Billiards - Revision history

ABerkes at 19:29, 2 June 2010

2010-06-02T19:29:05Z

←Older revision		Revision as of 19:29, 2 June 2010
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	Randolph says this information was given to her by a "member of Mr. Jefferson's family, who lived there for many years." Sarah Nicholas Randolph, the daughter of Thomas Jefferson Randolph, was born in 1839 and thus never lived at Monticello herself.		Randolph says this information was given to her by a "member of Mr. Jefferson's family, who lived there for many years." Sarah Nicholas Randolph, the daughter of Thomas Jefferson Randolph, was born in 1839 and thus never lived at Monticello herself.

-	This story was repeated and elaborated upon in 1899, in an account by Maud Howard Peterson of a visit to Monticello (then owned by [[Jefferson Monroe Levy]]:	+	This story was repeated and elaborated upon in 1899, in an account by Maud Howard Peterson of a visit to Monticello (then owned by [[Jefferson Monroe Levy]]):

	<blockquote>"On the third floor is the famous ballroom, built originally for billiards of which Jefferson was extremely fond. Scarcely was it completed, however, when he discovered, to his chagrin, that the game was prohibited by a law recently passed by the State Legislature. The story runs that some years earlier there lived within the borders of Virginia a very brilliant and promising young lawyer named John Marshall, who insisted on wasting his time on games of all sorts, and most especially on billiards...Finally some one suggested that a law should be enacted to suppress billiards, declaring that "Marshall would never break a law." The State Legislature, at the time, was composed largely of the young man's friends, and they passed the necessary bill...However, the fact remains that billiards were prohibited throughout Virginia; and Jefferson, with the calm philosophy that characterized so much of his life, made the best of a bad bargain, and the room was converted into a ballroom..."<ref>[[Short Title List\|Peterson, ''Visitors'']], 165-6. There is no evidence that the Dome Room was used as a ballroom, either.</ref></blockquote>		<blockquote>"On the third floor is the famous ballroom, built originally for billiards of which Jefferson was extremely fond. Scarcely was it completed, however, when he discovered, to his chagrin, that the game was prohibited by a law recently passed by the State Legislature. The story runs that some years earlier there lived within the borders of Virginia a very brilliant and promising young lawyer named John Marshall, who insisted on wasting his time on games of all sorts, and most especially on billiards...Finally some one suggested that a law should be enacted to suppress billiards, declaring that "Marshall would never break a law." The State Legislature, at the time, was composed largely of the young man's friends, and they passed the necessary bill...However, the fact remains that billiards were prohibited throughout Virginia; and Jefferson, with the calm philosophy that characterized so much of his life, made the best of a bad bargain, and the room was converted into a ballroom..."<ref>[[Short Title List\|Peterson, ''Visitors'']], 165-6. There is no evidence that the Dome Room was used as a ballroom, either.</ref></blockquote>

-	Not only is there no mention by Jefferson or anyone who lived in or visited the house during his lifetime that the Dome Room was used for billiards (or a ballroom), but contemporary documents also refute several elements of the story. First, Jefferson's original architectural drawings show that he never altered the design of the staircases as Randolph claims. Also, there was never a law passed in Virginia during Jefferson's lifetime prohibiting billiards, although a law was passed in 1781 taxing them at fifty pounds a year.<ref>Hening, William W. ''The Statutes at Large: Being a Collection of the Laws of Virigina, from the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619'' (Richmond: R. & W. & G. Barrow, 1810-1823), 10:504. [http://vagenweb.org/hening/vol10-24.htm Text available online].</ref>	+	It is worth noting that there was, in fact, never a law passed in Virginia during Jefferson's lifetime prohibiting billiards, although a law was passed in 1781 taxing them at fifty pounds a year.<ref>Hening, William W. ''The Statutes at Large: Being a Collection of the Laws of Virigina, from the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619'' (Richmond: R. & W. & G. Barrow, 1810-1823), 10:504. [http://vagenweb.org/hening/vol10-24.htm Text available online].</ref>

-	Ultimately, the claim that the Dome Room was intended by Jefferson for billiards is completely unsubstantiated, and there is no reliable evidence indicating that it was every used for that purpose.	+	Ultimately, the claim that the Dome Room was originally intended by Jefferson for billiards is completely unsubstantiated, and there is no reliable evidence indicating that it was ever used for that purpose.

