A PRESIDENTIAL PURSUIT, PART THREE: THOMAS JEFFERSON

AUTHOR'S NOTE:  Here is the third and final installment of my article on bird-hunting presidents.  The first two installments on George Washington and John Adams were previously published on Upland Equations. 

A PRESIDENTIAL PURSUIT, PART THREE:

THOMAS JEFFERSON

By Andrew M. Wayment

Our third president, Thomas Jefferson is not considered as much of a hunter by most historians.  For example, on September 11, 1892, in an article entitled, “Presidents as Sportsmen,” The New York Times reported: “To go back to the early Presidents, we find them not given to sports, as a general thing.  Thomas Jefferson was too busy until he became too old.  In his young days, of course, he hunted, for to this day, there is very good shooting at Monticello . . . .”  In a more recent, article in February 1984 issue of Sports Afield Magazine, entitled, “Our Hunting Presidents” by Grits Gresham, Jefferson barely made the list of hunting presidents with a very cursory reference that Jefferson was “a hunter and fisherman,” but there is no reference as to what he hunted or fished.   

Our third President, Thomas Jefferson, was a bird hunter.

However, there is significant evidence to show that Jefferson truly enjoyed hunting.  For example, in 1785 Jefferson wrote to his fifteen-year-old nephew, Peter Carr, regarding his thoughts on the best form of exercise: “I advise the gun. While this gives a moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body, and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun, therefore, be the constant companion of your walks."  Likewise, on July 20, 1822, towards the end of his life, Jefferson wrote to Peter Minor: “I am a great friend to the manly and healthy exercises of the gun.”

On April 25, 1812, Jefferson wrote to James Maury: "All of my old friends are nearly gone . . . . We would beguile our lingering hours with talking over our youthful exploits, our hunts on Peter's mountain."  This statement shows that from his youth, Jefferson had a proclivity to hunt and he reflected on this often in his later years.    

Jefferson's Monticello

There is considerable evidence that much of Jefferson’s hunting was for birds.  For example, in his Memoirs of a Monticello Slave, Isaac Jefferson, a former slave at Monticello, gives a description of Thomas Jefferson as a hunter.  He recalled that Jefferson hunted "squirrels and partridges; kept five or six guns.”  As for Jefferson’s personal sporting ethic, Isaac Jefferson stated: “Old Master wouldn't shoot partridges settin'. Said 'he wouldn't take advantage of 'em' - would give 'em a chance for thar life. Wouldn't shoot a hare settin', nuther; skeer him up fust."  Interestingly, Jefferson would not pot a bird on the ground, but insisted on taking them on the wing, which is an ethic that most upland game hunters espouse today.  Thus, for Jefferson, hunting was not just about getting meat for the table, but took on the nature of sport.  

    

In a letter to Frances Wayles Eppis, dated September 6, 1811, Thomas Jefferson wrote: "[Thomas Jefferson Randolph] & myself intend you a visit in November, and it will then be a question for the consideration of your papa and yourself whether you shall not return with us & visit your cousins. This will be acceptable to us all, and only deprecated by the partridges & snowbirds against which you may commence hostilities.”  From this statement, one gets a sense of Jefferson’s excitement for the upcoming bird hunt with family and friends.     

As for the birds that Jefferson hunted, in his book, Spook, the late Dave Henderson of Charlotte, North Carolina, sheds some light on the identity of the bird Jefferson referred to as a “partridge”:

A footnote should explain that “quail” superceded “partridge,” or more phonetically “pat’ridge” or “podditch,” on the tongues of southerners in the twenties or thirties. . . .  Old men spoke of partridges when I was growing up in the post-World War I era.  There was no misindentification—grouse simply were unknown except in the mountains, so oldsters were talking about the small brown bombers that coveys up for the convenience of pointing dogs and smoothbore gunners. 

Jefferson's "Patridge": the Bobwhite Quail

 

Thus, the “partridge” Isaac Jefferson and Thomas Jefferson himself referred to is most likely the bobwhite quail.  Jefferson’s mention of “snowbirds” could be a reference to the ruffed grouse because of its tendency to burrow into the snow as a survival technique during a blizzard.  Perhaps Jefferson hunted the wily ruffed grouse when he went with his youthful friends to Peter’s Mountain.

Unlike Washington, Jefferson did not hunt with dogs.  Although he brought back a few shepherds dogs from France, he was generally not a lover of dogs.  In fact, in a letter to Peter Minor dated September 24, 1811, he wrote: 

I participate in all your hostility to dogs, and would readily join in any plan of exterminating the whole race. I consider them as the most afflicting for all the follies for which men tax themselves. But as total extermination cannot be hoped for let it be partial . . . . should we not add a provision for making the owner of a dog liable for all the mischief done by him, and requiring that every dog shall wear a collar with the name of the person inscribed who shall be security for his honest demeanor?

