October 19: Birthday of Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson (1748)
Prayer Idea
Pray for women during pregnancy and childbirth.
History Note
Martha Wayles was born on October 19, 1748, in Charles City County, Virginia, to John and Martha Wayles. Baby Martha’s mother died a week after she was born.
In 1766 Martha married Bathurst Skelton at age 18. She bore their first child, John, in 1767. Bathurst died in 1768, and John died in 1771.
Thomas Jefferson and Martha Skelton were married on January 1, 1772. The Jeffersons had six children together. Four of them died in childhood. Martha (1772-1836) and Mary (1778-1804) were the only two to reach adulthood.
Martha Jefferson gave birth to Lucy Elizabeth Jefferson on May 8, 1782. The exact cause of Martha’s death is unknown, but she apparently never recovered from complications of childbirth. Martha died on September 6. (Lucy Elizabeth died two years later at age two.)
Thomas Jefferson buried his wife in the family graveyard at Monticello. He put this epitaph on her gravestone:
Martha Jefferson,
Daughter of John Wayles and Martha Eppes
Born October 19th, 1748, O.S.
Intermarried with Thomas Jefferson January 1st, 1772;
Torn from him by death September 6th, 1782:
No known portraits of Martha Jefferson exist. This is the Jefferson family cemetery at Monticello. Photo by Steven Phraner / Shutterstock.com.
Learn More
Watch a short video about Martha Jefferson.
Find more resources at Homeschool History.
