Thomas Jefferson, killer

[snopes]

Comment: In the movie _Swordfish_, it is stated that President Thomas
Jefferson shot a traitor on the lawn of the White House. I have seen one
expert claim this is pure fiction, that it never happened. Another person
claimed it was true, that the person shot was a Rodney Cox from North
Carolina, allegedly convicted of giving naval secrets to the British. Did
Jefferson really shoot a man?

[Tantei Kid]

Drat. I saw that as "South California" at first and had a pretty definate answer ready. Of course if it were that easy no one would need to ask.

From what I can see online, there doesn't seem to be a "Rodney Cox" in the 1790 SC census. Is there proof that the man existed and the contention is just on whether he was shot by Jefferson?

ETA: No, wait it's north. shoot. looking again... (Nope, still no Rodney)

[E. Q. Taft]

I'd certainly never heard this (though I am strictly an amateur at American history). Googling, the only definite reference I could find was this post on an obsolete Jefferson web forum, allegedly by a history professor at the University of Wisconsin, saying that it is in fact true, and adding a few details.. Further research seems warranted...

Well, even professional historians agree to disagree on these kinds of things, though. I'd get in touch with Monticello if you want to know for sure. They'd provide sources/citations if they're available.

The census records from the 1790s, by the way, aren't particularly accurate (or always easily searchable). They list male heads of households and overlook dependents. I've not been able to find people who I knew were alive at the time.