	==Footnotes==		==Footnotes==

ABerkes at 14:14, 2 June 2010

2010-06-02T14:14:38Z

←Older revision		Revision as of 14:14, 2 June 2010
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	"...But there are some [games of chance] which produce nothing, and endanger the well-being of the individuals engaged in them, or of others depending on them. Such are games with cards, dice, billiards, etc."<ref>Thomas Jefferson. "Thoughts on Lotteries. February 1826." [[Short Title List\|Ford]], 12:436.</ref>		"...But there are some [games of chance] which produce nothing, and endanger the well-being of the individuals engaged in them, or of others depending on them. Such are games with cards, dice, billiards, etc."<ref>Thomas Jefferson. "Thoughts on Lotteries. February 1826." [[Short Title List\|Ford]], 12:436.</ref>

-	There are several mentions - none by Jefferson himself - that the [[Dome Room]] was intended as a space for billiard tables. Sarah N. Randolph (Jefferson's great-granddaughter), wrote:	+	Some have claimed that the [[Dome Room]] was intended as a space for billiard tables. This claim has no basis in fact; it most likely originated with Sarah N. Randolph (Jefferson's great-granddaughter), who wrote in ''The Domestic Life of Thomas Jefferson'' (1871):

	<blockquote>"The west front the rooms occupy the whole height, making the house one story, except the parlor or central room, which is surmounted by an octagonal story, with a dome or spherical roof. This was designed for a billiard-rooom; but, before completion, a law was passed prohibiting public and private billiard-tables in the State. It was to have been approached by stairways connected with a gallery at the inner extremity of the hall, which itself forms the communication between the lodging-rooms on either side above. The use designed for the room being prohibited, these stairways were never erected, leaving in this respect a great deficiency in the house."<ref>[[Short Title List\|Randolph, ''Domestic Life'']], 332.</ref></blockquote>		<blockquote>"The west front the rooms occupy the whole height, making the house one story, except the parlor or central room, which is surmounted by an octagonal story, with a dome or spherical roof. This was designed for a billiard-rooom; but, before completion, a law was passed prohibiting public and private billiard-tables in the State. It was to have been approached by stairways connected with a gallery at the inner extremity of the hall, which itself forms the communication between the lodging-rooms on either side above. The use designed for the room being prohibited, these stairways were never erected, leaving in this respect a great deficiency in the house."<ref>[[Short Title List\|Randolph, ''Domestic Life'']], 332.</ref></blockquote>
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	Randolph says this information was given to her by a "member of Mr. Jefferson's family, who lived there for many years." Sarah Nicholas Randolph, the daughter of Thomas Jefferson Randolph, was born in 1839 and thus never lived at Monticello herself.		Randolph says this information was given to her by a "member of Mr. Jefferson's family, who lived there for many years." Sarah Nicholas Randolph, the daughter of Thomas Jefferson Randolph, was born in 1839 and thus never lived at Monticello herself.

-	Jack McLaughlin brings the billiard-table story up again in his discussion of the Dome Room.<ref>McLaughlin, Jack, ''Jefferson and Monticello: The Biography of a Builder'' (New York: Holt, 1989), 252.</ref> In his notes he states that, in fact, no such law (prohibiting billiard tables) was ever passed, although there was a law passed in 1781 taxing billiard tables quite heavily (50 pounds per annum).<ref>Hening, William W. ''The Statutes at Large: Being a Collection of the Laws of Virigina, from the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619'' (Richmond: R. & W. & G. Barrow, 1810-1823), vol. 10.</ref> Merrill Peterson also refutes the billiards story in ''Visitors to Monticello'' "...nor was any law banning billiards passed in Virginia, nor did Jefferson intend the dome for billiards, nor was it converted into a ballroom."<ref>[[Short Title List\|Peterson, ''Visitors'']], 155.</ref>	+	This story was repeated and elaborated upon in 1899, in an account by Maud Howard Peterson of a visit to Monticello (then owned by [[Jefferson Monroe Levy]]:
		+
		+	<blockquote>"On the third floor is the famous ballroom, built originally for billiards of which Jefferson was extremely fond. Scarcely was it completed, however, when he discovered, to his chagrin, that the game was prohibited by a law recently passed by the State Legislature. The story runs that some years earlier there lived within the borders of Virginia a very brilliant and promising young lawyer named John Marshall, who insisted on wasting his time on games of all sorts, and most especially on billiards...Finally some one suggested that a law should be enacted to suppress billiards, declaring that "Marshall would never break a law." The State Legislature, at the time, was composed largely of the young man's friends, and they passed the necessary bill...However, the fact remains that billiards were prohibited throughout Virginia; and Jefferson, with the calm philosophy that characterized so much of his life, made the best of a bad bargain, and the room was converted into a ballroom..."<ref>[[Short Title List\|Peterson, ''Visitors'']], 165-6. There is no evidence that the Dome Room was used as a ballroom, either.</ref></blockquote>
		+
		+	Not only is there no mention by Jefferson or anyone who lived in or visited the house during his lifetime that the Dome Room was used for billiards (or a ballroom), but contemporary documents also refute several elements of the story. First, Jefferson's original architectural drawings show that he never altered the design of the staircases as Randolph claims. Also, there was never a law passed in Virginia during Jefferson's lifetime prohibiting billiards, although a law was passed in 1781 taxing them at fifty pounds a year.<ref>Hening, William W. ''The Statutes at Large: Being a Collection of the Laws of Virigina, from the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619'' (Richmond: R. & W. & G. Barrow, 1810-1823), 10:504. [http://vagenweb.org/hening/vol10-24.htm Text available online].</ref>

	Ultimately, the claim that the Dome Room was intended by Jefferson for billiards is completely unsubstantiated, and there is no reliable evidence indicating that it was every used for that purpose.		Ultimately, the claim that the Dome Room was intended by Jefferson for billiards is completely unsubstantiated, and there is no reliable evidence indicating that it was every used for that purpose.

