Monticello is one of the most important and recognizable national landmark’s in the history of the USA. It was designed and built by the very famous third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson. He started designing it when he was only 26 years old. It is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Recently, archaeologists launched a new initiative to try to uncover more facts about activities on the grounds of Monticello. A discovery was made that completely shocked historians. Keep reading to find out more about the new groundbreaking historical find and its significance!
A President’s Plantation
Thomas Jefferson became President after the election called “The Revolution of 1800.” Jefferson defeated incumbent John Adams and became the first Anti-Federalist President in US history. Despite Adams being of the Federalist party, there was a peaceful transition of power to Jefferson. Jefferson primarily resided on his Monticello plantation which is located in Charlottesville, Virginia before he moved into the White House in 1801. While construction began in 1768, and there has been much historical research into the building and its grounds, a recent discovery revealed new details that were previously unknown by historians.
New Discovery At Monticello
The Controversy Surrounding Monticello
Thomas Jefferson was 26-years-old when he started building Monticello on land that he inherited from his father. The massive 5,000-acre plantation was used to cultivate crops including tobacco and wheat. Because it was a plantation, it is controversial. It is linked to the dark history of labor in the United States. Jefferson used free workers, indentured servants, and slaves for construction of Monticello, and had hundreds of slaves working and living there. While these facts have been known for awhile, a new discovery in 2017 reveals new information.
5000 Acre Plantation
A Complicated Legacy
Thomas Jefferson was a very influential Founding Father. He was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence which is very important foundational document for U.S. government. Its ideas were used to inspire the French Revolution, and later on women in America used it as a template to fight for equal rights. The document as well as most of U.S. government were inspired by the Enlightenment movement which established the equality principal. In Jefferson’s own words, he wrote that “All men are created equal.” While this phrase is imperfect as it clearly excludes women, it also seemed to imply that only all white men are created equal as Jefferson owned 607 slaves.
Thomas Jefferson
An Enigmatic Figure
While Jefferson owned many slaves during the course of his lifetime, one is particular has raised the curiosity of historians. Her name was Sally Hemings. There was little known about her until a discovery was made about 200 years ago.
Sally Hemmings
Who Was Sally Hemings?
According to Sally Hemings’ son, Madison, she was the half-sister of Jefferson’s wife, Martha. Sally was born in 1773 to a man named John Wayles and a woman named Betty Hemings. Betty was biracial and thus born into slavery. Due to the Slave Codes at the time, the law stated children born to enslaved mothers would also be slaves. So, Sally and her siblings came to Monticello as slaves who belonged to Martha. They were given to her by her father.
Martha
Before She Was a Subject of National Intrigue
Sally Hemings was the youngest of her six siblings who worked as slaves at Monticello. All the siblings grew up together on the plantation and were trained as artisans and domestic servants. They did not do harsh work such as working in the field because they were considered to be at the top of the slave hierarchy.
Before She Was A Subject Of National Intrigue
A Trail of Clues
Sally Hemings worked as a slave until Jefferson died in 1826. After that she lived life as a free woman for nearly nine years. Most of the details of her life besides that have been a mystery for most of history. There are few accounts of her appearance. One was written by a fellow slave named Isaac Granger Jefferson. He stated, she was, “mighty near white… very handsome, long straight hair down her back.”
A Trail Of Clues
Painting a Picture
There were no portraits drawn or painting of Sally Hemings. Based on the account of her description from Isaac Granger and another from Jefferson’s grandson Thomas Jefferson Randolph, it is believed she was “light colored and decidedly good looking.” It is believed she worked as a seamstress and chambermaid. While Jefferson kept a diary, he rarely wrote of her. He kept track of finances and children born at Monticello, but Sally is barely mentioned.
Painting A Picture
The French Connection
One fact that is known is when Sally was 14 she went with Jefferson’s youngest daughter, Mary, to London and Paris. Jefferson later served as the U.S. envoy to France and is well known for having a good relationship with many French diplomats. When Sally was in France, her life changed forever. Something happened that motivated her return to the USA where she would again be a slave.
The French Connection
What Happens in Paris, Doesn’t Stay in Paris
Martha Jefferson, Thomas’s third cousin and beloved wife, suffered from many health problems. She had diabetes and other health issues from frequent childbirth. She died in 1782 at the age of 33 with Jefferson at her side. She made Jefferson promise to never marry again, and Jefferson was very depressed and impacted by her death. It is believed by most historians that after her death, Jefferson began an intimate relationship with Sally Hemings. She became pregnant when she was 16 and returned to the USA in 1789. She had six more children after she returned from Europe, and many speculated they were Jefferson’s due to their appearance.
What Happens In Paris Doesn’t Stay In Paris
Unproven Allegations
The first time the relationship was written about was 20 years later, in 1802. One of Jefferson’s political opponents published the report which was later called the “Jefferson- Hemings controversy.” Jefferson didn’t list the father of Hemings’ children in his written accounts, and his family publicly denied that he was the father. When Hemings’ children became adults, Jefferson freed most of them, continuing to fuel rumors he was the father.
