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Birth
Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743 in Shadwell, Virginia. His parents are Jane Randolph Jefferson and Peter Jefferson. He was the third child out of nine. -
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Thomas Jefferson Life
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The Colonial Period
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Jefferson started school
Jefferson begins attending a local school run by a Scotsman -
Jefferson's Fahter's Death
When Peter Jefferson died Thomas Jefferson was only 14 years old. -
Jefferson attends the school of the Reverend James Maury
Jefferson attends the school of the Reverend James Maury in Fredericksville Parish. He begins keeping a literary commonplace book, writing extracts in it from Greek, Latin, and English -
Jefferson leaves the school of the Reverend James Maury
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Jefferson attends the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg.
He studies mathematics and philosophy. He learns French, practices the violin, and gains a reputation for studiousness. -
Jefferson graduates from William and Mary
Jefferson graduates from William and Mary in 1762. -
inheriting 2,750 acres
Jefferson comes of age, inheriting 2,750 acres from his father's estate.
Jefferson's 21st Birthday. -
passing bar examination
Jefferson passes his bar examination and returns to Shadwell. The courts close during the Stamp Act Crisis. -
Jefferson begins practicing law
Jefferson begins practicing law in Albemarle and Augusta counties. -
Virginia House of Burgesses
Jefferson takes his seat as representative from Albemarle County in the Virginia House of Burgesses. -
Marriage
Jefferson marries Martha Wayles Skelton, a widow, aged twenty-three. -
First continental congress draft
Jefferson drafts instructions for the Virginia delegates to the first Continental Congress. In the draft, Jefferson argues that Parliament has no governing rights over the colonies and asserts that the colonies have been independent since their founding. -
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The American Revolution
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second Continental Congress
Jefferson is elected as a delegate to the second Continental Congress to replace Peyton Randolph, the former president of Congress, who is now presiding over the Virginia House of Burgesses. -
Mother Died
Jefferson's mother, Jane Randolph Jefferson, dies. -
Jefferson writes several drafts of a constitution
Jefferson writes several drafts of a constitution for Virginia, although he is not a member of the committee assigned to do so. -
Declaration of independence
Publishing of D.O.I. -
governor of Virginia
Jefferson is elected governor of Virginia for a one-year term. -
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The Early Republic
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Presidency
elected into first term -
2nd term
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Ends 2nd Presidency
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Thomas jefferson Died
