Last updated: June 19, 2024
Article
Thomas Jefferson and Robert Hemmings in Philadelphia
Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence in a home in Philadelphia in the summer of 1776. But, what was his - and his enslaved servant Robert Hemmings - experience like that summer?
Thomas Jefferson and his enslaved valet, Robert Hemmings, arrived in Philadelphia on May 14, 1776 - one day before the Second Continental Congress reconvened. They took lodgings with cabinetmaker Benjamin Randolph in Chestnut Street, but Jefferson found that arrangement unsatisfactory. He preferred to be away from the bustle of the city, and soon found more suitable lodgings at 7th and High (Market) Streets, in the home of Jacob and Maria Graff. Jefferson and Hemmings stayed at the Graff House altogether about 100 days, from May 23 until September 3, 1776, the day they departed for Virginia. In an 1825 letter to Dr. James Mease, Jefferson recollected: "I lodged in the house of a Mr. Graaf, a new brick house 3 stories high of which I rented the 2d floor consisting of a parlour and bed room already furnished...in that parlour I wrote habitually and in it wrote this paper [Declaration of Independence] particularly."
Robert Hemmings, an enslaved 14 year-old servant, attended to Jefferson's personal needs. Hemings would have helped Jefferson dress, provided tea or a light meal, and coordinated his barber's visits. It's likely that Hemmings slept in the garret, a habitable attic or storage space at the top of the house.
Attendance at the Second Continental Congress
Jefferson's principle activity in Philadelphia was to represent Virginia in Congress. Congress met six days a week. Morning sessions convened around 10AM and business continued until 4PM when the group adjourned for dinner. Discussions continued over dinners at local taverns and sometimes ran late into the night. As with today's Congress, delegates did not attend every session. Committee and private meetings may have occurred simultaneously with congressional sessions.
In addition to attendance at regular sessions, Jefferson served on commitees. On June 11, Congress appointed Jefferson to a committee charged with the preparation of a draft declaration of independence. He also served on the committees to: digest intelligence on the Canadian situation; report on the Cedars cartel; report on on gold and silver coins; design the Great Seal of the United States; and more. There are no records as to the meeting places of these committees. Perhaps the committee members met in the Pennsylvania State House (Independence Hall), or perhaps they met at City Tavern. Possibly, they gathered in one another's rented rooms.
Sightseeing
Jefferson and the other delegates used their visit to Philadelphia as an opportunity to inspect local sights. On May 19, Jefferson and his colleagues rode to Fort Mifflin.
Shopping
An extended trip to a large urban area presented an opportunity to procure goods not readily available in the rural south. Jefferson arrived in Philadelphia armed with orders from family and friends. He applied himself to shopping with diligence, making many purchases, including a doll for his 4-year-old daughter Martha "Patsy" Jefferson, fabric for his wife, and hardware for Monticello, his home perpetually under construction. Jefferson also purchased a mourning ring which could have been a memorial to his mother who died in March 1776. He purchased over 138 items. On at least 12 occassions, he purchased books, pamphlets, and maps from the large number of printers and booksellers in Philadelphia. He even hired cabinetmaker Benjamin Randolph to make custom-designed bookcases intended for transport as well as storage of books.
Parlor
Jefferson's chief activity in the parlor would have been writing. Here he drafted the Declaration of Independence. Additionally, he wrote three drafts of the Virginia Constitution, produced committee reports, authored a position paper, and maintained personal correspondence with friends and family. He may have also read books he purchased in Philadelphia, sketched ideas for the Great Seal, or played the violin. Jefferson owned a kit, a small violin used by dancing masters and suitable for travel. He made a special case for the instrument so that he could take it on trips and practice without disturbing anyone.
Bed Chamber
Jefferson most likely utilized the bed chamber for sleeping, hygiene, dressing, relaxing, and possibly, eating. He had a barber who shaved him daily, possibly in the bed chamber. Before he dressed, he may have sat on the side of the bed with his feet in a pan of cold water. In his later years, Jefferson credited his lifelong good health to the "habit of bathing my feet in cold water every morning for sixty years past."
It was Hemmings responsibility to maintain Jefferson's wardrobe, attend to household needs, and see that Jefferson was undisturbed during his periods of solitude.