ABerkes at 13:46, 2 June 2010

2010-06-02T13:46:56Z

←Older revision		Revision as of 13:46, 2 June 2010
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	"...But there are some [games of chance] which produce nothing, and endanger the well-being of the individuals engaged in them, or of others depending on them. Such are games with cards, dice, billiards, etc."<ref>Thomas Jefferson. "Thoughts on Lotteries. February 1826." [[Short Title List\|Ford]], 12:436.</ref>		"...But there are some [games of chance] which produce nothing, and endanger the well-being of the individuals engaged in them, or of others depending on them. Such are games with cards, dice, billiards, etc."<ref>Thomas Jefferson. "Thoughts on Lotteries. February 1826." [[Short Title List\|Ford]], 12:436.</ref>

-	==Billiards in the [[Dome Room]]?==	+	There are several mentions - none by Jefferson himself - that the [[Dome Room]] was intended as a space for billiard tables. Sarah N. Randolph (Jefferson's great-granddaughter), wrote:
-		+
-	There are several mentions - none by Jefferson himself - that the Dome Room was intended as a space for billiard tables. Sarah N. Randolph (Jefferson's great-granddaughter), wrote:	+

	<blockquote>"The west front the rooms occupy the whole height, making the house one story, except the parlor or central room, which is surmounted by an octagonal story, with a dome or spherical roof. This was designed for a billiard-rooom; but, before completion, a law was passed prohibiting public and private billiard-tables in the State. It was to have been approached by stairways connected with a gallery at the inner extremity of the hall, which itself forms the communication between the lodging-rooms on either side above. The use designed for the room being prohibited, these stairways were never erected, leaving in this respect a great deficiency in the house."<ref>[[Short Title List\|Randolph, ''Domestic Life'']], 332.</ref></blockquote>		<blockquote>"The west front the rooms occupy the whole height, making the house one story, except the parlor or central room, which is surmounted by an octagonal story, with a dome or spherical roof. This was designed for a billiard-rooom; but, before completion, a law was passed prohibiting public and private billiard-tables in the State. It was to have been approached by stairways connected with a gallery at the inner extremity of the hall, which itself forms the communication between the lodging-rooms on either side above. The use designed for the room being prohibited, these stairways were never erected, leaving in this respect a great deficiency in the house."<ref>[[Short Title List\|Randolph, ''Domestic Life'']], 332.</ref></blockquote>
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	Jack McLaughlin brings the billiard-table story up again in his discussion of the Dome Room.<ref>McLaughlin, Jack, ''Jefferson and Monticello: The Biography of a Builder'' (New York: Holt, 1989), 252.</ref> In his notes he states that, in fact, no such law (prohibiting billiard tables) was ever passed, although there was a law passed in 1781 taxing billiard tables quite heavily (50 pounds per annum).<ref>Hening, William W. ''The Statutes at Large: Being a Collection of the Laws of Virigina, from the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619'' (Richmond: R. & W. & G. Barrow, 1810-1823), vol. 10.</ref> Merrill Peterson also refutes the billiards story in ''Visitors to Monticello'' "...nor was any law banning billiards passed in Virginia, nor did Jefferson intend the dome for billiards, nor was it converted into a ballroom."<ref>[[Short Title List\|Peterson, ''Visitors'']], 155.</ref>		Jack McLaughlin brings the billiard-table story up again in his discussion of the Dome Room.<ref>McLaughlin, Jack, ''Jefferson and Monticello: The Biography of a Builder'' (New York: Holt, 1989), 252.</ref> In his notes he states that, in fact, no such law (prohibiting billiard tables) was ever passed, although there was a law passed in 1781 taxing billiard tables quite heavily (50 pounds per annum).<ref>Hening, William W. ''The Statutes at Large: Being a Collection of the Laws of Virigina, from the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619'' (Richmond: R. & W. & G. Barrow, 1810-1823), vol. 10.</ref> Merrill Peterson also refutes the billiards story in ''Visitors to Monticello'' "...nor was any law banning billiards passed in Virginia, nor did Jefferson intend the dome for billiards, nor was it converted into a ballroom."<ref>[[Short Title List\|Peterson, ''Visitors'']], 155.</ref>
		+
		+	Ultimately, the claim that the Dome Room was intended by Jefferson for billiards is completely unsubstantiated, and there is no reliable evidence indicating that it was every used for that purpose.

