Sally Hemings | Biography

• By Stone Palmer
• Original : March 19, 2025

Who is Sally Hemings?

Sally Hemings was born in 1773 in Virginia and is best known for her relationship with Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States. As a member of the Hemings family, she was born into slavery and became a household servant at Jefferson's Monticello plantation. Hemings was the youngest of Elizabeth Hemings's six children and is believed to have been the half-sister of Martha Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson's deceased wife. After the death of Martha in 1782, Hemings became a companion to Jefferson's daughter Mary and later traveled to Paris with the family, where her relationship with Jefferson is believed to have blossomed.

The nature of Jefferson and Hemings' relationship has been the subject of much speculation and controversy. During Jefferson's time in France from 1784 to 1789, there is compelling evidence that they had a sexual relationship, which resulted in several children. Although their union was shrouded in secrecy and scandal, historians have increasingly accepted that Jefferson fathered Hemings' six children. Recent DNA evidence confirms that Hemings' descendants are indeed linked to the Jefferson bloodline, providing a clearer understanding of Hemings' legacy as a significant figure in American history, intertwined with the founding principles and contradictions of the United States.

Early Life and Education

Sally Hemings was born around 1773 in Virginia, the youngest of six children in the Hemings family, who were enslaved individuals of mixed African and European ancestry. Her mother, Elizabeth Hemings, was owned by John Wayles, a white lawyer and enslaved person trader of English descent. Wayles was also the father of Martha Wayles Jefferson, thus making Sally and Martha half-sisters. Following Wayles’ death, Sally and her family moved to the Monticello plantation as part of Martha's inheritance, where Sally would spend much of her early life working as a household servant.

As a child, Sally Hemings developed skills as a seamstress and took on various household duties. Following the death of Martha Jefferson in 1782, Hemings became a companion to her daughter, Mary Jefferson. In 1784, Sally's life took a significant turn when she traveled to Paris with the Jefferson family, joining them after Jefferson was appointed as the American minister to France. This period overseas would be pivotal, as it was during her time in Paris that rumors of a romantic relationship between Hemings and Thomas Jefferson began to emerge. Despite her education as an enslaved person, Hemings' experiences during these formative years influenced her life and legacy profoundly.

Relationship with Thomas Jefferson

Sally Hemings had a complex and contentious relationship with Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States and author of the Declaration of Independence. Hemings, born into slavery in Virginia, became part of Jefferson’s household after the death of his wife, Martha Wayles, who was also likely her half-sister. Their relationship reportedly began while they were in Paris, where Hemings was brought as a companion and nursemaid to Jefferson's daughters. The two developed an intimate bond that led to accusations and speculations about their sexual relationship, intensifying particularly in the early 1800s when journalist James Callender publicly named her as Jefferson's mistress.

The nature of their relationship, which lasted for years, became a subject of intense debate and scrutiny over the centuries. While Hemings had the legal right to freedom under French law, she returned to Virginia, likely influenced by Jefferson's promises regarding the future of her children. Historical accounts suggest that she bore several children who closely resembled Jefferson, further fueling rumors about their liaison. Despite the speculations, Jefferson never formally acknowledged Hemings or their children during his lifetime, and the complexity of their relationship reflects the intertwining of personal lives and the harsh realities of slavery in early American history.

Rumors and Scandal

Sally Hemings, an enslaved woman on Thomas Jefferson's Monticello plantation, became the subject of significant speculation and scandal during her lifetime and beyond. The rumors of her relationship with Jefferson began to circulate in the 1790s, gaining momentum particularly in 1802 when journalist James Callender publicly accused Jefferson of having an affair with Hemings. Callender not only named Hemings but also claimed that she had borne several children fathered by Jefferson. This suggestion of their intimacy, particularly given the strong resemblance of Hemings' light-skinned children to Jefferson, fueled gossip in both Virginia and the nation’s capital.

The controversy surrounding the alleged relationship persisted in the decades following Hemings' and Jefferson's deaths. In the late 19th century, various memoirs and accounts surfaced, adding complexity to the narrative. Madison Hemings, Sally's son, claimed in 1873 that Jefferson was his father. Yet, other narratives emerged, suggesting that Jefferson’s nephew, Peter Carr, might have been the true father of Hemings’ children. This conflicting information only intensified the debate, leading to an ongoing discussion about the veracity of the relationship and the authenticity of Hemings' legacy as a significant figure in American history.

Children

Sally Hemings was the mother of at least six children, of whom four are confirmed to have survived into adulthood. Her first child, whose name remains uncertain, reportedly lived only a short time after birth. The second child, a daughter named Harriet, tragically passed away at just two years old. The birth of her son, Beverly in 1798, marked the beginning of a family lineage, as Beverly left Monticello in 1822 and chose to live as a white man in Washington, D.C., essentially distancing himself from his ancestral ties.

In 1801, Sally Hemings welcomed another daughter, also named Harriet, in memory of her first lost child. This daughter similarly transitioned to white society alongside her brother Beverly. The youngest of Hemings’ children, Madison and Eston, were born in 1805 and 1808, and both were granted their freedom through Jefferson's will upon his death in 1826. Madison Hemings lived his life openly as a Black man, while Eston, under the name Jefferson, adopted a new identity and began living as a white man in Wisconsin, showcasing the complex intersections of race and identity during that era.

Personal Life: Married Life | Children

Sally Hemings lived a life marked by complexity and controversy, particularly in her relationship with Thomas Jefferson. Despite the deeply entrenched systems of slavery and societal norms of her time, Hemings's bond with Jefferson transcended that of a typical master-servant relationship. Their connection began during her time in Paris, where they allegedly engaged in a sexual relationship. While Hemings was never legally married, her role as the mother of Jefferson's children gave her a unique status in his life, leading to considerable speculation regarding their partnership.

Sally Hemings bore at least six children, four of whom survived to adulthood. The children were named Beverly, Harriet, Madison, and Eston. Each child faced their own struggles and decisions about their identities, particularly concerning race. Beverly and Harriet, who were both light-skinned, were able to escape the confines of slavery by assimilating into white society. Madison and Eston, born later, were freed through Jefferson's will but ultimately chose different paths regarding their racial identities. This legacy of their lives continues to spark important discussions about race, family, and history in America.

Net Worth and Earning: Not Publicly Disclosed

Sally Hemings lived a life marked by enslavement and service rather than wealth accumulation. As an enslaved woman on Thomas Jefferson's Monticello plantation, her economic status was defined by her servitude, and thus, personal financial gain was not a consideration. While the exact earnings or financial benefits for Hemings are unavailable, she did receive some indirect advantages related to her connection with Jefferson. For instance, he promised her a better status in his household and the eventual freedom of her children, which could be viewed as a form of economic security, albeit indirectly and under the constraints of enslavement.

Considering her circumstances, it is important to note that the notion of net worth for women like Sally Hemings, particularly those who were enslaved, was fundamentally different from that of free individuals. Hemings's role on the plantation included various responsibilities, such as acting as a seamstress, nursemaid, and companion, which provided her with limited agency and opportunities. Although the relationship she had with Jefferson has drawn considerable public scrutiny, it is essential to remember that the dynamics of slavery significantly impacted any financial matters related to her life and that of her children.