Archaeology

Thomas Jefferson was at Eppington when a letter from President George Washington appointed him the first Secretary of State at the outbreak of the French Revolution. The widowed Jefferson left his daughters at Eppington when he went to France. His youngest daughter Lucy Elizabeth (age 2) died there of whooping cough and was the first burial in the Epps family cemetery. Her 2 year old cousin Lucy Epps was buried beside her within 2 weeks. A Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey (PDF) of the graveyard at Eppington revealed 10 adult graves, 16 infant graves, and two vaults.

The Graveyard at Eppington

The mystery is where is Lucy Jefferson buried?
The images below depict Thomas Jefferson grieving at the Eppington Graveyard, a view of the tombstones and the graveyard.

Actor Portrayal of Thomas Jefferson kneeling in Eppington Cemetery
Headstones and grave marker in Eppington Cemetery
Headstones in Eppington Cemetery
Tombstones in Eppington Cemetery

Archaeological Reports

The archeological potential of the slave quarter area located east of the house is staggering, and funding is needed to buy this property.

Ground Penetrating Radar SurveyGPR-Survey In Progreee


A ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey was conducted at the family cemetery on Eppington Plantation in southwestern Chesterfield County, Virginia. The purpose of the survey was to help locate burials in a non-destructive way. The plantation is famous not only as the 18th century home of the Francis Eppes VI family, but also for its strong family connection to Thomas Jefferson, 3rd president of the United States.

Excavations