Obviously, Jefferson had no experience or appreciation for hunting dogs or he may have thought differently.  Notwithstanding, as the foregoing evidence shows, Jefferson remained a fan of wingshooting throughout his life.    

  

CONCLUSION

In the United States, many now consider hunting as archaic, barbaric or politically incorrect.  With this hostility toward shooting sports, it is important to know and understand that three of the most influential founders of our Nation, who later became our first three presidents, all were hunters and most likely, to some degree, wingshooters.  Also, it should be noted that they were not just pursuing the game for food, but also for pleasure. 

Notably, two of these men, Jefferson and Adams, were signers of the Declaration of Independence and one was the general who later led the Continental Army to victory.  Undoubtedly, these men were all instrumental in obtaining the freedoms that we enjoy.  In “Our Hunting Presidents,” Grits Gresham wrote that while George Washington became one of the greatest of the Founders of our nation, the true desires of his heart “were his horses and his hounds and to note in his diary that he’d ‘gone a hunting.’”   With this in mind, one can’t help but wonder when the framers wrote, “Life, liberty, and the Pursuit of happiness” in the Declaration of Independence, if maybe, in some small degree, this included the hunting that they loved.  Indeed, hunting is a presidential pursuit.   

The Signing of the Declaration of Independence by John Trumball

A PRESIDENTIAL PURSUIT, PART TWO: JOHN ADAMS

AUTHOR'S NOTE:  Below is Part Two of my article, "A Presidential Pursuit" which pertains to the second U.S. President John Adams and his intense, but short, hunting career.  The first part of this article regarding George Washington was posted on Upland Equations last week.  As always, any feedback is greatly appreciated.   

A PRESIDENTIAL PURSUIT, PART TWO

JOHN ADAMS 

Braintree was the home of the young, John Adams.

John Adams was born on October 30, 1735, in Braintree, (now known as Quincy) Massachusetts on the family farm.  While his hunting career was much shorter than his predecessor in office, this does not mean it was any less significant or intense.  In fact, in his own words, when Adams was a child, he was extremely zealous for the hunt. In his Autobiography, Adams wrote:

I shall not consume much paper in relating the Anecdotes of my Youth. I was sent to the public School close by the Stone Church, then kept by Mr. Joseph Cleverly, who died this Year 1802 at the Age of Ninety. Mr. Cleverly was through his whole Life the most indolent Man I ever knew excepting Mr. Wibirt though atolerable Schollar and a Gentleman. His inattention to his Schollars was such as gave me a disgust to Schools, to books and to study and I spent my time as idle Children do in making and sailing boats and Ships upon the Ponds and Brooks, in making and flying Kites, in driving hoops, playing marbles, playing Quoits, Wrestling, Swimming, Skaiting and above all in shooting, to which  [illegible]  Diversion I was addicted to a degree of [Ardor which I know] not that I ever felt for any other Business, Study or Amusement.

(emphasis  added).  As shown by this passage, Adams writes of his addiction to “shooting” and states that he was addicted to this diversion more than any other diversion in his life.  With someone so accomplished in his life, the significance of this statement cannot be overlooked.  As a child, Adams loved hunting more than any business, study or amusement of his life.   

The Birthplace of President John Adams in Braintree, Massachusetts. 

While Adams did not report specifically what animals he hunted, it is very likely that, among the game animals, he hunted birds.  In his Autobiography Adams wrote of his “Zeal for my Gun, Fowling Piece.”  Interestingly, Adams crossed out the term gun and purposely substituted “Fowling Piece.”  Thus, we can assume that he primarily hunted birds and other small game with this firearm.  One can imagine him hunting ruffed grouse, waterfowl, or the abundant heath hens as he walked to school. 

Unlike the young Adams, Adam’s father was alarmed at his son’s enthusiasm for hunting because he wanted his son to be educated.  His father asked him at age ten, "What would you do, child?" John answered back, "Be a farmer." The next day John's father took the boy to fields and worked him like an adult. The night after young John came back tired, sore, and covered in dirt, his father asked John, "Well, John, are you satisfied with being a farmer?" His father, hoping he had taught his son a valuable lesson, was surprised by the answer. "I like it very well, Sir.”

Adams later confessed to his father that major reason for his dislike of school was because of his teacher, Mr. Cleverly, and his father readily agreed to get him a new instructor, Mr. Marsh.  Upon obtaining a new teacher, Adams reported:  “[To this School I went,] where I was kindly treated, and I began to study in Earnest. My Father soon observed the relaxation of my Zeal for [my] Fowling Piece and my daily encreasing Attention to my Books.” 

Unfortunately, we lost a hunter from the ranks of history, but gained a true statesman and proponent of the cause of freedom.  As we know, Adams ambition drove him to become an attorney, a patriot, an Ambassador to England, a Vice President and subsequently, President of the United States, but it is interesting to note that his parents were worried for a time that he would not amount to much because of his evident passion for hunting.  

