NAME:
Sally Hemings
DATE
OF BIRTH: c.1773
PLACE
OF BIRTH: Virginia
DATE
OF DEATH: c. 1835
PLACE
OF DEATH: Virginia
FAMILY
BACKGROUND: Sally Hemings was born to slave master and sea captain,
John Wayles and his slave Elizabeth "Betty" Hemings. John
Wayles died the year Sally was born. Sally's family then became the
property of Thomas Jefferson. Sally's eldest son, Madison Hemmings,
accounts that Thomas Jeffereson is the father of Sally's children.
EDUCATION:
As a maid in France, Sally received domestic servant training. It
is uncertain whether or not she was literate.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Sally Hemings was the personal servant to Thomas Jefferson's daughter,
Mary, later known as Maria. At the age of fourteen, Sally escorted
Mary to France where Sally became very much a part of French society.
Upon returning, she also became the maid to Jefferson's daughter,
Martha.
After the death of Thomas Jefferson, Sally stayed at Monticello, caring for Martha and her family. Financial hardships which fell on the Jefferson family prevented Sally from leaving Monticello.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Bear, James A., Jr.. "The Hemings Family of Monticello," Virginia Cavalcade 29. 1979.
Betts, Edwin Morris, ed. Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book. 1953. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1953.
Brodie, Fawn M. Thomas Jefferson: An Intimate History. New York: Naughton, 1974
Dabney, Virginius. The Jefferson Scandals: A Rebuttle. New York: Dodd, Mead, 1981.
Woodson, Byron W. A President in the Family : Thomas Jefferson, Sally Hemings, and Thomas Woodson. Westport: Praeger, 2001.
WEB
SITES:
Sally Hemings - Monticello page
Sally Hemings - Gale Group Women's History Month
Statement Regarding Sally Hemings from The Jefferson Legacy Foundation
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