Sally Hemings Research Paper

More than two decades ago, a scandal took the newly founded country of America by storm. Thomas Jefferson, the author of The Declaration of Independence, Ambassador of France, and Vice President, came back home from France with a very pregnant Sally Hemings. Under normal circumstances, this would not be a problem. But one thing was out of place; Sally was Jefferson’s slave. This leaves much to the imagination, and even caused some to believe that our 3rd president of the United States of America would actually impregnate a slave under his ownership. These people had even the audacity to claim that they were descendants of Eston Hemings (Sally’s last child “with Jefferson”) Furthermore, continuing to have 6 more children 4 of which lived, Beverly, …show more content…
Other than the account of Madison, Jefferson’s “son” who may very well be lied too, there was not much evidence of either options. People had to rely on personal opinion which is not very reliable. That was until, DNA evidence was available. In 1998, a retired pathologist by the name of Eugene A. Foster along with a few of his colleagues tried to prove/disprove the 200 year debate about the origin of Sally’s children. The study concluded that Eston Hemings descendants did have a halotype not seen outside the Jefferson family but it still does not mean that he was fathered by Jefferson. It is possible that a descendent of Eston and a Jefferson did have children but that they considered that “unlikely because of the lack of historical evidence” according to the study. (SOURCE) The only concrete fact they discovered was that neither of the Carr brothers (Peter and Samuel) have fathered Eston. The Carr brothers were the first suspects when it was discovered that Jefferson may have had false children. For years the alternate idea on who fathered who always landed on the Carr brothers. Now that they are removed from the list of suspects who does the blame fall