The Death of Two Presidents and Patriots

Blogger: Amber Schamel

Thomas Jefferson

July 4th, 1826 was more than just the 50th anniversary of the birth of America. It was also the day that the 2nd and 3rd Presidents died...just hours apart.

Thomas Jefferson was the main author of the Declaration of Independence and also the 3rd President of the United States of America. July of 1825 brought the deterioration of the patriot's health. Stress due to financial trouble probably contributed to his decline. He suffered from rheumatism as well as digestive disorders. By June of 1826, Jefferson was confined to his bed. A bad fever overcame him on July 3rd, and he passed on July the 4th at 83 years old.

Jefferson wrote his own epitaph which reads:
HERE WAS BURIED THOMAS JEFFERSON, AUTHOR OF THE DECLARATION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE, OF THE STATUTE OF VIRGINIA FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, AND FATHER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA."

John Adams

Just hours after, John Adams, the second President and also a contributor to the Declaration of Independence, was laying on his deathbed, suffering from congestive heart failure. As he breathed his last, he said, "Jefferson still survives." He was unaware of the fact that his friend had beat him to the prize.

Adams' son John Quincy, wrote in his dairy these remarks about the passing of the two men. "The time, the manner, the coincidence with the decease of Jefferson, are visible and palpable marks of divine favour, for which I would humble myself in grateful and silent adoration before the Ruler of the Universe."

Isn't it interesting that these two men, who were such long standing friends, and so closely tied in life were also closely tied in death?