Historians In Awe Over Discovery At Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello Property

Jefferson Frees All Of Sally’s Children

Even though he still firmly denied being in a romantic relationship with Hemings, it has been established that Thomas Jefferson eventually freed all of her children. The girls, Beverly and Harriet, were allowed to leave Monticello in 1822; Madison and Eston were released at Jefferson’s word in 1826. However, Jefferson did not grant freedom to any other nuclear slave family.

This information further promotes the belief that Jefferson was indeed the father of Hemings’ children. Her children were also known to have light skin, and three of them lived in white society as adults. Sally was permitted to leave after Jefferson’s death and was released by his daughter Martha.