Attributed to James Akin – James C. Kelly and B. S. Lovell. Thomas Jefferson: His Friends and Foes. Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 101, No. 1, “In the Modest Garb of Pure Republicanism”: Thomas Jefferson as Reformer and Architect (Jan., 1993), pp. 133- 157 / American Antiquarian Society, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19201570
I read an article recently that every genealogist should read. It is in a special issue of the National Genealogical Society Quarterly from September 2001 (Volume 89, No.3).
This issue was completely devoted to discussion of the Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings relationship. If you are a member of NGS you can download this article from the NGS Quarterly Archives.
Sally Hemings: The Evidence
The esteemed Helen Leary tackles the subject in “Sally Heming’s Children: A Genealogical Analysis of the Evidence.”
It is a 40+ page article, but well-worth taking the time to read. Helen illustrates use of the Genealogical Proof Standard to assess one of this country’s most enduring mysteries: Was Thomas Jefferson the father of Sally Heming’s children?
In Helen’s gifted hands, the evidence is laid out. Truly massive amounts of evidence. Every hypothesis is tested, each conflict is addressed and a clearer conclusion you won’t find anywhere.
Virginia Luxuries
Helen is a masterful teacher and a thorough researcher. I grew as a researcher as I read through her analysis. This is a great way to learn how to apply these methods to your own research.
DNA testing in 1998 matched Sally Hemings’ youngest son Eston’s DNA to a Jefferson male. I particularly enjoyed how Helen handled bias on the part of researchers.
An Amazing Census
I’ll leave you with a clip from the 1870 census that blew my mind.
In 1870, a census taker in Ross County, Ohio, enumerated Sally’s son Madison. He wrote the following notation into the census next to Madison’s name:
“This man is the son of Thomas Jefferson!”
1870 census
That has got to make you say Wow. I’ve never seen anything like that before.
I hope you’ll go read this article, come back here and let me know what you thought.
I encourage you to read the entire issue: an article by Thomas Jones dissects the “official” report done by the Thomas Jefferson Scholars Commission (who continue to deny the pairing).
There is also an excellent article by Gary B. Mills about proving children of master-slave relationships.
I am an engineer by day, but my true passion lies in genealogy. I have been a researcher, writer, lecturer and teacher for over twenty years. This blog is where I share family history methods, resources, tips and advice, with an emphasis on slave research, slavery and its aftermath. This lifelong quest has helped me to better know my family’s past. I’ve taken back– reclaimed– some of that lost memory, especially that of my enslaved ancestors. I hope you’ll sign up to receive my posts—if you do, you’ll get a free PDF with some of my favorite tips! And please do share posts that interest you.
that is awesome!I am trying to help trace the lineage of some of my cousins& keep hitting roadblocks on the master/slave connection.wish I could come across something like what was in the 1870 census in this article.your information has reinspired me to continue searching for that “miracle”link that has to be out there!
THanks, Angelina–just keep on searching and improving your skills–you will get past some of your roadblocks in time;)
Robyn
Love the annotation on the 1870 census. Wow, indeed!
Love the info listed on the 1870. Wow indeed!!
Helen F. M. Leary is, without a doubt, a master genealogist. What blows *my* mind is that after reading her dissection of the problem, people still believe that Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings were not in a relationship; which just proves the old saying about horses and water.