His father, Peter Jefferson, dies.

Begins to study law with George Wythe at Williamsburg.

Passes the bar and begins to practice law in Albemarle and Augusta counties. Begins planting at Monticello.

Member of House of Burgesses for Albemarle County.

Moves to Monticello.

His daughter Martha Jefferson is born.

His daughter Jane Randolph Jefferson is born and dies in September 1775.

Attends Virginia Convention at Richmond.

Attends Virginia Convention at Richmond.

His mother, Jane Randolph Jefferson, dies.

Drafts Declaration of Independence.

Congress appoints Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane,  and TJ as commissioners to France. TJ declines to serve on 11 Oct.

Draws up and enrolls in a subscription to support an Albemarle clergyman, the Rev. Charles Clay.

Attends House of Delegates.

Unnamed son is born; dies 14 June.

Attends House of Delegates.

Mary (Maria) Jefferson, third daughter, is born.

Wins reelection to House of Delegates.

Becomes governor of Virginia; receives notification and sends message of acceptance, 2 June.

Prepares plans for building Fort Jefferson at the mouth of the Ohio River.

Becomes one of the directors for locating the public buildings and enlarging the town of Richmond.

Establishes a line of expresses from the armies in the Carolinas to Richmond and from Richmond to Alexandria.

Begins forming plans for an expedition by George Rogers Clark against Detroit.

Begins preparing answers to François Barbé de Marbois’s queries (origin of Notes on the State of Virginia).

Becomes a councilor of the American Philosophical Society.

Daughter Lucy Elizabeth dies.

British soldier Banastre Tarleton’s troops raid Monticello. TJ takes refuge with friends and, later, retires with his family to Poplar Forest, his plantation in Bedford County.

Congress appoints John Adams, John Jay, Henry Laurens, and TJ commissioners to negotiate peace with Great Britain.

Declines appointment to serve as a peace commissioner.

Attends General Assembly as member of House of Delegates.

Sends replies to François Barbé de Marbois’s queries concerning Virginia.

Declines serving as member of House of Delegates.

House of Delegates appoints him to a committee to investigate and publish findings concerning Virginia’s western claim.

Congress appoints him a peace commissioner.

Arrives in Philadelphia to prepare for departure to France.

Leaves Philadelphia.

Congress suspends his appointment as commissioner on news of preliminary peace.

Release from his mission to Europe after preliminary peace signed with England.

Drafts proposed constitution for Virginia.

Takes seat in Congress at Princeton.

Joins a committee to report on the definitive treaty with Great Britain.

Congress accepts Virginia’s cession of the territory northwest of the Ohio River.

Journeys from Annapolis to Boston en route to take passage for his diplomatic post in France.  

Lands at Cowes and travels to Portsmouth, England.

Crosses the English Channel to Le Havre.

At Rouen.

At Hôtel d’Orleans, rue de Richelieu.

Places his daughter Martha in the Abbaye Royale de Pentemont, a fashionable French convent school.

His daughter Lucy Elizabeth dies in Virginia.

Commissioners submit new project of treaty to Prussia.

Printing of Notes on the State of Virginia completed.

John Adams leaves Paris to take up his residence as minister to Great Britain.

Benjamin Franklin leaves Paris to return to America.

Appoints William Short as his secretary.

Obtains abatement of duties on American whale-oil imported into France.

Has conference with French minister of foreign affairs, Charles Gravier, comte de Vergennes, on commerce.

Virginia General Assembly passes an act for religious freedom, chiefly written by TJ in 1779.

Leaves Paris; arrives in London 11 Mch.

Presents credentials to King George III at the Court of St. James.

Signs treaty with Portugal.

Meets English artist Maria Hadfield Cosway through introduction by John Trumbull.

Yale University awards him honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.

With John Adams, reports to Congress on the success of negotiations with Morocco by U.S. consul to France, Thomas Barclay.

Daughter Mary (Polly) arrives with Sally Hemings in London and stays with Abigail Adams.

Federal Constitution drafted in Philadelphia is adopted and convention adjourns.

Receives reappointment as minister to France for three years from 10 Mch. 1788.

Sends Egyptian rice to South Carolina for experimentation.

Arrives in Paris.

Drafts proposal for consolidating and funding foreign debt of the United States.

Drafts Observations on the Whale-Fishery.

Receives portraits of himself and Thomas Paine from John Trumbull.