Thomas Jefferson and his enslaved valet, Robert Hemmings, arrived in Philadelphia on May 14, 1776 - one day before the Second Continental Congress reconvened. They took lodgings with cabinetmaker Benjamin Randolph in Chestnut Street, but Jefferson found that arrangement unsatisfactory. He preferred to be away from the bustle of the city, and soon found more suitable lodgings at 7th and High (Market) Streets, in the home of Jacob and Maria Graff. Jefferson and Hemmings stayed at the Graff House altogether about 100 days, from May 23 until September 3, 1776, the day they departed for Virginia. In an 1825 letter to Dr. James Mease, Jefferson recollected: "I lodged in the house of a Mr. Graaf, a new brick house 3 stories high of which I rented the 2d floor consisting of a parlour and bed room already furnished...in that parlour I wrote habitually and in it wrote this paper [Declaration of Independence] particularly."
Robert Hemmings, an enslaved 14 year-old servant, attended to Jefferson's personal needs. Hemings would have helped Jefferson dress, provided tea or a light meal, and coordinated his barber's visits. It's likely that Hemmings slept in the garret, a habitable attic or storage space at the top of the house.
Activities in the City
Attendance at the Second Continental Congress
Jefferson's principle activity in Philadelphia was to represent Virginia in Congress. Congress met six days a week. Morning sessions convened around 10AM and business continued until 4PM when the group adjourned for dinner. Discussions continued over dinners at local taverns and sometimes ran late into the night. As with today's Congress, delegates did not attend every session. Committee and private meetings may have occurred simultaneously with congressional sessions.
In addition to attendance at regular sessions, Jefferson served on commitees. On June 11, Congress appointed Jefferson to a committee charged with the preparation of a draft declaration of independence. He also served on the committees to: digest intelligence on the Canadian situation; report on the Cedars cartel; report on on gold and silver coins; design the Great Seal of the United States; and more. There are no records as to the meeting places of these committees. Perhaps the committee members met in the Pennsylvania State House (Independence Hall), or perhaps they met at City Tavern. Possibly, they gathered in one another's rented rooms.
Sightseeing
Jefferson and the other delegates used their visit to Philadelphia as an opportunity to inspect local sights. On May 19, Jefferson and his colleagues rode to Fort Mifflin.
Shopping
An extended trip to a large urban area presented an opportunity to procure goods not readily available in the rural south. Jefferson arrived in Philadelphia armed with orders from family and friends. He applied himself to shopping with diligence, making many purchases, including a doll for his 4-year-old daughter Martha "Patsy" Jefferson, fabric for his wife, and hardware for Monticello, his home perpetually under construction. Jefferson also purchased a mourning ring which could have been a memorial to his mother who died in March 1776. He purchased over 138 items. On at least 12 occassions, he purchased books, pamphlets, and maps from the large number of printers and booksellers in Philadelphia. He even hired cabinetmaker Benjamin Randolph to make custom-designed bookcases intended for transport as well as storage of books.
Activities in the Home
Parlor
Jefferson's chief activity in the parlor would have been writing. Here he drafted the Declaration of Independence. Additionally, he wrote three drafts of the Virginia Constitution, produced committee reports, authored a position paper, and maintained personal correspondence with friends and family. He may have also read books he purchased in Philadelphia, sketched ideas for the Great Seal, or played the violin. Jefferson owned a kit, a small violin used by dancing masters and suitable for travel. He made a special case for the instrument so that he could take it on trips and practice without disturbing anyone.
Bed Chamber
Jefferson most likely utilized the bed chamber for sleeping, hygiene, dressing, relaxing, and possibly, eating. He had a barber who shaved him daily, possibly in the bed chamber. Before he dressed, he may have sat on the side of the bed with his feet in a pan of cold water. In his later years, Jefferson credited his lifelong good health to the "habit of bathing my feet in cold water every morning for sixty years past."
It was Hemmings responsibility to maintain Jefferson's wardrobe, attend to household needs, and see that Jefferson was undisturbed during his periods of solitude.
Resources for Further Study
The information in this article comes from a National Park Service report called "The Furnishings Plan for the Graff House, Philadelphia, PA" by Doris Devine Fanelli, 1988. It has been scanned, and may be viewed online. Note that this report refers to Robert Hemings as "Bob." Although others referred to him as Bob and Robert, he called himself Robert.
The Thomas Jefferson Papers at Library of Congress are a treasure trove of primary sources. They are available online.
The information in this article comes from a National Park Service report called "The Furnishings Plan for the Graff House, Philadelphia, PA" by Doris Devine Fanelli, 1988. It has been scanned, and may be viewed online. Note that this report refers to Robert Hemings as "Bob." Although others referred to him as Bob and Robert, he called himself Robert.
The Thomas Jefferson Papers at Library of Congress are a treasure trove of primary sources. They are available online.