1802 Thomas Jefferson’s pecan trees sent to Gen. John Mason

Discovered within our Dixon-Welling family papers at the Connecticut Historical Society is an autograph manuscript dated Nov 22, 1802 from Thomas Jefferson to Gen. John Mason asking acceptance of three peccan trees. Pecan trees..... interesting.

How this autograph was obtained by my family is a whole other discussion. At this time, it is not known.

Back to pecan trees. It is known that Thomas Jefferson planted pecan trees at Monticello. Searching Jefferson and pecans I find Jefferson and pecans can be traced to his visit to France, May 1787, where a specific tree today stands 30 meters high and 4.5 meters around at the Chateau Carbonnieux near Bordeaux. It is known as the “Jefferson Pecan” and there is a fascinating initiative underway associated with planting of Jefferson pecan trees around France. To learn more:https://pacanierjeffersonpecan.com/thomas-jeffersons-pecan/