❛ Misstress of Monticello❜

My favorite James Madison and Thomas Jefferson interpreters are following my sister on instagram now. And neither of them are following me…

The Jeffersons never wore wigs. NEVER.

There’s actually truth to this, so it’s not necessarily a headcanon. In the mid-to-late 1700s there were people who wore wigs, but it was becoming increasingly unpopular; likely because of the upkeep, expense, and, well, one had to shave their head in order to wear a wig. Simply, it was starting to become impractical for people to wear wigs around the time of the American Revolution. In fact, there were many founding fathers who were known to simply style and power their own natural hair. George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Adams...and yes, Thomas Jefferson were of the most notable who opted to not wear wigs.

It is documented by a Williamsburg wigmaker that before the American Revolution Jefferson did purchase “a brown ‘Dress Queue,’ a brown ‘Tye Wig,’ two brown ‘Dress Bob-wigs,’ two ‘pairs of curls,’ and three pounds of hair powder.” At this time, Jefferson was serving in the house of burgesses, so it is my conclusion that these three wigs purchased were used for official purposes. At home Jefferson was likely teasing, powdering, and queueing his own hair.  

There is only one other instance of Jefferson wearing a wig, which was during the few weeks he spent in England on his way to be Minister to France. This can be evidenced in a painting he had commissioned while he was there (x). Once again, this was also likely for official reasons. In England, by the 1780s, it was still common for those with a role in politics or upper society to wear powdered wigs. Afterall, this is where the tradition in early America came from. Jefferson was particular about his appearance, especially during his time in England and France, because he wanted to make a good impression as an American. Whatever was the fashion for high society, Jefferson was going to follow suit and not look like a country bumpkin from Virginia. 

In any other paintings you see of Jefferson, he is sporting his natural red colored hair powdered just slightly. From all of this information, I conclude that Martha Jefferson likely styled her own natural hair as well. Unlike Jefferson, there is not a single note in her account book that indicated she bought wigs. It was not hard for women to style their hair in whatever fashions of the day as long as they had hair of the right length. Knowing that women had to shave their actual hair off to wear wigs, I also do not see a woman from the gentry class enjoying that very much. 

For Jefferson, when I say he never wore wigs I simply mean that if he was in a casual setting or even at a party, you would see him with his own styled hair, powdered or not depending on the occasion. If you saw him in lawyering, lawmaking at the house of burgesses, or visiting England, then maybe you would have seen him in a wig.

—     BODY.    long legs, short legs,  average legs  /  slender thighs,  thick thighs, muscular thighs  /  skinny arms, soft arms, muscular arms  /  toned stomach,  flat stomach,  flabby stomach,  soft stomach,  six pack,  beer belly  /   lean frame,  slender frame,  muscular frame,  voluptuous frame,  petite frame,  lanky frame  /  short nails, long nails, manicured-clean nails,  dirty nails  /  flat butt,  toned butt,  bubble butt,  thick butt /  small waist, thick waist  /  narrow hips,  average hips, wide hips  /  big feet, average feet, small feet,  soft feet,  slender  feet,  calloused feet  /  calloused hands,  soft hands, big hands,  average hands, small hands  /  long fingers,  short fingers,  average fingers  / broad shoulders  /  underweight,  average weight,  overweight.  

—     HEIGHT.   shorter than 140 cm,  14 cm - 150 cm,  151 cm - 160 cm,  161 cm - 170 cm,  171 cm - 180 cm, 181 cm - 190 cm,  191 cm - 2m,  taller than tm.

—     SKIN.       pale,  fair,  rosy,  olive,  dark,  tanned,  blotchy,  smooth,  acne,  dry,  greasy,  freckled,  scarred.

—     EYES.      small,  large,  average  /  grey,  brown,  black,  blue,  red  green,  gold,  amber,  hazel,  violet,   doe-eyed,  almond  /  wide-set,  squinty,  monolid,  heavy eyes  /  upturned,  downturned.

