We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
History

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Was Thomas Jefferson a Popular President?

Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 3,810
References
Share

These days, U.S. presidents are given "approval ratings" in order to gauge public support during their tenure. Prior to the 20th century, though, it was far more difficult to discern just how popular a particular leader really was. In one striking incident back in 1802, the townspeople of Cheshire, Massachusetts, wanted newly-elected President Thomas Jefferson to have no doubt that he had their support.

On the first day of the year, John Leland, a Baptist preacher, arrived on Jefferson's doorstep with a token of the dairy farmers' esteem: a 1,235-pound (560-kg) block of cheese. In the statement presented to Jefferson, the group said: "We wish to prove the love we bear to our President not by words alone, but in deed and in truth. It is not the last stone of the Bastile (sic); nor is it an article of great pecuniary worth; but as a freewill-offering, we hope it will be favorably received."

The group was grateful to Jefferson for his writing of the Virginia statute that allowed freedom of religion. According to reports, the big cheese in Washington loved his gift, inviting some lawmakers to partake of the block that afternoon. The so-called "mammoth cheese" was so huge, however, that it was served at state dinners for several more years, before ultimately being unfit for anything except a drop into the Potomac River.

Jefferson's passions:

  • Thomas Jefferson loved books so much that after the Library of Congress' books were burned by British troops in 1814, he donated his collection of 6,487 volumes.

  • Jefferson was interested in archaeology and had the bones of a mastodon placed in the East Room of the White House.

  • Throughout his life, Jefferson wrote approximately 19,000 letters, even employing a machine that copied his writing as he worked.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Discussion Comments
Share
https://direct.wisegeek.com/was-thomas-jefferson-a-popular-president.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.