An Enigmatic Figure
Among the 600 slaves is a key figure in the Jefferson mystery. Enter Sally Hemings. For the most part, she remains a puzzling figure, however historians cannot discount her involvement in Jefferson’s life.
Naturally, her story piqued the interest of historians, and has continued to do so for over a century. Almost 200 years after her death, the discovery made brought some new insights into who she was and the events which took place during her time at Monticello estate.
The Controversy Surrounding Monticello
Born in 1743, Jefferson began building Monticello at 26-years old. Having inherited the land from his father the initial purpose for the land was to cultivate wheat and tobacco. Charlottesville, named after British Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, is an area which is characterised by hot, humid summers and mild winters, which made it suitable for growing these crops. Such as is the case with many family-held plantations in America, Monticello is not alone in having its own dark past.
Jefferson used free workers along with servants and enslaved labourers to construct the plantation house, however he also had hundreds of slaves working and living at Monticello. Whilst he consistently spoke out against the chains of slavery, and worked to end the practice, he had a secret of his own. Many individuals to this day find his dark secret a difficult pill to swallow, however the discovery made in 2017 by a group of archaeologists creates a case for Jefferson, shedding light on a matter which was previously unresolved.
A Complicated Legacy
The principal author of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson is regarded as one of the most prominent figures in American history. One of the U.S’ visionary Founding Fathers, he, somewhat ironically penned the famous line “All men are created equal.
Ironic why you ask? Jefferson, despite the airs and graces he upheld, simultaneously kept 600 African-American slaves for the duration of his adult life. As such he left a legacy which reflected his duality; his political life and his personal life. The discovery in 2017 during an excavation on the estate contributes to history’s understanding and opinion of Jefferson, causing many to re-evaluate his contribution.
Who Was Sally Hemings?
Born in 1773 to a planter and slave trader named John Wayles, who was also the father of Martha Jefferson, Sally was the half-sister of Thomas Jefferson’s wife. As a child, Sally, her siblings and mother came into Martha’s possession as part of her inheritance from her father. An enslaved woman of mixed race, she held an important place in Jefferson’s life. Owned by Jefferson, the historical consensus is that Hemings was the mother of his children. Due to legalities, the children she bore were considered slaves.
The historical question of whether Jefferson did father Hemings’ children is the subject of what is known as the Jefferson-Hemings controversy. Much investigation, and historic analysis of DNA found a match between the Jefferson men and a descendant of Hemings’ youngest son, Eston. It has since been alleged that Jefferson was the father of all five of her children. We’re scratching our heads; which version of events is true?
Before She Was a Subject of National Intrigue
The youngest of 6 siblings, and 25 years younger than her half-sister Martha, Hemings and her siblings grew up at Monticello. Trained and put to work as servants, the children were “spared” as they held positions which were considered better than the conditions of others, such as the labourers in the fields.
During her youth she was quite the plain Jane, but years later, it was her destiny to become a figure who was scrutinised, eventually becoming a household name. She would be described as the former President’s “mistress” however she was not even that; she was his property. Her story is not one of glamour and pomp; rather it is the life of a slave whose wellbeing was betwixt with that of her owner.