—     HAIR.      thin,  thick,  fine,  normal  /  greasy,  dry,  soft,  shiny,  scruffy,  frizzy,  curly,  kinky,  wild,  unruly,  straight,  smooth,  wavy,  floppy,  cropped,  pixie-cut,  bald, jaw length,  mohawk   /  vermillion,   white,  platinum,  blonde,  golden blonde,  dirty blonde,  ombre,  light brown,  mouse brown,  chestnut brown,  golden brown,  chocolate brown, dark brown,  jet black,  ginger,  grey,  auburn,  dyed red,  dyed any ‘ unnatural ‘ color,  streaked  /   thin eyebrows,  average eyebrows,  thick eyebrows.  

—     TATTOOS & PIERCINGS.   full sleeve,  thigh tattoo,  shin tattoo,  wrist tattoo,  lower back tattoo,  hand or finger tattoo,  foot tattoo,  neck tattoo,  face tattoo,  chest tattoo  /  one tattoo,  a few here & there,  multiple,  no tattoo  /  monroe piercing,  nose piercing,  septum piercing,  nipple piercing,  genital piercing,  industrial piercings,  earlobe piercing,  prince albert piercing,  eyebrow piercing,  tongue piercing,  lip piercing,  tragus piercing,  angel bites,  stretched out ears,  navel piercing,  inverse navel piercing,  cheek piercing,  smiley,  nape piercing,  no piercings.

—     COSMETICS.    light eyeliner,  cat eyes,  mascara,  fake eyelashes  /  matte lipstick,  regular lipstick,  lip gloss, red lips,  pink lips  /  bronzer,  highlighter,  eyeshadow,  neutral eyeshadow,  smoky eyes,  colorful eyeshadow  /  blush,  lip liner,  light contouring,  heavy contouring  /  powder, matte foundation,  shiny foundation,  concealer  /  wears make up regularly, wears make up from time to time, never wears make up.

—   SCENT.       floral,  perfumes,  aftershave,  cocoa,  moisturizer,  natural soap,  shampoo,  cigarettes,  leather, sweat,  food,  incense,  marijuana,  cheap deodorant,  cologne,  whiskey,  wine,  fried food,  blood,  fire,  metal,  rain,  grass,  ocean,  autumn leaves,  baked bread,  freshly baked cookies,  smoke,  campfire,  lavender,  trees,  pumpkin pie,  musk,  rose, gingerbread,  peppermint,  oak,  honey,  lemon,  vanilla,  coffee,  mint,  raw hide,  chemicals.

—   HEADDRESS   & CLOTHES.       bonnet, cap,  hat,  hairnet,  beanie,  beret,  fez,  fedora,  kippah,  kufi,  summer hat,  top hat,  wide-brimmed hat,  helmet,  turban,  veil, kerchief,  head wrap,  wig  /  knee-high socks,   tights,  leggings  /  jeans,  tight pants,  jean shorts,  yoga pants,  sweatpants,  khaki pants,  suit,  harem pants,  basketball shorts  /  pencil skirt, tight skirt,  loose skirt, formfitting dress,  long skirt,  miniskirt,  maxidress,  sundress /  cardigans,  blouse,  button up shirt,  band t shirt,  sports t shirt,  tank top,  cut off t shirt  /  designer,  high street, online stores, thrift,  handmade  /  tie,  tuxedo,  ballgown,  cocktail dress,  high slit dress,  skirt /  loose clothing,  tight clothing  /  sweater,  sweater vest,  hoodie  /  boxers,  boxer briefs,  thong,  hot pants,  hipster panties, bra, sports bra,  crop top,  corset,  ballerina skirt,  leotard  / polka dot,  stripes, glitter,  silk,  lace,  leather,  velvet,  chemise,  cotton,  wool,  patterns,  florals /  neon colors,  pastels,  neutral colours, plaid,  black,  dark colours  /  fur,  faux fur.    

—   SHOES.         sneakers,  slip ons,  athletic slides, slippers,  sandals, high heels,  kitten heels,  ankle boots,  combat boots,  boots,  cowboy boots,  knee-high platforms,  bare feet, loafers.

