The two presidents had grown hostile to each other due to political differences, but in recent years they had reconciled and revived the mutual regard they’d felt back in 1776.
—From the July 8, 1826, issue of The Saturday Evening Post
The venerable patriarch and sage, the immortal author of the Declaration of Independence, THOMAS JEFFERSON, Esq. expired at his seat, at Monticello, on the fourth of July, at ten minutes before one o’clock, just FIFTY years since the promulgation, in the Halls of Congress, of the Liberties of this country. Mr. Jefferson had just reached the advanced age of eighty-three years, three months and two days, being born on the 2d of April, 1743.
The flags of the shipping in the Delaware, were hoisted at half mast, and the bells of the different churches were muffled, in testimony of respect for the departed patriot.
A gentleman arrived from the Eastward, last evening, informs us the venerable JOHN ADAMS, died at his seat at Quincy, near Boston, on the fourth of July, about five o’clock, P.M. but a few hours after the sage of Monticello!
United in the grand political concerns of life, thus in death they are not divided!
This article is featured in the July/August 2026 issue of The Saturday Evening Post. Subscribe to the magazine for more art, inspiring stories, fiction, humor, and features from our archives.
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