Jefferson's handwritten list of the Vegetable Market in Washington City

Artichokes, Broccoli, Eggplants, Sprouts and Watermelon were just some of the 37 vegetables and fruits sold from 1801-1809 and written down by Thomas Jefferson.  An avid gardener and collector, Thomas Jefferson kept records of the wide variety of plants in his gardens, but as President he also kept track of the vegetable market in Washington, D.C., charting the first and last days the vegetables were available. 
  
The chart was first published in a magazine in 1842 as a typed (see below) “table copied from his own manuscript, in possession of a gentleman in Washington” and later a handwritten form appeared in an 1858 book.

Artichokes, Asparagus, Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflowers, Celery, Corn, Corn Sallad (Valeriana Locusta, grows among corn), Cresses, Cucumbers, Currants, Eggplants, Endive, Grapes, Snaps, Lettuce, Lima Beans, Melons, Mushrooms, Parsley, Parsnips – Windsor, Peas, Potatoes – Irish (white), Radishes, Raspberries, Sorrell, Spinach, Sprouts, Squashes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Salsafia (Salsify), Watermelons.

Vegetable Market at Washington

"It is well known that President Jefferson, while engaged in transacting the great affairs of the nation, found time also to gratify his taste for philosophical inquiries into the most minute matters.  As one proof of this, we publish below a table, copied from his own manuscript, in possession of a gentleman in Washington.  It is a Register of the Vegetable Market of that city for eight years, viz. from 1801 to 1809 – showing the date of the appearance and continuance in market, of the different kinds of Vegetables, and is, probably, a summary of similar tables kept each year."

Hazard's United States Commercial and Statistical Register. Phila: June 29, 1842

"This is a table beautifully drawn up, giving the average earliest and latest appearance of thirty-seven varieties of vegetables in the Washington market during the whole eight years of his presidency! To think of a leader of a great civil revolution—the founder of a new party and creed—the statesman engaged in the pressing cares of a nation—watching with a green-grocer's assiduity, and recording with more than a green-grocer's precision, the first and last appearance of radishes, squashes, cabbages, and cauliflowers in the market—suggests a curious train of reflections!"

Randall, Henry.  The Life of Thomas Jefferson.   1858

For gardening books of that time, check out Early gardening books, links particularly The American Gardener's Calendar by Bernard M'Mahon.  Philadelphia: 1806.  (DC chart 1801-1809)


Painting by James Peale (1749-1831) - brother, not one of the many sons, of the famous artist Charles Willson Peale.  Both were born in Maryland and lived in Philadelphia.

©2014 Patricia Bixler Reber

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