His “Crane Neck Chariot” arrives in Paris from London.

TJ witnesses opening of Estates General, French general assembly.

Gives dinner for Lafayette and receives tribute from some Americans in Paris.

Archbishop of Bordeaux invites TJ to help draft French constitution; TJ declines.

TJ receives congé (license to depart or leave of absence)—and a marble pedestal from French salonnière Madame de Tessé.

Senate confirms nomination of TJ as secretary of state. TJ leaves Paris with his two daughters, Adrien Petit, and James and Sally Hemings.

Arrives with daughters at Monticello.

Negotiates agreement for settlement of claims of Farell & Jones against estate of John Wayles.

Accepts appointment as secretary of state.

TJ leaves Monticello.

At Petersburg, issues bonds for his share of debt to Farell & Jones, proceeding northward under a personal indebtedness of £6,522.

Arrives in New York and reports to President George Washington.

Submits report on copper coinage.

Suffers periodic headache for six weeks.

Cabinet opinion brings first conflict with Alexander Hamilton over arrearages in soldiers’ pay.

Renders opinion on constitutionality of Residence Bill situating the U.S. capital along the Potomac.

Reports on candidates for consular vacancies.

Renders opinion on monopoly of trade with Creek Indians, upholding supremacy of treaties over laws.

Prepares letters for David Humphreys’ mission to Spain.

Departs with George Washington for Rhode Island; returns on 21 Aug.

Renders opinion on fiscal policy.

Departs New York with James Madison.

Reports to George Washington at Mount Vernon about conference.

Departs for Richmond on business affairs.

In company with James Madison, visits George Washington at Mount Vernon.

Returns fragment of Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography to Franklin’s grandson, William Temple Franklin.

Offers opinion on proposed textile manufactory in Virginia.

Reports on executive proceedings in Northwest Territory.

Drafts instructions on impressment of American seaman Hugh Purdie and others.

Reports on Mediterranean trade and Algerine captives.

Assists George Washington in preparation of proclamation locating Federal District.

Advertises for sale of his lands at Elk Hill.

Makes recommendations on consular vacancies.

Decision to confront Spain on Mississippi question and extradition of slaves.

Negotiates payment of U.S. debt to France.

Forwards Thomas Paine’s Rights of Man to printer.

Visits Unquachog Indians and records their vocabulary.

Leaves Philadelphia for Monticello, accompanied by James Madison.

Returns to Philadelphia.

Reports on public lands ceded to U.S. by North Carolina within Northwest Territory.

Presents plan of commercial treaty with France.

Offers resolutions on treaty with Algiers over captives and preservation of peace.

Notifies Pierre L’Enfant of his dismissal.

Solicits plans for Capitol and President’s House.

Reports on extradition convention with Spain.

Opinion on Apportionment Bill for representatives and direct taxation.

Seeks new commercial treaty with France.

Experiments with Hessian fly.

Prepares papers for sale of Elk Hill land.

Urges George Washington to serve a second term.

Leaves Philadelphia for annual visit to Monticello.

Denounces Alexander Hamilton to George Washington.

Returns to Philadelphia.

Orders halt in debt payments to France after learning of abrogation of Louis XVI.

Responds to Alexander Hamilton’s criticisms on French debt and Constitution.

Makes plans to resume building of Monticello in anticipation of retirement.

Writes thoughts on bankruptcy bill.

Makes notes on “affair of Reynolds and his wife” in his Anas volumes.

Prepares notes on Alexander Hamilton’s Report on Foreign Loans.

France declares war on Great Britain and the Netherlands.

Makes observations on the American debt to France.

Resolutions censuring Alexander Hamilton introduced and defeated in the House of Representatives.

Decides to rent house on the Schuylkill River from Moses Cox; takes up residence on 9 Apr.

Instructions concerning Marquis de Lafayette’s captivity.

Withdraws offer to guarantee Spanish possession of Louisiana.

George Washington proclaims neutrality on war between France and Great Britain.

Prepares instructions for French botanist André Michaux’s expedition of trans-Mississippi West.

Announces that French privateers outfitted in Charleston must leave American ports.

Prepares instructions to William Carmichael and William Short on diplomatic crisis with Spain.

Conference on William Thornton’s plan for the Capitol.

Notifies George Washington that he plans to retire as secretary of state at the end of September.

Cabinet approves neutrality rules.

Advises James Madison on Republican party strategy.