	==Footnotes==		==Footnotes==

ABerkes at 22:19, 31 December 2008

2008-12-31T22:19:37Z

←Older revision		Revision as of 22:19, 31 December 2008
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-	It is unclear if Jefferson ever played '''billiards,''' but there is some documentary evidence that he did not look favorably on the game. He writes in ''Thoughts on Lotteries:''	+	It is unclear whether Jefferson ever played '''billiards,''' but there is some documentary evidence that he did not look favorably on the game. He wrote in "Thoughts on Lotteries" in 1826,
-	"...But there are some [games of chance] which produce nothing, and endanger the well-being of the individuals engaged in them, or of others depending on them. Such are games with cards, dice, billiards, etc."<ref>Thomas Jefferson. ''Thoughts on Lotteries. February 1826.'' [[Short Title List\|L&B]], 17: 449.</ref>	+	"...But there are some [games of chance] which produce nothing, and endanger the well-being of the individuals engaged in them, or of others depending on them. Such are games with cards, dice, billiards, etc."<ref>Thomas Jefferson. "Thoughts on Lotteries. February 1826." [[Short Title List\|Ford]], 12:436.</ref>

	==Billiards in the [[Dome Room]]?==		==Billiards in the [[Dome Room]]?==

-	There are several mentions - none by Jefferson himself - that the [[Dome Room]] was intended for billiards. Sarah N. Randolph (Jefferson's great-granddaughter), wrote:	+	There are several mentions - none by Jefferson himself - that the Dome Room was intended as a space for billiard tables. Sarah N. Randolph (Jefferson's great-granddaughter), wrote:

	<blockquote>"The west front the rooms occupy the whole height, making the house one story, except the parlor or central room, which is surmounted by an octagonal story, with a dome or spherical roof. This was designed for a billiard-rooom; but, before completion, a law was passed prohibiting public and private billiard-tables in the State. It was to have been approached by stairways connected with a gallery at the inner extremity of the hall, which itself forms the communication between the lodging-rooms on either side above. The use designed for the room being prohibited, these stairways were never erected, leaving in this respect a great deficiency in the house."<ref>[[Short Title List\|Randolph, ''Domestic Life'']], 332.</ref></blockquote>		<blockquote>"The west front the rooms occupy the whole height, making the house one story, except the parlor or central room, which is surmounted by an octagonal story, with a dome or spherical roof. This was designed for a billiard-rooom; but, before completion, a law was passed prohibiting public and private billiard-tables in the State. It was to have been approached by stairways connected with a gallery at the inner extremity of the hall, which itself forms the communication between the lodging-rooms on either side above. The use designed for the room being prohibited, these stairways were never erected, leaving in this respect a great deficiency in the house."<ref>[[Short Title List\|Randolph, ''Domestic Life'']], 332.</ref></blockquote>
Line 10:		Line 10:
	Randolph says this information was given to her by a "member of Mr. Jefferson's family, who lived there for many years." Sarah Nicholas Randolph, the daughter of Thomas Jefferson Randolph, was born in 1839 and thus never lived at Monticello herself.		Randolph says this information was given to her by a "member of Mr. Jefferson's family, who lived there for many years." Sarah Nicholas Randolph, the daughter of Thomas Jefferson Randolph, was born in 1839 and thus never lived at Monticello herself.

-	Jack McLaughlin brings the billiard-table story up again in his discussion of the [[Dome Room]].<ref>McLaughlin, Jack, ''Jefferson and Monticello: the biography of a builder'' (New York: Holt, 1989), 252.</ref> In his notes he states that, in fact, no such law (prohibiting billiard tables) was ever passed, although there was a law passed in 1781 taxing billiard tables quite heavily (50 pounds per annum).<ref>Hening, William W. ''The Statutes at Large: Being a Collection of the Laws of Virigina, from the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619'' (Richmond: R. & W. & G. Barrow, 1810-1823), vol. 10.</ref> Merrill Peterson also refutes the billiards story in ''Visitors to Monticello'' "...nor was any law banning billiards passed in Virginia, nor did Jefferson intend the dome for billiards, nor was it converted into a ballroom."<ref>[[Short Title List\|Peterson, ''Visitors'']], 155.</ref>	+	Jack McLaughlin brings the billiard-table story up again in his discussion of the Dome Room.<ref>McLaughlin, Jack, ''Jefferson and Monticello: The Biography of a Builder'' (New York: Holt, 1989), 252.</ref> In his notes he states that, in fact, no such law (prohibiting billiard tables) was ever passed, although there was a law passed in 1781 taxing billiard tables quite heavily (50 pounds per annum).<ref>Hening, William W. ''The Statutes at Large: Being a Collection of the Laws of Virigina, from the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619'' (Richmond: R. & W. & G. Barrow, 1810-1823), vol. 10.</ref> Merrill Peterson also refutes the billiards story in ''Visitors to Monticello'' "...nor was any law banning billiards passed in Virginia, nor did Jefferson intend the dome for billiards, nor was it converted into a ballroom."<ref>[[Short Title List\|Peterson, ''Visitors'']], 155.</ref>

