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| Thomas Jefferson (portrait by Rembrandt Peale, 1800) |
Jefferson, whose health had been deteriorating since July the previous year, was confined to his bed at Monticello in June 1826, felled by a combination of kidney failure and penumonia. In the evening on July 3, he spoke his last words: "Is it the fourth yet?" His grandson and his doctor assured him the fourth was only hours away. Seventeen hours later, at 1 p.m. July 4, 1826, Jefferson passed away at the age of 83.
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| John Adams (portrait by Asher B. Durand, c. 1800) |
Adams, who maintained a close friendship with Jefferson until the vicious politics of the 1800 presidential election drove a wedge between them, had reconciled with Jefferson in 1812. The two men corresponded frequently and were well aware of one another's ill health. On July 4, 1826, at his home in Braintree, Massachusetts, Adams gave a toast to the country he helped found: "Independence forever." Later that evening, after suffering a heart attack and unaware his friend had died several hours earlier, 91-year-old Adams breathed his last words: "Thomas Jefferson survives."
The nearly concurrent deaths of two political giants on such a momentous day seemed preordained and fitting. Carroll survived for another six years, closing the book on an extraordinary chapter in history with his death on Nov. 14, 1832.
Kathleen,
ReplyDeleteI knew about this, but not the words, etc. just that they had both passed on the same day. And people say things aren't "meant to be"? This is eerie and unbelievable coincidence, even that ONE of them would die on that particular day, much less two! Thanks for a very interesting post. (We just got home from vacation and I'm finally able to participate again--I have INTERNET!!!)LOL
Cheryl
Glad to hear y'all made it home safe, Cheryl! How was the vacation?
ReplyDeleteThis was an eerie coincidence, wasn't it? Jefferson and Adams almost seemed determined to see the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration's adoption -- as though they felt fifty years would represent a seminal moment for the young republic, signifying the experiment in governance would endure.
People often hold on for significant dates. My mother died on my sister's birthday. My father died on his wedding anniversary. My sister died the weekend The Return of the King was released... well it was special for her.
ReplyDeleteIt is fitting that these two men should die on the Fourth of July. It was the birthday of their country, their most significant anniversary.
Very true, Alison! I suppose that's why so many people view holidays and other significant dates with mixed emotions. My mother died on April Fool's Day -- which, after the initial shock passed, we kids found amusing and very Momma-like. We're still waiting for the other shoe to drop on that sneaky trick. ;-)
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Kathleen! I've always thought the deaths of Jefferson and Adams was one of the most fascinating pieces of American history, and right that the two men who had the most to do with writing the Declaration of Independence died the same year on July 4th.
ReplyDelete--Kirsten
And speaking of eerie.... This similarity in our opinions that seems to be popping up all over the place of late is downright disconcerting, Kirsten. Thanks for dropping by, Wyomingite! (**snort** I STILL can't type that word with a straight face. :-D )
ReplyDeleteI know, Kathleen, it's right down scary how much our minds are meshing of late. I blame the heat. :o)
ReplyDelete--Kirsten
That is incredible! I'm feeling very uneducated right now because if I ever knew this, I'd forgotten about it. Count me as one of those who believes in destiny, preordainment, or whatever you want to call it. I believe that for some people, a path is set and if they follow it they achieve greatness, or at least notoriety. ;) I wish you'd mentioned John Adams is your ancestor. How many of us can claim common ancestry with one of the founders! Happy, 4th, Kathleen!
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th to you, too, Devon! Hope you have lots of relaxation planned for today, honey. :-)
ReplyDeletei have to do a report on him...im adding this;)
ReplyDeleteWow this is neat! I'm learning things from books and this one I came across when I heard that the two died on the same day.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous #1 and #2, I'm glad you liked the post. History's not just dry old facts in school. Actually, it can be a lot of fun! The more you look behind the scenes, the more cool stuff you'll discover. Enjoy yourselves -- you never know what neat tidbits you'll uncover. :-)
ReplyDeleteI knew that they died the same day, but I always mixed up who died first and who said what as their last words. Though it's quite cool and I am definitely putting this in my social studies project.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if it's occurred to anyone that John Adams wasn't presuming Thomas Jefferson still survived alive ... but having seen him at the foot of his bed as he passed from one world to the next, was delighted to know that "Thomas Jefferson survives" - he survived death, as we all do.
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