Writes letter to Gouverneur Morris requesting Edmond Charles Genet’s recall; cabinet approves recall on 20 Aug.

Admonishes French consular officials to respect American neutrality.

Instructs U.S. minister to Great Britain, Thomas Pinckney, to protest British violations of American neutral rights.

Protests to British minister, George Hammond, about British violations of American neutral rights.

Cabinet debates George Washington’s address and messages to Congress.

Report on Morocco and Algiers.

Report on Commerce; submits supplementary report on 30 Dec.

James Madison offers resolutions in House of Representatives to implement Jefferson’s Report on Commerce.

Travels to Chestnut Grove, Eppington, and Richmond.

Declines offer of special mission to Spain.

Signs deed of manumission for Robert Hemings, the first of his slaves actually released.

Criticizes George Washington’s address defending use of federal troops to quell Whiskey Rebellion and denouncing the Democratic Societies.

George Wythe suggests that Jefferson make available his collection of the laws of Virginia.

Receives copy of Jay Treaty sent by Henry Tazewell.

James and Dolley Payne Madison visit Monticello.

Sends his printed collection of Virginia statutes to Richmond binder.

Discusses state of American politics in private letter to Philip Mazzei.

Hosts French friends La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt and Constantin François Chasseboeuf Volney at Monticello.

George Washington writes TJ the final letter of their correspondence.

Writes John Adams a congratulatory letter on election but leaves its delivery to James Madison’s discretion.

American Philosophical Society installs him as its president.

His paper on the megalonyx, a ground sloth, is presented before the American Philosophical Society.

First appearance of attacks on TJ by Maryland lawyer, Luther Martin.

Urges Massachusetts statesman Elbridge Gerry to accept appointment as an envoy to France.

Journalist and scandal-monger James Thomson Callender asks for financial assistance.

Daughter Mary marries John Wayles Eppes at Monticello.

Aids Polish patriot and exile Tadeusz Kosciuszko in his secret departure from Philadelphia.

Departs Philadelphia, arriving at Montpelier 2 July and at Monticello the next day.

Writes resolutions against Alien and Sedition Acts (adopted by Kentucky legislature in November).

Plans to delay trip to Philadelphia to oversee work at Monticello.

Leaves Monticello, spending first night at Montpelier and arriving in Philadelphia on Christmas.

Granddaughter Cornelia Jefferson Randolph is born.

Leases fields at Shadwell to Craven Peyton.

Virginia legislature chooses James Monroe for governor.

George Washington dies at Mount Vernon.

Daughter Mary gives birth to a daughter.

Invites Joseph Priestley to offer his views on education.

Seeks George Wythe’s aid in compiling parliamentary manual.

Appendix to the Notes on Virginia is published.

Harvests good wheat crop at Monticello by this date.

Insures buildings at Monticello through Mutual Assurance Society for $6,300.

Writes summary of his public service.

Learns from James Monroe about Gabriel’s slave revolt in Virginia.

Visits Poplar Forest.

Learns of Republican majority of electoral votes from South Carolina.

Reports probability of electoral tie between himself and Aaron Burr.

Continues as president of the American Philosophical Society.

Senate approves convention with France, with proviso.

Offers Henry Dearborn secretaryship of the War Department.

Offers Meriwether Lewis appointment as private secretary.

Presents farewell address to the Senate as vice president.

Takes oath of office in Senate chamber as third president of the U.S.

Holds first cabinet meeting; Albert Gallatin, Henry Dearborn, and Levi Lincoln attend.

Hires Joseph Rapin as steward of the President’s House.

Treaty of Aranjuez formally acknowledges Spanish cession of Louisiana to France.

Leaves Washington, D.C.,  for Monticello, arriving on 4 Apr.

Cabinet agrees to reduction of diplomatic establishment in Europe.

Appoints Samuel Bishop collector at New Haven in place of Elizur Goodrich.

Withdraws gift of $50 and severs ties with James Thomson Callender.

Articulates his patronage policy in his reply to remonstrance of New Haven merchants.

Begins to acquire Albemarle County land from the heirs of Bennett Henderson.

Leaves Washington, D.C., for Monticello, arriving on 2 Aug.

Receives first letter from “Nicholas Geffroy.”

Étienne Lemaire assumes stewardship of the President’s House.

Francis Eppes, TJ’s grandson, born at Monticello.