	==Footnotes==		==Footnotes==

Bcraig at 14:41, 13 February 2008

2008-02-13T14:41:05Z

←Older revision		Revision as of 14:41, 13 February 2008
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	Randolph says this information was given to her by a "member of Mr. Jefferson's family, who lived there for many years." Sarah Nicholas Randolph, the daughter of Thomas Jefferson Randolph, was born in 1839 and thus never lived at Monticello herself.		Randolph says this information was given to her by a "member of Mr. Jefferson's family, who lived there for many years." Sarah Nicholas Randolph, the daughter of Thomas Jefferson Randolph, was born in 1839 and thus never lived at Monticello herself.

-	Jack McLaughlin brings the billiard-table story up again in his discussion of the [[Dome Room]].<ref>McLaughlin, Jack, ''Jefferson and Monticello: the biography of a builder'' (New York: Holt, 1989), 252.</ref> In his notes he states that, in fact, no such law (prohibiting billiard tables) was ever passed, although there was a law passed in 1781 taxing billiard tables quite heavily (50 pounds per annum).<ref>Hening, William W. ''The Statutes at Large: Being a Collection of the Laws of Virigina, from the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619'' (Richmond: R. & W. & G. Barrow, 1810-1823), vol. 10.</ref> Merrill Peterson also refutes the billiards story in ''Visitors to Monticello'' "...nor was any law banning billiards passed in Virginia, nor did Jefferson intend the dome for billiards, nor was it converted into a ballroom."<ref>Peterson, [[Short Title List\|''Visitors'']], 155.</ref>	+	Jack McLaughlin brings the billiard-table story up again in his discussion of the [[Dome Room]].<ref>McLaughlin, Jack, ''Jefferson and Monticello: the biography of a builder'' (New York: Holt, 1989), 252.</ref> In his notes he states that, in fact, no such law (prohibiting billiard tables) was ever passed, although there was a law passed in 1781 taxing billiard tables quite heavily (50 pounds per annum).<ref>Hening, William W. ''The Statutes at Large: Being a Collection of the Laws of Virigina, from the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619'' (Richmond: R. & W. & G. Barrow, 1810-1823), vol. 10.</ref> Merrill Peterson also refutes the billiards story in ''Visitors to Monticello'' "...nor was any law banning billiards passed in Virginia, nor did Jefferson intend the dome for billiards, nor was it converted into a ballroom."<ref>[[Short Title List\|Peterson, ''Visitors'']], 155.</ref>

	==Footnotes==		==Footnotes==

ABerkes: add category

2008-02-11T19:51:34Z

add category

←Older revision		Revision as of 19:51, 11 February 2008
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	[[Category:Monticello (House)]]		[[Category:Monticello (House)]]
		+	[[Category:Legends]]
	[[Category:Personal Life]]		[[Category:Personal Life]]
	[[Category:Frequently Asked Questions]]		[[Category:Frequently Asked Questions]]

Anna: /* Billiards in the Dome Room? */

2007-07-24T19:21:10Z

Billiards in the Dome Room?

←Older revision		Revision as of 19:21, 24 July 2007
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	==Billiards in the [[Dome Room]]?==		==Billiards in the [[Dome Room]]?==

-	There are several mentions - none by Jefferson himself - that the [[Dome Room]] was intended for billiards or that. Sarah N. Randolph (Jefferson's great-granddaughter), wrote:	+	There are several mentions - none by Jefferson himself - that the [[Dome Room]] was intended for billiards. Sarah N. Randolph (Jefferson's great-granddaughter), wrote:

	<blockquote>"The west front the rooms occupy the whole height, making the house one story, except the parlor or central room, which is surmounted by an octagonal story, with a dome or spherical roof. This was designed for a billiard-rooom; but, before completion, a law was passed prohibiting public and private billiard-tables in the State. It was to have been approached by stairways connected with a gallery at the inner extremity of the hall, which itself forms the communication between the lodging-rooms on either side above. The use designed for the room being prohibited, these stairways were never erected, leaving in this respect a great deficiency in the house."<ref>[[Short Title List\|Randolph, ''Domestic Life'']], 332.</ref></blockquote>		<blockquote>"The west front the rooms occupy the whole height, making the house one story, except the parlor or central room, which is surmounted by an octagonal story, with a dome or spherical roof. This was designed for a billiard-rooom; but, before completion, a law was passed prohibiting public and private billiard-tables in the State. It was to have been approached by stairways connected with a gallery at the inner extremity of the hall, which itself forms the communication between the lodging-rooms on either side above. The use designed for the room being prohibited, these stairways were never erected, leaving in this respect a great deficiency in the house."<ref>[[Short Title List\|Randolph, ''Domestic Life'']], 332.</ref></blockquote>

