Read that in a book by Dr. James Kennedy, but can't remember which one....perhaps, "What if America Was a Christian Nation Again?" A fairly recent release. Also watched a documentary on Jefferson some months ago (History Channel or PBS) that generally debunked the notion that he was the Athiest that so many claim he was. Might make a case for agnosticism, but even that argument is not terribly convincing. I'll see if I can source that, but I really have no reason to believe that Dr. Kennedy would publish a complete fabrication like that.
Here's another reference to it...I had it slightly wrong, however, it was the D.C. Schools (not national).....
"SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE", THOMAS JEFFERSON AS THE AUTHOR?:
Thomas Jefferson was in France as an ambassador during the Constitutional Convention that ratified the First Amendment. However, some of Thomas Jefferson's words in a private letter eleven years after the ratification of the First Amendment were used to form the modern concept of "separation of church and state". Thomas Jefferson's words, "thus building a wall of separation between church and state", appeared in a private letter to the Danbury Baptist Association in 1802, trying to assure them that the federal government would not and could not try to establish a national denomination. His words were taken out of context, and the intent of his words did not resemble the modern concept of "separation of church and state". Thomas Jefferson's words were clear when viewed in context with the rest of his letter. Further, Thomas Jefferson's deeds and other words make it clear that he would not tolerate the current concept of "separation of church and state". Let's examine some of Thomas Jefferson's words and deeds to see if he would tolerate the REMOVAL OF GOD FROM PUBLIC VIEW:
"In matters of religion, I have considered that its free exercise is placed by the Constitution independent of the powers of the General Government." (1805, second Inaugural Address by President Thomas Jefferson).
Thomas Jefferson also served as president of the Washington, DC public school system while serving as the President of the United States. Thomas Jefferson placed the Holy Bible and Isaac Watt's hymnal as the two primary reading texts for school children during his tenure.
this is at: www.sirinet.net
Nor do I, he's a good man. But a lot of fuzzy stuff gets contributed by staff researchers who don't check their sources. I'm pretty sure there were no public schools back then. Well, maybe here and there a city might have funded one, but the feds wouldn't have interfered.