Charlottesville in Albemarle County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Sally Hemings

(1773-1835)

Photographed By Bradley Owen, August 14, 2023

1. Sally Hemings Marker

Inscription.

Sally Hemings. Enslaved Woman . Seamstress . World Traveler . Sister . Negotiator . Mother . Inherited Property . Concubine . Daughter . Aunt . Mystery . Liberator. Brief Biography, ● Born 1773 into slavery in Virginia, ● Daughter of John Wayles and his enslaved house servant, Elizabeth Hemings, ● Half-sister of Jefferson's wife, Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson:, - Same father - Little documentation and no images of either - Both described as industrious - Both had at least six children and lost children in infancy, ● Three of Hemings's grandparents were of European descent; her maternal grandmother was African, ● Came to Monticello as inherited property with her mother and siblings, ● Worked two and a half years (1787-89) in Paris, France, as a domestic servant in Jefferson's household, ● Free in France, ● At 16 years old, negotiated a "treaty" with Jefferson in Paris:, - She would receive "extraordinary privileges" At Monticello, this meant she took care of Jefferson's chamber, raised her children, did "such light work as sewing" and never worked in the fields - He would free her future children at age 21 - She would return to Virginia and slavery, ● Mother of at least six children fathered by Jefferson between 1790 and 1808, ● Lost at least two children in infancy, ● Had limited, if any, contact with her two eldest children after they left slavery and passed into white society, ● Saw her two younger sons gain legal freedom in Jefferson's will, ● Lived unofficially free in Charlottesville from Jefferson's death in 1826 until her death in 1835, It was her duty, all her life which I can remember, up to the time of father's death, to take care of his chamber and wardrobe, look after us children and do such light work as sewing., Madison Hemings, Pike County (Ohio) Republican, 1873 Son of Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson, What Did Sally Hemings Look Like? Sally Hemings's appearance is described by only two individuals who knew her:, Sally mighty near white...Sally was very handsome, long straight hair down her back., Isaac (Granger) Jefferson, 1847 Formerly enslaved blacksmith, ...light colored and decidedly good looking..., Thomas Jefferson Randolph, ca. 1851 Jefferson's grandson, (sidebar) The Life Of Sally Hemings Exhibit, The Life of Sally Hemings exhibit is a five minute audio-visual immersive experience that relies on the words of Sally Hemings's son, Madison, to explore her life and the legacy of freedom she achieved for her family.

Enslaved Woman • Seamstress • World Traveler • Sister • Negotiator • Mother • Inherited Property • Concubine • Daughter • Aunt • Mystery • Liberator
Brief Biography

● Born 1773 into slavery in Virginia

● Daughter of John Wayles and his enslaved house servant, Elizabeth Hemings

● Half-sister of Jefferson's wife, Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson:

- Same father
- Little documentation and no images of either
- Both described as industrious
- Both had at least six children and lost children in infancy

● Three of Hemings's grandparents were of European descent; her maternal grandmother was African

● Came to Monticello as inherited property with her mother and siblings

● Worked two and a half years (1787-89) in Paris, France, as a domestic servant in Jefferson's household

● Free in France

● At 16 years old, negotiated a "treaty" with Jefferson in Paris:

- She would receive "extraordinary privileges"
At Monticello, this meant she took care of Jefferson's chamber, raised her children, did "such light work as sewing" and never worked in the fields
- He would free her future children at age 21
- She would

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return to Virginia and slavery

● Mother of at least six children fathered by Jefferson between 1790 and 1808

● Lost at least two children in infancy

● Had limited, if any, contact with her two eldest children after they left slavery and passed into white society

● Saw her two younger sons gain legal freedom in Jefferson's will

● Lived unofficially free in Charlottesville from Jefferson's death in 1826 until her death in 1835

It was her duty, all her life which I can remember, up to the time of father's death, to take care of his chamber and wardrobe, look after us children and do such light work as sewing.

Madison Hemings, Pike County (Ohio) Republican, 1873
Son of Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson

What Did Sally Hemings Look Like?
Sally Hemings's appearance is described by only two individuals who knew her:

Sally mighty near white...Sally was very handsome, long straight hair down her back.

Isaac (Granger) Jefferson, 1847
Formerly enslaved blacksmith

...light colored and decidedly good looking...

Thomas Jefferson Randolph, ca. 1851
Jefferson's grandson

(sidebar)
The Life Of Sally Hemings Exhibit

The Life of Sally

Photographed By Bradley Owen, August 14, 2023

2. Sally Hemings Marker

Marker is on the far right.

Hemings exhibit is a five minute audio-visual immersive experience that relies on the words of Sally Hemings's son, Madison, to explore her life and the legacy of freedom she achieved for her family.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Women. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1773.

Location. 38° 0.593′ N, 78° 27.141′ W. Marker is in Charlottesville, Virginia, in Albemarle County. Marker can be reached from Monticello Loop, 0.4 miles north of Thomas Jefferson Parkway (Virginia Route 53), on the left when traveling north. Marker is located below the south wing at Monticello. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 931 Thomas Jefferson Parkway, Charlottesville VA 22902, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sally Hemings's Life (here, next to this marker); A Presidential Scandal: (here, next to this marker); Making Monticello (a few steps from this marker); South Pavilion (a few steps from this marker); Mulberry Row (within shouting distance of this marker); Vegetable Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Smokehouse/Dairy (within shouting distance of this marker); The Levy Legacy (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlottesville.

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Credits. This page was last revised on August 24, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2023, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 93 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 20, 2023, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 2. submitted on August 22, 2023, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.