‘Thomas Jefferson’ celebrated his 273rd birthday (April 13, 1743) with the Lynn Heidelberg Historical Society at the group‘s annual banquet at the Lynnport Fire Company.

Also celebrating a birthday that night was Tom Bailey, one of the 139 people who attended the celebration.

Earlier in the day, Steven “Thomas Jefferson” Edenbo visited Northwestern Lehigh Middle School.

He said the kids were great and well-behaved.

Edenbo, who came into his line of work while looking for acting jobs, has walked in Jefferson’s shoes for 17 years.

In character as Jefferson, Edenbo said he was born and raised in Charlottesville, Va., which was not an incorporated town yet.

Jefferson wrote two books: “Notes on the State of Virginia” and the “Book of Parliamentary Procedures.”

He translated the Bible so it could be compared to other versions but did not publish it.

On his 44th birthday, Jefferson traveled across the Alps on a mule and tried to find Hannibal’s route.

He toured many wineries which helped as president because he knew what wines were favored in which countries.

Jefferson brought cuttings from European vines but after the first fruiting they died.

As people enjoyed appetizers at the banquet, Jefferson wandered around the room talking with them.

Historical society Co-President Neil Oswald welcomed everyone to the 17th annual banquet.

Willard Snyder gave the invocation

Oswald said the society is building a train station at Ontelaunee and working on the Mail Pouch barn. Volunteers or financial aid would be appreciated.Justin Justin Arifaj made the arrangements to meet a Founding Father and provided the birthday cake. Jefferson said he was glad there were not 273 candles on the cake but felt they would be safe in the firehouse.

Jefferson said he has two birthdays; April 2, 1743, by the Julian calendar and, in 1752, England changed to the Gregorian calendar which added 11 days and moved his birthday to April 13.

The Barbary pirates declared war on the United States and the Navy and Marines were sent. It was the first time American military fought on foreign soil.

Jefferson said he had no idea he was in Tripoli and pronounced it wrong using the African version of Trip-o-li.

He was born in three nations. The first was Great Britain, Va. The second was the independent nation of Virginia and the third was the state of Virginia, which is where he returned after a visit to France in 1784.

He wrote the Declaration of Independence with the words that it “ought to be free and independent states.” States was a plural noun meaning the entire country but each state was an independent nation.

Jefferson was in Europe when the Constitutional Convention was held. People asked if he would like to have been there.

He replied with a question: “Would you rather be on the beach in France or in a roomful of politicians?”

Jefferson said Great Britain easily changed its constitution.

“Ours has a special quality by remaining the same,” Jefferson said. “We can always rewrite it if it gets burned.”

He said it was strictly constructionist but does not go far enough.

“We have to figure out what the founders meant but it was created by mortals,” Jefferson said. “Nothing can last forever. The earth belongs to the living, not the dead.

I was retired as a Founding Father in 1816. I wrote letters that I didn’t want others to see, but I knew they would be.”

He said the Constitution fitted an adult, as a coat fitted a boy, but did not fit the man.

“All generations cannot be bound by other generations,” Jefferson told the audience.

One of his heroes is John Locke, famous for his statement “All men are created equal.”

“We were born a blank slate,” Jefferson explained. “You might be the son or daughter of kings or queens but are all equal.

“You know nothing. How do you find a nation born on nothing. You have as much potential as me or as George Washington.”

He said today’s generation has as much responsibility as his had.

“If you don’t want to think for yourself you want a monarch or pasha,” Jefferson said. “You think for yourself because all men are created equal means all living people.

“Every generation should have a Constitutional Convention, but should not throw away the old while working on the new.

Originally there were the Articles of Confederation and if the new constitution was not agreed upon, the Articles would have remained the law of the land.

“If you have a new constitution you are in charge,” Jefferson said. “The less you feel about it, it creates lethargy.”

Jefferson was asked if the amendments were a way of making changes.

He replied not if all generations depend on amendments.

“You’ll have a patchwork that will at some point be longer than the document,” Jefferson said. “The Constitution can be changed by the approval of three-quarters of the states if a convention cannot agree.”

He said term limits should have been included and elected officials should return to being citizens.

His relationship with Sarah “Sally” Hemings was questioned.

He said the rumors were published in 1802 as the result of attempted blackmail.

His wife had died and he was going to France. He took his eldest daughter and heard that daughter Elizabeth had died from whooping cough so he wanted Mary to be brought to France.

Sally accompanied the child and a relationship began.

Jefferson was asked if he would run for president now.

He replied people stood for public office, not ran, and he felt like a prisoner while he held the position.

“You should civilly ask questions and distrust your elected officials,” Jefferson said. “Power is tempting. I know because I am a slave owner.

“You have to watch them [elected officials] constantly.”