Anna: revised footnotes, section heading

2007-07-24T19:20:34Z

revised footnotes, section heading

←Older revision		Revision as of 19:20, 24 July 2007
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	"...But there are some [games of chance] which produce nothing, and endanger the well-being of the individuals engaged in them, or of others depending on them. Such are games with cards, dice, billiards, etc."<ref>Thomas Jefferson. ''Thoughts on Lotteries. February 1826.'' [[Short Title List\|L&B]], 17: 449.</ref>		"...But there are some [games of chance] which produce nothing, and endanger the well-being of the individuals engaged in them, or of others depending on them. Such are games with cards, dice, billiards, etc."<ref>Thomas Jefferson. ''Thoughts on Lotteries. February 1826.'' [[Short Title List\|L&B]], 17: 449.</ref>

-	==Was there a Billiard Table in the [[Dome Room]]?==	+	==Billiards in the [[Dome Room]]?==

-	There are several mentions - none by Jefferson himself - that the [[Dome Room]] was intended for billiards. Sarah N. Randolph (Jefferson's great-granddaughter), wrote:	+	There are several mentions - none by Jefferson himself - that the [[Dome Room]] was intended for billiards or that. Sarah N. Randolph (Jefferson's great-granddaughter), wrote:

-	"The west front the rooms occupy the whole height, making the house one story, except the parlor or central room, which is surmounted by an octagonal story, with a dome or spherical roof. This was designed for a billiard-rooom; but, before completion, a law was passed prohibiting public and private billiard-tables in the State. It was to have been approached by stairways connected with a gallery at the inner extremity of the hall, which itself forms the communication between the lodging-rooms on either side above. The use designed for the room being prohibited, these stairways were never erected, leaving in this respect a great deficiency in the house."<ref>[[Short Title List\|Randolph, ''Domestic Life'']], 332.</ref>	+	<blockquote>"The west front the rooms occupy the whole height, making the house one story, except the parlor or central room, which is surmounted by an octagonal story, with a dome or spherical roof. This was designed for a billiard-rooom; but, before completion, a law was passed prohibiting public and private billiard-tables in the State. It was to have been approached by stairways connected with a gallery at the inner extremity of the hall, which itself forms the communication between the lodging-rooms on either side above. The use designed for the room being prohibited, these stairways were never erected, leaving in this respect a great deficiency in the house."<ref>[[Short Title List\|Randolph, ''Domestic Life'']], 332.</ref></blockquote>

	Randolph says this information was given to her by a "member of Mr. Jefferson's family, who lived there for many years." Sarah Nicholas Randolph, the daughter of Thomas Jefferson Randolph, was born in 1839 and thus never lived at Monticello herself.		Randolph says this information was given to her by a "member of Mr. Jefferson's family, who lived there for many years." Sarah Nicholas Randolph, the daughter of Thomas Jefferson Randolph, was born in 1839 and thus never lived at Monticello herself.

-	Jack McLaughlin brings the billiard-table story up again in his discussion of the [[Dome Room]].<ref>McLaughlin, Jack. 1989. ''Jefferson and Monticello: the biography of a builder.'' New York: Holt, p. 252.</ref> In his notes he states that, in fact, no such law (prohibiting billiard tables) was ever passed, although there was a law passed in 1781 taxing billiard tables quite heavily (50 pounds per annum).<ref>Hening, William W. 1819-1823. ''The Statutes at Large: Being a Collection of the Laws of Virigina, from the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619.'' R. & W. & G. Barrow, vol. 10.</ref>	+	Jack McLaughlin brings the billiard-table story up again in his discussion of the [[Dome Room]].<ref>McLaughlin, Jack, ''Jefferson and Monticello: the biography of a builder'' (New York: Holt, 1989), 252.</ref> In his notes he states that, in fact, no such law (prohibiting billiard tables) was ever passed, although there was a law passed in 1781 taxing billiard tables quite heavily (50 pounds per annum).<ref>Hening, William W. ''The Statutes at Large: Being a Collection of the Laws of Virigina, from the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619'' (Richmond: R. & W. & G. Barrow, 1810-1823), vol. 10.</ref> Merrill Peterson also refutes the billiards story in ''Visitors to Monticello'' "...nor was any law banning billiards passed in Virginia, nor did Jefferson intend the dome for billiards, nor was it converted into a ballroom."<ref>Peterson, [[Short Title List\|''Visitors'']], 155.</ref>
-	"The Second floor contains about fourteen rooms and numerous closets with a large circular Billiard Saloon under the Rotunda with Circular Windows." Merrill Peterson also refutes the billiards story in ''Visitors to Monticello'' "...nor was any law banning billiards passed in Virginia, nor did Jefferson intend the dome for billiards, nor was it converted into a ballroom."<ref>Peterson, [[Short Title List\|Visitors]], 155.</ref>	+

	==Footnotes==		==Footnotes==
	<references/>		<references/>

		+	[[Category:Monticello (House)]]
	[[Category:Personal Life]]		[[Category:Personal Life]]
	[[Category:Frequently Asked Questions]]		[[Category:Frequently Asked Questions]]

Bcraig at 13:47, 25 June 2007

2007-06-25T13:47:16Z

←Older revision		Revision as of 13:47, 25 June 2007
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	"...But there are some [games of chance] which produce nothing, and endanger the well-being of the individuals engaged in them, or of others depending on them. Such are games with cards, dice, billiards, etc."<ref>Thomas Jefferson. ''Thoughts on Lotteries. February 1826.'' [[Short Title List\|L&B]], 17: 449.</ref>		"...But there are some [games of chance] which produce nothing, and endanger the well-being of the individuals engaged in them, or of others depending on them. Such are games with cards, dice, billiards, etc."<ref>Thomas Jefferson. ''Thoughts on Lotteries. February 1826.'' [[Short Title List\|L&B]], 17: 449.</ref>

-	==Was there a Billiard Table in the Dome Room?==	+	==Was there a Billiard Table in the [[Dome Room]]?==

-	There are several mentions - none by Jefferson himself - that the Dome Room was intended for billiards. Sarah N. Randolph (Jefferson's great-granddaughter), wrote:	+	There are several mentions - none by Jefferson himself - that the [[Dome Room]] was intended for billiards. Sarah N. Randolph (Jefferson's great-granddaughter), wrote:

	"The west front the rooms occupy the whole height, making the house one story, except the parlor or central room, which is surmounted by an octagonal story, with a dome or spherical roof. This was designed for a billiard-rooom; but, before completion, a law was passed prohibiting public and private billiard-tables in the State. It was to have been approached by stairways connected with a gallery at the inner extremity of the hall, which itself forms the communication between the lodging-rooms on either side above. The use designed for the room being prohibited, these stairways were never erected, leaving in this respect a great deficiency in the house."<ref>[[Short Title List\|Randolph, ''Domestic Life'']], 332.</ref>		"The west front the rooms occupy the whole height, making the house one story, except the parlor or central room, which is surmounted by an octagonal story, with a dome or spherical roof. This was designed for a billiard-rooom; but, before completion, a law was passed prohibiting public and private billiard-tables in the State. It was to have been approached by stairways connected with a gallery at the inner extremity of the hall, which itself forms the communication between the lodging-rooms on either side above. The use designed for the room being prohibited, these stairways were never erected, leaving in this respect a great deficiency in the house."<ref>[[Short Title List\|Randolph, ''Domestic Life'']], 332.</ref>
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	Randolph says this information was given to her by a "member of Mr. Jefferson's family, who lived there for many years." Sarah Nicholas Randolph, the daughter of Thomas Jefferson Randolph, was born in 1839 and thus never lived at Monticello herself.		Randolph says this information was given to her by a "member of Mr. Jefferson's family, who lived there for many years." Sarah Nicholas Randolph, the daughter of Thomas Jefferson Randolph, was born in 1839 and thus never lived at Monticello herself.

-	Jack McLaughlin brings the billiard-table story up again in his discussion of the Dome Room.<ref>McLaughlin, Jack. 1989. ''Jefferson and Monticello: the biography of a builder.'' New York: Holt, p. 252.</ref> In his notes he states that, in fact, no such law (prohibiting billiard tables) was ever passed, although there was a law passed in 1781 taxing billiard tables quite heavily (50 pounds per annum).<ref>Hening, William W. 1819-1823. ''The Statutes at Large: Being a Collection of the Laws of Virigina, from the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619.'' R. & W. & G. Barrow, vol. 10.</ref>	+	Jack McLaughlin brings the billiard-table story up again in his discussion of the [[Dome Room]].<ref>McLaughlin, Jack. 1989. ''Jefferson and Monticello: the biography of a builder.'' New York: Holt, p. 252.</ref> In his notes he states that, in fact, no such law (prohibiting billiard tables) was ever passed, although there was a law passed in 1781 taxing billiard tables quite heavily (50 pounds per annum).<ref>Hening, William W. 1819-1823. ''The Statutes at Large: Being a Collection of the Laws of Virigina, from the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619.'' R. & W. & G. Barrow, vol. 10.</ref>
	"The Second floor contains about fourteen rooms and numerous closets with a large circular Billiard Saloon under the Rotunda with Circular Windows." Merrill Peterson also refutes the billiards story in ''Visitors to Monticello'' "...nor was any law banning billiards passed in Virginia, nor did Jefferson intend the dome for billiards, nor was it converted into a ballroom."<ref>Peterson, [[Short Title List\|Visitors]], 155.</ref>		"The Second floor contains about fourteen rooms and numerous closets with a large circular Billiard Saloon under the Rotunda with Circular Windows." Merrill Peterson also refutes the billiards story in ''Visitors to Monticello'' "...nor was any law banning billiards passed in Virginia, nor did Jefferson intend the dome for billiards, nor was it converted into a ballroom."<ref>Peterson, [[Short Title List\|Visitors]], 155.</ref>

