Did Martha Visit Jefferson in Philadelphia

From Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia

In the 1969 Broadway musical 1776, Martha Jefferson was sent for by John Adams to visit her husband, Thomas. This is historically inaccurate. Martha Jefferson was too ill to visit Thomas while he was serving as a delegate from Virginia in the Continential Congress in 1776. She remained at Monticello while her husband was in Philadelphia.

Also noted in the musical is the fact that the Jeffersons were newlyweds. This is also incorrect. Thomas and Martha Jefferson were married on January 1, 1772.

Further Sources

• Stone, Peter. 1776: A Musical Play. New York: Penguin Books, 1976.
• 1776. Burbank, CA: Columbia TriStar Home Video, 1998, c1972.