Thomas Jefferson's self-composed epitaph - Charlottesville, Virginia
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member LJParr
N 38° 00.509 W 078° 27.347
17S E 723367 N 4209811
A large obelisk with the famous epitaph stands at Jefferson's tomb, in the Jefferson family cemetery, at Monticello.
Waymark Code: WMAWCZ
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 03/03/2011
Published By:Groundspeak Charter Member BruceS
Views: 12
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His self-composed epitaph on a simple shaft in the graveyard reads:

Here was buried

Thomas Jefferson

Author of Declaration of American Independence

Of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom

And Father of the University of Virginia.


From: Virginia - A Guide to the Old Dominion State, 1940 Pg 626, Tour 23A.

The obelisk at Jefferson's tomb, the second one to occupy the site, is larger than the original being placed by a 1878 Congressional Resolution after the first marker was vandalized. The base of the obelisk actually covers five graves including Jefferson and his wife Martha.

Book: Virginia

Page Number(s) of Excerpt: 626

Year Originally Published: 1940
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