Jefferson's Original Tombstone

From Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia

Thomas Jefferson's original tombstone is no longer on Jefferson's grave.

The original tombstone was erected in the family graveyard at Monticello in 1833. Since Jefferson's death it suffered damage at the hands of visitors as they chipped off pieces for souvenirs. The owner of Monticello at the time, Uriah Phillips Levy, moved it to the home of Thomas Jefferson Randolph where it remained until it was sent to the University of Missouri.

Once it was decided to replace the tombstone, Jefferson's descendants received many requests for the original marker. The University of Missouri was one of them. There are a few reasons why it went there. Missouri was a major state in the Louisiana Purchase, the university was the first in that state, and finally, there were many transplanted Virginians in Missouri. The original tombstone was unveiled at the university on July 4, 1885 and it is now on the Francis Quadrangle. The tombstone at Monticello today is a replica of the original.

See Also

• Jefferson's Achievements
• Monticello Graveyard
• Old Style

Further Sources

• Kean, Robert H. "History of the Graveyard at Monticello." In Shackelford, Descendants, 3-26.
• Leepson, Marc, Saving Monticello: The Levy Family's Epic Quest to Rescue the House that Jefferson Built. New York: Free Press, 2001.
• University of Missouri. Seven Wonders of Mizzou. http://atmizzou.missouri.edu/sep07/SevenWonders.htm. This page features a photograph of Thomas Jefferson's old tombstone.