# 1299 - 1968 1c Prominent Americans: Thomas Jefferson, perf 10 vertical

 

Issue Date: January 12, 1968
City: Jeffersonville, IN
Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Rotary Press
Perforation: 10 vertically
Color: Green

 

The Prominent Americans Series recognizes people who played important roles in U.S. history. Officials originally planned to honor 18 individuals, but later added seven others. The Prominent Americans Series began with the 4¢ Lincoln stamp, which was issued on November 10, 1965. During the course of the series, the 6¢ Eisenhower stamp was reissued with an 8¢ denomination and the 5¢ Washington was redrawn.

 

A number of technological changes developed during the course of producing the series, resulting in a number of varieties due to gum, luminescence, precancels and perforations plus sheet, coil and booklet formats. Additionally, seven rate changes occurred while the Prominent Americans Series was current, giving collectors who specialize in first and last day of issue covers an abundance of collecting opportunities.

 

Thomas Jefferson was born in Goochland (now Albemarle) County, Virginia. His father died when Thomas was 14, and as the oldest boy, Jefferson became head of the family. He inherited more than 2,500 acres of land, and between 20 and 30 slaves. He received a first-rate education at William and Mary College in Williamsburg, and then studied law with George Wythe, one of the greatest law teachers in America. Jefferson practiced law from 1767 until 1774, when the American Revolution closed the courts. From 1769 to 1775, he served in the House of Burgesses, where he showed his great talents as a committeeman and skillful draftsman.

 

In 1768, Jefferson began planning his now-legendary mansion home, Monticello, and construction began in 1770. In 1772, Jefferson married Martha Wayles Skelton (1748-1782), a wealthy widow. The couple moved into Monticello, which was not fully completed until 1809. The Jeffersons had five children. Only two survived into adulthood – Martha (1772-1836) and Mary (1778-1804). Mrs. Jefferson died in 1782, after 10 years of marriage. Jefferson raised his two daughters and never re-married.

 

From the very start of the struggle with Britain, Jefferson was an outspoken leader for the Colonial cause. Jefferson represented Albemarle County at the First Virginia Convention, which was held to elect Virginia delegates to the First Continental Congress. However, he became ill and was unable to attend, but sent a letter stating his beliefs. Jefferson held the view that settlers in America had used their “natural rights.” These settlers owed allegiance only to the king, with whom they chose to stay loyal, and not to the British Parliament. He compared the first English settlers to the Saxons, who had left the area of present-day Germany and settled England hundreds of years before. He claimed the British Parliament had no more right to govern America than German leaders had to govern England. Jefferson published his views in a pamphlet titled A Summary View of the Rights of British America in 1774.