![JEFFERSON, Thomas. Autograph letter signed ("Th:Jefferson," in the third person), to Mrs. [Mary Walker] Lewis (widow of a former overseer at Monticello), , n.p. [Monticello?], 1 March 1822. 1 page, oblong (4 5/8 x 7 7/8 in.), old folds, small hole affecting three letters.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2002/NYR/2002_NYR_01139_0034_000(050305).jpg?w=1)
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JEFFERSON, Thomas. Autograph letter signed ("Th:Jefferson," in the third person), to Mrs. [Mary Walker] Lewis (widow of a former overseer at Monticello), , n.p. [Monticello?], 1 March 1822. 1 page, oblong (4 5/8 x 7 7/8 in.), old folds, small hole affecting three letters.
WINE FOR A STOMACH TONIC, IN HONOR OF AN "ANCIENT AND AFFECTIONATE FRIENDSHIP"
A gracious and affectionate letter from the former President--who had just celebrated his 79th birthday--to an ailing neighbor, widow of Nicolas Lewis, sometime overseer at Monticello. Mrs. Lewis, who lived nearby, had evidently offered Jefferson some produce from her garden: "Th:Jefferson asks Mrs. Lewis's acceptance of half a dozen bottle of wine, which is 5 or 6 yars old and will he thinks be of service to the tone of her st[om]ach. The bearer will bring the beans she was so kind as to offer, and any greens she has to spare without disfurnishing herself. He salutes her with antient [sic] and affectionate friendship, & wishes for her better health."
Apparently the only recorded letter to Mrs. Lewis; no copy of the letter was retained by Jefferson, according to the editors of the Jefferson Papers.
WINE FOR A STOMACH TONIC, IN HONOR OF AN "ANCIENT AND AFFECTIONATE FRIENDSHIP"
A gracious and affectionate letter from the former President--who had just celebrated his 79th birthday--to an ailing neighbor, widow of Nicolas Lewis, sometime overseer at Monticello. Mrs. Lewis, who lived nearby, had evidently offered Jefferson some produce from her garden: "Th:Jefferson asks Mrs. Lewis's acceptance of half a dozen bottle of wine, which is 5 or 6 yars old and will he thinks be of service to the tone of her st[om]ach. The bearer will bring the beans she was so kind as to offer, and any greens she has to spare without disfurnishing herself. He salutes her with antient [sic] and affectionate friendship, & wishes for her better health."
Apparently the only recorded letter to Mrs. Lewis; no copy of the letter was retained by Jefferson, according to the editors of the Jefferson Papers.