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1 Majacita  Apr 5, 2014 1:05:38pm

In the article it says the information is fragmented then says that DNA evidence hasn’t been found, but is being asked for. What exactly has been proven?

2 freetoken  Apr 5, 2014 3:59:16pm

re: #1 Majacita

The article is fragmented and doesn’t link to it’s sources. The unidentified “Moore” referenced may be CeCe Moore.

That Thomas Jefferson had at least one child by his slave Sally is inferred from the male child passing on his Y chromosome, which has been matched to the male Jefferson line, though that Y chromosome could have come one of President Jefferson’s male descended cousins. Historians conclude that Thomas was indeed the father, though, because Sally traveled with him, indicating a close relationship.

3 freetoken  Apr 5, 2014 4:00:52pm

The comments at that article sadly demonstrate how unable many are at dealing with these sort of things.

4 calochortus  Apr 6, 2014 7:47:49am

re: #2 freetoken

Historians conclude that Thomas was indeed the father, though, because Sally traveled with him, indicating a close relationship.

Last I heard *some* historians conclude that. Others point to the proximity of other male relatives when the children were conceived.
It’s like saying every married woman’s child is fathered by her husband, because they were around each other a lot, and we know that’s not true.

I have no idea whether Jefferson, his uncle or some other close male relative fathered those children. We care because Founding Father! but a broader look shows a great deal more about life than just prurient details about one man’s life. We can start with the fact she was Jefferson’s wife’s half sister and at least some her children were fathered by a Jefferson and go from there.

I also think it is small-minded of of Jefferson’s descendants to exclude the Hemmings descendants from their midst-regardless of the details, as the relationship was obviously close, but we just don’t know at this point who the father was.
(Full disclosure: I’m not a fan of organizations based on relationships to long, long dead people that the current membership never knew.)


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