DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE ADOPTED WHILE MR. JEFFERSON GOES SHOPPING
Philadelphia (JFK+50) We all know, or should, that the Declaration of Independence was adopted 250 years ago today, July 4, 1776, by the Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia.
We also know, or should, that the document declaring America's independence from Great Britain, was largely written by Thomas Jefferson of Virginia.
But we do not know and probably shouldn't, what Mr. Jefferson was doing on that so important day in American History.
According to CNN's Harmeet Kaur, who researched "meticulous" memorandum books, Thomas Jefferson bought "a thermometer from John Sparhawk, an apothecary* and bookseller" whose shop was located on Second Street in Philadelphia.
Jefferson, according to his memorandum book, paid 3 pounds 15 shillings for this item.
The famous Founding Father and future President of the United States was not done shopping however. He also purchased seven pairs of women's gloves for 17 shillings.
Harmeet ponders how Mr. Jefferson had so much free time on this day, of all days, to go shopping. My question, however, is...
Why is he buying SEVEN pairs of WOMEN's gloves?
JFK+50 NOTE
An answer comes later on in the article. Nicole Brown, historian of Martha Jefferson at Monticello, says that Mr. Jefferson's purchase of women's gloves "reflects his sentimentality toward his wife and possibly other women in the family."
Maybe so, I can understand buying a pair or two, but seven pairs?
*apothecary (mixers of medicine) was a shop where herbal remedies, tinctures & drugs were sold. A precursor to modern pharmacies.
SOURCE
"July 4, 1776: The day Thomas Jefferson went shopping," by Harmeet Kaur, Fourth in America: CNN U.S., www.cnn.com/
