I read somewhere that that friend was not particularly close or even a friend. I’m thinking I read it in the report by the prominent historians who have not conceded to popular opinion regarding the Hemings children.
My favorite professor signed on to that report. He disliked Jefferson immensely. But he was not moved by the evidence. And his job was to examine all the evidence. He was a very wise old man when I knew him, and I loved him dearly. He wanted to say Jefferson fathered those children. But he didn’t. He taught a lot of negatives about our Founding Fathers based on historical evidence.
I’m on the fence though I lean towards Jefferson doing the dirty with his slave.
I think the evidence for Jefferson fathering Eston is strong enough to prove he fathered him at least.