Our Second President, John Adams

In William Harnden Foster’s book, New England Grouse Shooting, he wrote: “There is an old New England saying to the effect that if you give a man a shotgun, a bird dog and a violin, he won’t amount to a damn.”  Obviously, Adams avoided the effects of the all-consuming addiction to hunting.  Nonetheless, in his own words, we see that he fervently loved it in his youth.      

A PRESIDENTIAL PURSUIT: PART ONE

AUTHOR'S NOTE:  It has been a long time since I did a Historian's Corner piece on Upland Equations.  I wrote "A Presidential Pursuit" last year, but just didn't get around to getting it published in a magazine or elsewhere.  Notwithstanding, I love it and decided to share it with the followers of Upland Equations.    This historical article shares little known facts that suggest that the first three Presidents of the United States, George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson were, to some degree, bird hunters.  Due to its length, I have decided to split it into three sections, which will be published once a week for the next three weeks.  The first contains the introduction and the section pertaining to George Washington, the second pertains to John Adams, and the third pertains to Thomas Jefferson.  As always, I would appreciate any feed back as I am considering including this in an upcoming book about bird hunting.

A PRESIDENTIAL PURSUIT

By Andrew M. Wayment

Throughout American history, much has been written about United States Presidents who were also sportsmen.  Most American historians know that George Washington was an avid horseman and fox hunter, but many do not know or agree that he was also a regular bird hunter.  Likewise, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson hardly even make the list of sporting presidents.  However, there is considerable evidence that, at various stages of their lives, both were hunters, and bird hunters in particular.  This article will share some often overlooked or ignored firsthand evidence suggesting that the first three presidents were, to some extent, bird hunters.  

It should be noted outright that during colonial times, the British considered “hunting” as an activity that was done on horseback with dogs, but without guns.  Whereas, “shooting” was considered by the British as the pursuit of wild game, and birds particularly, with a firearm.  This article pertains to hunting birds with firearms and the terms, “shooting” and “hunting” are used interchangeably except where otherwise noted.  

ADDRESSING A COMMON MISPERCEPTION

A recurring assertion made by historians over the years is that during the colonial period of America most did not consider hunting as a sport.  For example, in George Washington, Sportsman: From his Own Journals, John C. Phillips asserted: “[W]e know that shooting with a scatter gun was scarcely considered a sport in America until long after Washington’s time.” 

While many during this period of early America may not have considered hunting as sport, there is ample evidence to show that some did.  Interestingly, a statement from Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography illustrates how he perceived fishing and hunting during colonial times: 

In order to secure my Credit and Character as a Tradesman, I took care not only to be in Reality Industrious & frugal, but to avoid all Appearances to the Contrary.  I dressed plainly; I was seen at no Places of idle Diversion; I never went out a-fishing or Shooting; a Book, indeed, sometimes debauch’d me from my Work; but that was seldom, snug, & gave no Scandal . . . .

The industrious Ben Franklin refused to hunt or fish because he saw these activities as idle diversions.

As shown by this passage, Franklin already considered fishing and shooting as a diversion, or a pastime if you will, in which he refused to participate due to his desire to be industrious.  As set forth below, there is substantial evidence to show that our first three presidents also considered hunting as sport which they did for pleasure.   

   

 PART ONE: GEORGE WASHINGTON

Undoubtedly, George Washington was an excellent equestrian and an avid fox hunter and even bred his own fox hounds.  By far, this was his first love in the outdoors.  However, this was only one facet of his sporting life.  Washington was also a regular wingshooter.  

Washington was an excellent horseman and loved to hunt fox with his own pack of hounds.

   

Contrary to the evidence, some writers have concluded that George Washington was not much of a bird hunter.  For example, in George Washington, Sportsman: From his Own Journals,  John C. Phillips asserted: “We see very little mention of bird shooting in the journals, although Mount Vernon was most favorably situated on one of the best wild-fowl rivers of the Chesapeake region. . . . There is no evidence that Washington was a good wing shot.  Had he been one we would surely have more records of his shooting expeditions or items of expense in the purchase of guns.”  Likewise, H.L. Betten wrote in Upland Game Shooting: “George Washington, who did but little game shooting, confessed to his love for the woodcock.” 

Contrary to these writer’s conclusions, evidence exists that Washington was a regular bird hunter and a proficient wingshot.  In his journal, there are multiple references to Washington going duck hunting, or “ducking” or “gunning” as he called it.  On one occasion, he went duck hunting five days in a row.   