Unproven Allegations
After 150 Years of Uncertainty…
Jefferson’s family denied he was the father for about 150 years. There was a DNA test conducted in 1998 that finally shed more light on the situation. The test revealed there was indeed a link between Jefferson and Hemings. The test proved Jefferson fathered at least one, and potentially all of Hemings’ kids. The DNA test showed a match between Jefferson and Eston Hemings, who was Sally’s youngest son.
After 150 Years Of Uncertainty…
A Monumental Discovery
Archaeologists began studying Monticello again after there were some restoration efforts in 2017. They discovered another piece of evidence, the long- concealed living quarters of Sally! For several decades this was a mystery.
A Monumental Discovery
Hidden in Time
Sally’s room was completely hidden from plain sight and it was located in the South Pavilion of Monticello. A modern bathroom was actually installed over it in 1941 because no one knew it was there. Despite another renovation of the bathroom in 1960, the room still wasn’t revealed. There was new evidence that lead archaeologists to this new 2017 discovery.
Hidden In Time
A Historic Hint
Historians found a document written by one of Thomas Jefferson’s grandsons. According to the writing, Sally Hemings’ room was located in the South Wing of Monticello. While the validity of the details were questioned, archaeologists went over the history of restorations on the plantation and began to search.
A Historic Hint
Sally’s Room
Archaeologists decided to knock down the men’s bathroom and guess what they found! They found Sally’s 14-foot living quarters with the original bricks from the early 1800s. They also found a fireplace. The location of the room is something that interests historians. Sally’s newly found living quarters were actually adjacent to Jefferson’s own bedroom. Interesting, don’t you think?
Sally’s Room
What It Means
Historians believe the location of Sally Hemings’ room in relation to Jefferson’s serves as further evidence of their relationship. The director of archaeology at Monticello, Fraser Neiman sated, “This room is a real connection to the past. We are uncovering and discovering and we’re finding many, many artifacts.”
What It Means
How Enslaved People Were Living
The director of restoration of Monticello, Gardiner Hallock, stated the discovery is important because it reveals how some enslaved people lived. It is likely some of Sally’s children were born in that very room. It is believed Sally returned from Paris because Jefferson promised her that her children would be free once they became adults. The Hemings were the only family of slaves that Jefferson freed.
How Enslaved People Were Living
A Window into the Past?
Physical evidence indicates Sally Hemings lived a more comfortable life than other enslaved people at Monticello. Some believe having the bathroom built over her room was an attempt to hide her legacy and any additional discoveries that might connect her with Jefferson.
A Window Into The Past?
Revealing the Truth
Since the discovery, historians are restoring the room and hope to have it ready for public display this year. The plan is to show the space in an exhibit with furniture and other artifacts such as ceramics. This is being done as part of Mountaintop Project which is a new restoration project to create more transparency about Monticello and the people who worked and lived there.
Revealing The Truth
A First
The official spokeswoman for Monticello stated, “For the first time at Monticello we have a physical space dedicated to Sally Hemings and her life. It’s significant because it connects the entire African American arch at Monticello.” There will be some new tours in 2018 that will just be designed to educate about the Hemings family.
A First
Outside of the Mystery
The tours and new exhibit are meant to give an honest depiction of her life and end the mystery. The content of the tours have certainly changed since the new discoveries have been made.
Outside Of The Mystery
Remembering Sally’s Name
In previous tours, there was no mention of Sally. Now, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of Jefferson’s birthday, the tours started to include stories of slaves.
Remembering Sallys Name
Remembering Mulberry Row
In 2015, Mulberry Row was reconstructed. This included reconstruction of two places in the central plantation street where slaves resided. There were more than 20 structures originally. The reconstruction and restoration of Mulberry Row drew hundreds of descendants of enslaved families who came to the location to plant trees in honor of their relatives.
Remembering Mulberry Row
A More Comprehensive Account
From now on, it seems Sally Hemings’ room and life will be included with the history of Jefferson and the USA. While this is positive, this controversial issue has led to many questioning Jefferson’s legacy.
A More Comprehensive Account
A Descendant’s View
Sally Hemings’ great-great-great-great niece, Gayle Jessup White stated, ““As an African American descendant, I have mixed feelings – Thomas Jefferson was a slaveholder.” Nonetheless, she stated she is appreciative the history of her family is no longer being ignored and the history of slavery should be more honest.
A Descendant’s View
Mixed Feelings
The history of Montiello hasn’t always been revealed due to Jefferson’s ownership and relations with slaves. Progress has certainly been made, but more work needs to be done.
Mixed Feelings
Remaining Questions
While there have been great advances in facts previously unknown about Monticello, there are still questions left to be answered. Jefferson did keep a log of all his slaves, but there are only a few photo portraits of what they looked like and little details about most of their lives.
