[303]
Jefferson's remains were buried at Monticello, under an epitaph that he wrote:

HERE WAS BURIED THOMAS JEFFERSON, AUTHOR OF THE DECLARATION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE, OF THE STATUTE OF VIRGINIA FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, AND FATHER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA.[304]
In his advanced years, Jefferson became increasingly concerned that people understand the principles in, and the people responsible for writing, the Declaration of Independence, and he continually defended himself as its author. He considered the document one of his greatest life achievements, in addition to authoring the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom and his founding of the University of Virginia. Plainly absent from his epitaph were his political roles, including President of the United States.[305]
Jefferson died deeply in debt, unable to pass on his estate freely to his heirs.[306] He gave instructions in his will for disposal of his assets,[307] including the freeing of Sally Hemings's children;[308] but his estate, possessions, and slaves were sold at public auctions starting in 1827.[309] In 1831, Monticello was sold by Martha Jefferson Randolph and the other heirs.