Anna: added Sarah Randolph, McLaughlin info

2007-05-29T17:55:17Z

added Sarah Randolph, McLaughlin info

←Older revision		Revision as of 17:55, 29 May 2007
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-	It is unclear if Jefferson ever played '''billiards.''' He writes in ''Thoughts on Lotteries:''	+	It is unclear if Jefferson ever played '''billiards,''' but there is some documentary evidence that he did not look favorably on the game. He writes in ''Thoughts on Lotteries:''
-	"...But there are some [games of chance] which produce nothing, and endanger the well-being of the individuals engaged in them, or of others depending on them. Such are games with cards, dice, billiards, etc."<ref>Thomas Jefferson. ''Thoughts on Lotteries. Februrary 1826.'' [[Short Title List\|L&B]], 17: 449.</ref>	+	"...But there are some [games of chance] which produce nothing, and endanger the well-being of the individuals engaged in them, or of others depending on them. Such are games with cards, dice, billiards, etc."<ref>Thomas Jefferson. ''Thoughts on Lotteries. February 1826.'' [[Short Title List\|L&B]], 17: 449.</ref>

-	==Billiard Table at Monticello==	+	==Was there a Billiard Table in the Dome Room?==

-	The story goes that Jefferson used the Dome room as a billiard room. Other stories state that did not install a billiards table in that room, because a Virginia law either taxed it or made it a misdemeanor for private residences to do so. You see some reference to billiards and the dome in the 1830s including one by William Waller Hening in ''The Statutes at Large'': "The Second floor contains about fourteen rooms and numerous closets with a large circular Billiard Saloon under the Rotunda with Circular Windows."	+	There are several mentions - none by Jefferson himself - that the Dome Room was intended for billiards. Sarah N. Randolph (Jefferson's great-granddaughter), wrote:

-	However, there is no reference to the dome room being used as a billiards room by Jefferson. In Merrill Peterson's ''Visitors to Monticello'', he states, "...nor was any law banning billiards passed in Virginia, nor did Jefferson intend the dome for billiards, nor was it converted into a ballroom."<ref>Peterson, [[Short Title List\|Visitors]], 155.</ref>	+	"The west front the rooms occupy the whole height, making the house one story, except the parlor or central room, which is surmounted by an octagonal story, with a dome or spherical roof. This was designed for a billiard-rooom; but, before completion, a law was passed prohibiting public and private billiard-tables in the State. It was to have been approached by stairways connected with a gallery at the inner extremity of the hall, which itself forms the communication between the lodging-rooms on either side above. The use designed for the room being prohibited, these stairways were never erected, leaving in this respect a great deficiency in the house."<ref>[[Short Title List\|Randolph, ''Domestic Life'']], 332.</ref>
		+
		+	Randolph says this information was given to her by a "member of Mr. Jefferson's family, who lived there for many years." Sarah Nicholas Randolph, the daughter of Thomas Jefferson Randolph, was born in 1839 and thus never lived at Monticello herself.
		+
		+	Jack McLaughlin brings the billiard-table story up again in his discussion of the Dome Room.<ref>McLaughlin, Jack. 1989. ''Jefferson and Monticello: the biography of a builder.'' New York: Holt, p. 252.</ref> In his notes he states that, in fact, no such law (prohibiting billiard tables) was ever passed, although there was a law passed in 1781 taxing billiard tables quite heavily (50 pounds per annum).<ref>Hening, William W. 1819-1823. ''The Statutes at Large: Being a Collection of the Laws of Virigina, from the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619.'' R. & W. & G. Barrow, vol. 10.</ref>
		+	"The Second floor contains about fourteen rooms and numerous closets with a large circular Billiard Saloon under the Rotunda with Circular Windows." Merrill Peterson also refutes the billiards story in ''Visitors to Monticello'' "...nor was any law banning billiards passed in Virginia, nor did Jefferson intend the dome for billiards, nor was it converted into a ballroom."<ref>Peterson, [[Short Title List\|Visitors]], 155.</ref>

	==Footnotes==		==Footnotes==