Mr. Jefferson was also known to borrow books from his neighbors. He once paid my Italian
immigrant ancestor (who came over with Mazzei and later worked at Monticello) "$1 for
damage to a book." Of course, we don't know from that notation whether Jefferson offered
the compensation, or Antonio requested it.
(My favorite entries in the account book, related to my ancestor, are the records showing
that Antonio went off to fight with the Albemarle Militia (to Yorktown) and returned, and
giving Antonio 45 gallons (!) of whiskey to celebrate the birth of his son Frances Thomas
(who Jefferson names in the Italian as Francesco Tomei).)
- Rosanna Bencoach
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