For centuries, there has been debate about whether Thomas Jefferson was the father of Sally Hemming's six children. Throughout our reading of Wolf by the Ears, we will be posting information about this debate on the blog for you to read and consider. Here are a few facts for you to start with:
- The debate began all the way back in 1802, when a journalist "accused" Jefferson of having children with Hemmings. Neither Jefferson nor Hemmings ever commented on this story.
- There are no known pictures of or writings by Sally Hemmings. It is possible that she was illiterate.
- In 1998, a DNA test on members of the Jefferson and Hemmings family found it "highly probable" -- but not definite -- that a member of the Jefferson Family was the father of Eston Hemmings, the last child born to Sally.
For more information, visit the information page at the Monticello website:
http://www.monticello.org/plantation/hemingscontro/hemings-jefferson_contro.html
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I think that it is true that Thomas Jefferson did father Sally Hemings children. One reason i believe this is because if Thomas Jefferson was accused of fathering Sally's children and accusation was false, he would be bold enough to fight and state that he was not the father. Also, since there is a possibility that one member of the Jefferson family fathered Eston Hemmings, heres a high probability that Thomas Jefferson was the father.
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