Jefferson’s Sons is a historical fiction novel based on the true events of Thomas Jefferson’s life. Jefferson’s Sons describes the lives of Beverly, Harriet, Maddy, and Eston. These are the illegitimate children of Thomas Jefferson, or as he is called in the book: Master Jefferson. These four children were the sons and daughter of Sally Hemings, a slave on the plantation of Monticello. Sally Hemings is the sister of Martha Wayles, which makes Sally Thomas Jefferson’s sister-in-law. Sally and Jefferson had an unmarried union that lasted almost 40 years after Martha Died. Thomas Jefferson had promised to Sally that all of their children were to be freed when they turned twenty-one. Jefferson’s Sons describes the stories and emotions of these
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The book starts out with Beverly Hemings, Jefferson’s oldest son, telling his story. Beverly explains how it feels to be Master Jefferson’s son and even though he cannot tell anyone, he still calls him papa to his brother and sister. It shows how hard it truly is to be a slave, especially one who is technically white by the one-drop rule, which states that all of Sally Hemings children were counted white because seven-eighths of their ancestors were white. Beverly tells his story for about seven years, until Maddy turns seven. The focus then shifts to James Madison, or Maddy, as he is called in the book. Maddy tells his story, which is a particularly harsh one. Maddy is the darkest of all his siblings. Eston, his little brother, is the spitting image of Thomas Jefferson, and Harriet and Beverly pass for white easily. Maddy, however, is dark and knows that when he becomes free he will not be able to pass as white. It was a hard fate for Maddy to grasp, because his siblings were going to leave, and he would never see them again. After Maddy turns 17, the perspective yet again shifts to Peter Fossett. Peter Fossett was the son of Joseph Fossett, a slave and head blacksmith at Monticello. Joe Fossett was given his freedom by Thomas Jefferson in his will but his family was not. Peter was bought by a landowner and never saw his family …show more content…
She is a brilliant author who can turn history into a novel. She brought the facts of history to life and did it perfectly. The way she brought these children’s feelings to life and made the readers feel the way the slaves felt is not something that is easily done. Although this book is fiction, she proved that the story told in the book is not far off from what we already know. I would also like to read more on the subject of Jefferson and his slave children. The topic is not taught in schools and I feel as though many people do not know about his secret children. It was very interesting to learn about and I would love to find out more information about the secret relationship of Thomas Jefferson and Sally
The book starts out with Beverly Hemings, Jefferson’s oldest son, telling his story. Beverly explains how it feels to be Master Jefferson’s son and even though he cannot tell anyone, he still calls him papa to his brother and sister. It shows how hard it truly is to be a slave, especially one who is technically white by the one-drop rule, which states that all of Sally Hemings children were counted white because seven-eighths of their ancestors were white. Beverly tells his story for about seven years, until Maddy turns seven. The focus then shifts to James Madison, or Maddy, as he is called in the book. Maddy tells his story, which is a particularly harsh one. Maddy is the darkest of all his siblings. Eston, his little brother, is the spitting image of Thomas Jefferson, and Harriet and Beverly pass for white easily. Maddy, however, is dark and knows that when he becomes free he will not be able to pass as white. It was a hard fate for Maddy to grasp, because his siblings were going to leave, and he would never see them again. After Maddy turns 17, the perspective yet again shifts to Peter Fossett. Peter Fossett was the son of Joseph Fossett, a slave and head blacksmith at Monticello. Joe Fossett was given his freedom by Thomas Jefferson in his will but his family was not. Peter was bought by a landowner and never saw his family …show more content…
She is a brilliant author who can turn history into a novel. She brought the facts of history to life and did it perfectly. The way she brought these children’s feelings to life and made the readers feel the way the slaves felt is not something that is easily done. Although this book is fiction, she proved that the story told in the book is not far off from what we already know. I would also like to read more on the subject of Jefferson and his slave children. The topic is not taught in schools and I feel as though many people do not know about his secret children. It was very interesting to learn about and I would love to find out more information about the secret relationship of Thomas Jefferson and Sally