Remaining Questions
The Hemings’ Family Tree
Sally Hemings’ family history has helped reveal some information about many people. In 2008, historian Annette Gordon-Reed published the book The Hemingses of Monticello: An American family. The book uses primary and secondary evidence including legal records, diaries, newspapers, and oral history to tell a biographical tale of the past and generations of history of the Hemings family.
The Hemings’ Family Tree
Life After Monticello
There were four Hemings children that lived long enough to become adults: Madison, Eston, Beverly, and Harriet. Three of them chose to move to the North and live in white communities. Madison was the exception. Beverly and Harriet married affluent white men in Washington D.C., while the brothers married free women of color in Charlottesville. Eston changed his last name to Jefferson to acknowledge who his father was and his true family heritage.
Life After Monticello
An Influential Lineage
Sally Hemings’ sons fought on behalf of the Union Army in the Civil War. Sally also had several grandchildren and great-grandchildren who carried on the family legacy. One of Sally’s great-grandson’s, Fredrick Madison Roberts, became the first elected person of color to take public office in California. He served in the California State Assembly for 20 years.
An Influential Lineage
Giving Voice
In 1993, historians conducted interviews with over 200 people to try to uncover more information and facts about Monticello. It was part of an oral history project to especially focus on the American American families that worked there. In 2016, Monticello held a summit through the National Endowment for the Humanities and the University of Virginia. The event was attended by several descendants of Monticello families. It focused on the history of slavery in America.
Giving Voice
Opening Up
As time has gone on, and all this new evidence has been collected, the narration on tours has changed to provide a more comprehensive account of the history of the plantation. Details including the harsh work slaves had to perform are now included.
Opening Up
‘No Such Thing as a Good Slave Owner’
With the history of the Hemings’ coming to the forefront of historical discussions, it is raising the debate about Jefferson and his principles. How could a man who wrote “all men are created equal” participate in a system that is by definition unequal. Many tourists question Jefferson’s ethics and are interested in the harsh work slaves did on the fields under his ownership.
‘No Such Thing As A Good Slave Owner’
Jefferson Wasn’t the Only One
Thomas Jefferson was not the only U.S. President who owned slaves. At least 12 Presidents owned slaves, and 8 of them had slaves while they were in office. This is obviously contradictory to the equality principle the country was founded on.
Jefferson Wasn’t The Only One
Early Years of the Republic
In fact 4 of the first 5 Presidents were slave owners, including George Washington. More than 300 slaves lives on his Mount Vernon plantation when he died.
Early Years Of The Republic
Washington Freed His Slaves
Washington was the only slave owner among the presidents who choose to free his slaves. He established this in his will. After his death his wife Martha released more than 100 slaves.
Martha Washington
The Exceptions
The second President of the US, and first Vice President, John Adams, was the exception. He never owned slaves and took a middle ground stance on the issue.
The Exceptions
Like Father, Like Son
Like his famous father, John Quincy Adams, didn’t own slaves during his lifetime. He was the sixth U.S. President and worked as a diplomat before and after his tenure. He opposed slavery while in office, and took a firmer stance as his life went on.
Like Father Like Son
John Adams Mini Series
John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and other founding fathers views on slavery are depicted very well in the 2008 HBO miniseries entitled John Adams. It also features early debates about slavery and the Constitution. The show won 4 Golden Globes and 13 Emmy awards. That is the most of any other miniseries in history!
John Adams Miniseries
Presidents After Jefferson
While there were some exceptions and we know more about Jefferson, there were a number of other Presidents who owned slaves. James Madison, James Monroe, and Andrew Jackson all were slave owners.
Presidents After Jefferson
Before Lincoln
John Tyler, James Polk and Zachary Taylor all owned slaves while in office and supported maintaining the institution. The last two American presidents to own slaves were Andrew Johnson and Ulysses S. Grant.
Before Lincoln
Emancipation Proclamation
During the Civil War in 1863, the 16th U.S. President, Abraham Lincoln, ordered the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed some 3 million enslaved people. After this, many newly freedmen joined in the war effort and fought in segregated units in the military called United States Colored Troops or “USCT.” Their assistance was critical to the Union winning the war.
USCT
13th Amendment
Slavery was officially abolished in 1865 with the adoption of the 13th Amendment. While this amendment was a victory, some loopholes have been capitalized on and are one reason there are still huge racial issues in America.
13th Amendment
Ava Duvernay
The 2016 documentary 13th documents this issue extremely well. It was written and directed by Ava Duvernay and discusses how slavery lead to issues facing America today. Another film of her’s about the life of Martin Luther King Jr, Selma, was screened at the White House when Barak Obama was President.
Ava Duvernay
Acknowledgment
While the history of slavery in the USA and Monticello will remain controversial, it is certainly a step in the right direction to include more details of what is known about the past. As time goes on, we can only hope historians continue to try to reveal the truths about race relations in America.
Acknowledgment