Gideon Granger accepts appointment as postmaster general.

Forwards vaccine matter to John Vaughan in Philadelphia.

Sends James Monroe opinion on removal of rebellious slaves from Virginia.

Announces final ratification of the Convention of 1800, ending the Quasi-War with France.

Replies to Danbury Baptist Association, describing the “wall of separation” between church and state in America.

Replies to address by Little Turtle of the Miami Indians.

Appoints John Beckley first librarian of Congress.

Arthur St. Clair writes to defend himself against charges of misconduct as governor of Northwest Territory.

Authorizes navy commanders to capture Tripolitan vessels.

Meets with Seneca Indian delegation, led by Handsome Lake and Cornplanter.

France and Great Britain sign definitive treaty of peace at Amiens, France.

Contributes $100 toward rebuilding Nassau Hall at the College of New Jersey at Princeton.

Leaves Washington, D.C., for Monticello, arriving on 8 May.

Appoints Robert Brent first mayor of Washington, D.C.

Forwards lists of books to be purchased for Congress to William Duane, George W. Erving, and William Short.

Drafts letter of peace and amity to Mawlay Sulayman, sultan of Morocco.

Visits James Madison at Montpelier to discuss Mediterranean affairs.

Richmond Recorder publishes allegations of his relationship with Sally Hemings.

Receives news that peace is restored with Morocco.

Removes Arthur St. Clair as governor of the Northwest Territory.

Sends plans for dry dock at Washington to Congress.

Sends memorandum on Indian policy to Henry Dearborn.

Nominates James Monroe to be minister extraordinary and plenipotentiary to France and Spain.

Sends circular letter to governors on the importance of the militia system to national defense.

Leaves Washington for Monticello, arriving 11 Mch.

Leaves Monticello for Washington, arriving 3 Apr.

Pledges to use “best endeavors” to remove discussion of Walker affair from newspapers.

Robert R. Livingston writes that New Orleans and Louisiana “are ours.”

Denies pardon request of convicted slave trader Nathaniel Ingraham.

Great Britain declares war on France.

Meriwether Lewis invites William Clark to join him on western expedition.

Receives address from Philadelphia ward committees protesting the paucity of Federalist removals.

É. I. du Pont de Nemours seeks government contract for new gunpowder mill near Wilmington, Delaware.

Frigate Philadelphia captures Moroccan cruiser Mirboka and liberates American brig Celia near Spain.

Renews lease of fields and slaves to John H. Craven.

Donates $100 for victims of yellow fever outbreak in Alexandria.

Samuel Adams dies in Boston.

Sends third annual message to Congress.

Proclaims ratification of the Louisiana treaty and conventions.

Frigate Philadelphia and crew captured by Tripolitan gunboats in the Mediterranean.

British minister Anthony Merry and his wife, Elizabeth, dine at the President's House.

Meets with Choctaw delegation in Washington.

Receives Venus flytrap seeds from Timothy Bloodworth.

Meets with Aaron Burr to discuss their strained political relationship.

Joseph Priestley dies at home in Northumberland, Pennsylvania.

Sailors under the command of Lieutenant Stephen Decatur, Jr., burn the frigate Philadelphia in Tripoli harbor.

Commences use of polygraph writing machine.

Calculates tobacco crop for 1803 at Poplar Forest to be 36,509 pounds.

Writes to William Dunbar about calculating the velocity of water in rivers.

John Randolph reports articles of impeachment against Judge Samuel Chase to the House of Representatives.

Leaves Washington for Monticello, arriving 4 Apr.

Mary Jefferson Eppes, TJ’s daughter, dies at Monticello.

Napoleon Bonaparte proclaimed Emperor of the French.

Writes to Charles Biddle about his son’s captivity in Tripoli.

Charles Willson Peale, Alexander von Humboldt, and others dine at the President’s House.

Writes to Alexander I, Emperor of Russia.

Napoleon Bonaparte crowned emperor of the French.

Spain declares war on Great Britain.

Reelected president of the American Philosophical Society.

Signs act for creation of Michigan Territory.

William Dunbar begins sending information from Ouachita River expedition.

Electoral ballots opened and tallied in the Senate chamber: 162 for Jefferson and Clinton, 14 for Pinckney and King.

Signs act to give Orleans Territory a general assembly; Senate approves nominations of Robert Smith as attorney general and Jacob Crowninshield as secretary of the navy.