America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray

America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray 

What an excellent book of historical fiction! This book is about the life of Martha (Patsy) Jefferson, daughter of Thomas Jefferson and her family. The book opens with the flight of Patsy, her mother, and baby sisters, Polly and Lucy, from their home at Monticello to a cabin hidden deep in the woods to avoid capture by the British.  Tragedy strikes after their return to Monticello when her mother dies after getting a promise from Patsy to take care of her father and a promise from her husband never to remarry. Thus, Patsy's life is set. She will take care of her father during his grief over the loss of his wife and later baby Lucy, while he is in Paris representing the United States, in Washington as Vice President and President, and finally during his remaining life at Monticello. The love of Patsy's life, William Short, is thwarted and she marries Tom Randolph with whom she bears 11 children.  Poverty and financial ruin are constant worries as is the necessity of owning slaves. There is so much depth of character and so much attention to detail that I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Read it.