Tag Archives: Thomas Jefferson

The Norvell Boys Write to the President

In the 19th century, Americans often wrote to the chief executive asking for jobs or advice on how to conduct their lives. Two such letters were sent to Thomas Jefferson by members of the same family. The first one was … Continue reading

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Letters to Mr. Jefferson

Americans today view their president for the most part as a distant figure, protected by the secret service, and for the most part unreachable. It is surprising then to note that in the 19th century, Americans often wrote to the … Continue reading

Posted in American History, Ancestry, Family History, Journalism, Missouri History, Norvell Family History, Social History, Thomas Jefferson | Tagged , | Leave a comment

A Letter to Mr. Jefferson

In 1807, my great great grandfather John Norvell, then a 17 year-old boy, wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson, then president of the United States, asking him about his opinion of journalism as a future career. Danville, K[y]. May 9, … Continue reading

Posted in American History, Journalism, Michigan History, Norvell Family History, Philadelphia history, Social History, The press, Thomas Jefferson, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment