Miniature portrait of Francis Wayles Eppes

Francis was born in 1801. His mother was Thomas Jefferson’s daughter, Mary Jefferson Eppes. His father was John Wayles Eppes. When Francis was three years old, his mother died.

Francis spent much of his life at Monticello. His grandfather encouraged his love of learning. Francis attended Georgetown College (Georgetown University) and South Carolina College (University of South Carolina).

In 1822, Francis married Mary Cleland Randolph. Thomas Jefferson gave Francis and Mary his plantation, Poplar Forest. In 1828, Francis sold Poplar Forest. He and his family traveled to Florida in a wagon train. Francis became a planter. He served as mayor of Tallahassee, Florida. He died in 1881.