  

Also, there is an entry on December 23, 1768: “Went a Pheasant Huntg.” This reference to “pheasant” was, of course, not a reference to the Chinese Ring-Neck Pheasant as they would not be established in North America for over a hundred years.  In American Partridge and Pheasant Shooting―1877, Frank Schley sheds some light on Washington’s reference to a “pheasant”: 

The American Ruffed Grouse derives its name from a peculiar tuft of numerous (twenty to thirty) broad, soft, glossy, black feathers, on the sides of the neck, which it sometimes raises as a ruff.  As this bird is known so generally in Maryland as the Pheasant, and by no other name, I will call it the Pheasant, because many of our sportsmen would not know the bird by its true name Grouse.”   
   

Thus, the “pheasant” Washington referred to and hunted was most likely the ruffed grouse.  This is the only reference in his journals to the ruffed grouse.  There is are also references to turkey hunting in Washington’s journal.  

There is no reference in Washington’s journals about hunting woodcock, but eastern ruffed grouse hunters know that the two birds frequently inhabit the same coverts.  Thus, it is not out of the question to conclude that Washington may have also hunted woodcock on occasion.  The source of H.L. Betten’s quote regarding Washington’s professed love of the woodcock is not mentioned in Upland Game Shooting and is unknown to this author.  However, there is a letter written by Washington to Mrs. George William Fairfax at Fort Cumberland, on May 14, 1755, in which he asserted regarding British General Braddock, 

I have at last, with great pains and difficulty, discovered the Reason why Mrs. Wardrope is a greater favourite of Genl. Braddock’s than Mrs. Fairfax; and met with more respect at the late review in Alexandria.  

The cause I shall communicate, after rallying for neglecting the means that introduced her to his favour which to say truth were in [?] a present of delicious Cake, and potted Wood cocks; that they wrought such wonders [?] upon the heart of the General [?] as upon those of the gentlemen that they became instant Admirers, not only the charms, but the Politeness of this Fair Lady. 

In this letter, Washington refers to General Braddock’s love of the woodcock that Mrs. Fairfax cooked for him.  Although this does not refer directly to Washington’s opinion on the gustatory delights of the woodcock, his favorable description suggests that he may have been a fan of the little russet fellow.  Perhaps this is the source of Betten’s assertion. 

    

Contrary to John C. Phillip’s assertion regarding Washington’s lack of purchase of guns, there is direct evidence of Washington’s purchase of fowling pieces, the shotguns of his day.  On July 20, 1767, Washington ordered a fowling piece for his stepson, Master Custis who was 14 years old.  On this occasion, he ordered: “1 Handsome fowling piece, to be 3 feet 2 Inchs. in the Barl. And of an Inch in the bore. Silv’r Mounted.” On another occasion, he ordered for himself: “As handsome a fowling piece 3 feet in Barl. As can be bot. for 3 Guins.”  Thus, he clearly ordered and owned fowling pieces.   

By asserting that there is no evidence that Washington was an able wing-shooter, Phillips ignored the entries in Washington’s sporting journals, which, ironically, Phillips compiled and published.  Washington’s journals show that he regularly came home with a successful bag and sometimes collected as many as 8 ducks from an outing.  That’s not bad for any wingshooter.  

Perhaps one of the best pieces of evidence on Washington’s proficiency with and respect for the use of a fowling piece comes from one of Washington’s letters during the Revolutionary War.  On August 28, 1777 in a letter to Colonel John D. Thompson, Washington wrote: 

. . . [I]t gives me pleasure to hear that your people are so unanimously bent upon giving opposition to the Enemy.  I wish it was in my power to furnish every man with a firelock that is willing to use one, but that is so far from being the Case that I have scarcely Sufficient for the Continental Troops.  As it is needless to keep Men together without Arms, I would advise you to collect as many Arms as you possibly can and then class your Battalion; let the unarmed go home and at a certain period relieve their Companions.  It is to be wished, that every Man could bring a Musket and Bayonet into the field, but in times like the present, we must make the best shift we can, I wou’d therefore advise you to exhort every Man to bring the best he has.  A good fowling Piece will do execution in the hands of a Marksman.   

Washington’s last comment suggests that he was someone who understood firsthand what a fowling piece could do in the hands of someone who knew how to use it.   I submit that this is because he had experience with fowling pieces through his own bird hunting. 

Washington and the Continental Army crossing the Delaware River.

      

 One of the most overlooked pieces of evidence of Washington as a bird hunter is the fact that he had what were quite possibly bird dogs.  Washington is well known for his breeding of fox hounds, but in his journal he also makes mention of his “Water dog Pilot” and of his “little spaniel dog Pompey.”  While Washington never expressly mentioned hunting with these dogs, with his clear use of hounds for hunting foxes, one can deduce that that he very likely also used these dogs during his wingshooting excursions.  

Washington owned a pair of English Water Spaniels. 

While bird hunting was not Washington’s first outdoor love, this evidence all suggests that he was more than just an occasional, casual participant in wingshooting.  This was something that he truly enjoyed.