The Lexington Times

Lexington Toasted Jefferson's "Declining Days." He Had Been Dead for Seventeen Days.

On July 4, 1826 — the 50th anniversary of the Declaration — Lexington's Jubilee dinner toasted the living Thomas Jefferson, wishing cheer for 'his declining days.' Jefferson had died at Monticello about an hour earlier, and John Adams that same afternoon. The Kentucky Gazette of July 21, 1826 printed the toasts on page 1 and the death announcement on page 3 of the same issue. First in the Fabled Fourths series.