 30 July 1812. 1¼ pages, 4to, the two leaves separated at central fold, neat minor repairs at fold edges (without loss). THOMAS JEFFERSON ATTORNEY AT LAW, EVICTS SQUATTERS FROM HIS LANDS Although Jefferson had studied law at William & Mary with George Wythe, "from the beginning he was probably more interested in the study of law than the practice" (Malone) and only practiced between 1767 and 1771. Consequently, legal documents drafted by him are relatively rare, especially in the years after his terms as President. The document involves lands on the Rivanna River near Charlottesville which Jefferson had inherited from Peter Jefferson. Here, "Thomas Jefferson of Monticello" has meticulously drafted a warrant for restitution for the use of the justices of the peace in Albemarle County, leaving certain blank portions to be filled in by them. By this warrant, "by virtue of the statute made and provided in cases of forcible entry and detainer," Jefferson seeks to reclaim possession of certain lands he owned "situate in the parish of St. Anne's and county," and "between the town of Milton and the Rivanna river,' which had been occupied by squatters. The squatters, "David Michie with others to the jurors unknown did enter, & him the sd. Thomas Jefferson thereof did disservice & put out from the aforesaid lands" and "with strong hand did keep out, & do yet keep out.." Therefore, "we charge and command you, that, taking with you the power of the county [magistrates or marshals?], if necessary, you go to the sd. lands" and "cause to be reseized, and that you cause the sd. Thomas Jefferson to be restored & put into his full possession thereof according to the form of the sd. Statute." To implement Jefferson's warrant, the Albemarle County Justices of the Peace filled in the names of some 20 individuals who had testified to the facts of his claim; once completed and signed, it was passed to the Albemarle County sheriff for execution. A lengthy docket on page 4 records that the property has been delivered to David Higginbotham, "tenant and Attorney in fact, for the within named Thomas Jefferson "