—   JEWELLERY.     hairpin,  hair stick,  barrette,  tiara,  crown,  diadem,  circlet  / earrings,  stud earrings,  hoop earrings,  dangle earrings,  small earrings,  large earrings,  ear thread,  non-pierced earrings   /  necklace,  choker,  medium-length necklace,  long necklace,  looped necklace,  cross necklace,  pendant,   locket,  medallion  /  brooch, large brooch,  medium-sized brooch,  small brooch,  pendant brooch,  locket brooch   /  bracelet,  bangle,  beaded bracelet,  charm bracelet,  friendship bracelet,  link bracelet, slap bracelet,  anklet,  armband  /  ring,  carving ring,  ecclesiastical ring,  engagement ring,  mood ring,  mourning ring,  multi-finger ring,  poison ring,  portrait ring,  puzzle ring,  rosary ring,  signet ring,  thumb ring,  toe ring, wedding ring  /  neck rings,  body chains,  cufflinks,  genital jewellery  /  gold,  silver, platinum,  glass,  porcelain enamel,  shells,  bone,  ivory,  hemp,  twine,  wood, diamond, amber,  amethyst,  aquamarine, emerald,  jade,  jasper,  quartz,  ruby,  sapphire,  turquoise,  pearls,  jet.

TAGGED BY.   @guerissant thank you!!

❝  I  FOUND  MYSELF  DREAMING  IN  SILVER  AND  GOLD  LIKE  A  SCENE  FROM  A  novel  that  every  broken  heart  knows.  ❞          Her  voice  remained  so  soft  and  quiet,  as  if  ashamed  to  admit  it  to  her  husband’s  mother,  but  she  could,  should,  shouldn’t  she?          ❝  We  were  walking  on  moonlight  and  he  pulled  me  close…  split  second  and  he  disappeared  and  then  I  was  all  alone.  ❞     //     ( like i’m gonna lose you - megan trainor )

@cherisamie  liked  for  a  starter

                    PARIS  PRESENTED  AN  ENTIRE  NEW  WORLD  to  the  couple,  as  much  to  Katherine  as  John,  though  her  exploration  of  the  new  world  become  quickly  hampered.     Not  that  she  minded  in  the  least,  the  tiny  daughter  she  gave  birth  to  her  purest  joy.     The  birth  and  all  after  -  a  child  needing  her  at  every  hour  -  exhausted  her,  but  it  allowed  the  young  woman  time  to  think,  to  mull  over  their  situation,  her  actions.    Having  left  their  little  girl  asleep  in  her  cradle,  she  slipped  into  his  office  to  attempt  to  explain  her  conclusions.    His  reactions  to  her  attempts  left  her  cheeks  burning,  not  with  anger  but  with  shame.    It  was  not  that  she  still  deeply  desired  their  relationship  to  improve,  but  her  attempts  at  bringing  such  to  fruition  had  only  shoved  John  away  it  seemed.    Tears  pricked  at  her  eyes  as  her  stomach  rolled,  knowing  she  had  done  wrong.    Skirting  around  the  subject  did  little  good,  Katherine  realizing  she  would  simply  have  to  be  more  blunt.          ❝  John,  no,  I…    I  am  not  asking  anything  of  that  sort,  not  now.  ❞          She  took  a  step  toward  the  desk,  one  hand  resting  on  the  top  as  the  other  wrapped  about  her  dressing  gown.          ❝  I  merely…  I  do  not  speak  of  how  proud  of  you  I  am,  nor  how  much  I…  love  you  without  asking  anything  of  you  in  return  and  I…  I  wish  to  apologize.  ❞

What: Drabble

When: After Martha passed away on September 6th, 1782

Word Count: 1,020

Summary: Martha is awoken from eternal slumber to find her husband deeply grieving her passing.

Warnings: Death

     Depression ,  anger ,  sadness ,  blame – longing .  Martha could feel it looming over the property as if it was stuck in an indefinite storm that would never settle .  That was why she was there ,  disturbed by the heavy atmosphere that had taken over her once cheerful home .  It was not to say that she hadn’t been there all this time .  Her soul rested in a plot not too far away ,  buried there by broken friends and family several weeks ago .  Only was her soul pulled back to the world of the living when strong emotions were felt by the loved ones she left behind .