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Under a Monticello Restroom, a Hidden Piece of History: bedroom of slave Sally Hemings
Newser ^ | Feb 20, 2017 | Jenn Gidman

Posted on 02/21/2017 2:26:51 AM PST by iowamark

A $35 million restoration of Monticello is underway, but it's what's been buried under a restroom there for nearly 80 years that's been attracting the most attention of late: the bedroom of Sally Hemings, one of President Thomas Jefferson's slaves and the mother of six children who historians suspect were his, the Washington Post reports. The WWII-era bathroom that was apparently built over where Hemings slept, close to Jefferson's own bedroom, has been slowly pulled apart by archaeologists based on coordinates provided by the third president's own grandson. The work is revealing the 18th-century plaster walls and brick floor, and peeling back the cover-up of a long-hidden (but well-known) secret of Jefferson's longtime relationship with Hemings.

USA Today explains it's all part of the Mountaintop Project, an ambitious initiative to bring the former Virginia plantation back to how "Jefferson knew it," and to showcase more stories of those who lived on the estate—both free residents and slaves, of which the author of the Declaration of Independence owned hundreds. Hemings, believed to have been a nursemaid for the president's daughter, then a regular Monticello maid, is rumored to be the daughter of Jefferson's father-in-law. Once the room (set to be open to the public next year) is fully restored, it will be furnished with artifacts from the Jefferson-Hemings period. A philanthropist who's donated money to various Monticello projects says bringing people to such historic landmarks means you have to "show them what it was really like. … The good and bad of history." (The UVa community pleaded with its president to not quote Jefferson.)
 



TOPICS: History
KEYWORDS: sallyhemmings; thomasjefferson
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There is really no way to know whether Sally Hemmings' children were fathered by Thomas Jefferson or one of his relatives. In any case, he certainly knew what was going on. It is interesting to note that Sally's mostly white children were able to pass as white.
1 posted on 02/21/2017 2:26:51 AM PST by iowamark
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To: iowamark

Seems only only one of Sally’s children were fathered by a Jefferson and Sally was Thomas Jefferson’s wife’s servant. I imagine here quarters were close to Jefferson and his wife’s quarters.


2 posted on 02/21/2017 2:53:26 AM PST by carcraft (Pray for our Country)
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To: carcraft

That’s the correct reason, but not the one the media wants to push.

So, let me get this straight. We shut down sites that commemorate our confederate generals. We denounce the Civil War, from the Southern side in general, but let’s celebrate, once again the White Man who takes advantage of a black slave.

In short, that’s the only piece of history fed to students regarding our second president.


3 posted on 02/21/2017 3:04:03 AM PST by nikos1121 (We are about to see The Golden Age of Pericles in the new Trump Administration.)
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To: iowamark

4 posted on 02/21/2017 3:06:17 AM PST by nikos1121 (We are about to see The Golden Age of Pericles in the new Trump Administration.)
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To: iowamark

Sally herself was very light skinned. In the 1830 census, she, and two sons, living with her at the time, were listed as white.


5 posted on 02/21/2017 3:27:28 AM PST by Bull Snipe
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To: iowamark

We visited Monticello last March. 99% of the theme was the “enslaved people” who were treated so terribly that they were sent to Paris to learn the culinary arts. Many of these “oppressed people” were dining off of fine bone china and even owned their own sets. I was appalled at the total revisionist narrative and lib spin.

As you read the placards of the actual history, the tour guides were telling you something completely different. Kind of like today’s mainstream media!


6 posted on 02/21/2017 3:31:56 AM PST by AbolishCSEU (Amount of CS paid is inversely proportionate to Mother's actual parenting of children)
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To: nikos1121

Jefferson is too freedom loving and pro 2A for the left. This piece of lore will be used to diminish him. When they get done it will be like that picture of Stalin with a person air brushed out.


7 posted on 02/21/2017 3:34:17 AM PST by Mouton (There is a new sheriff in town.)
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To: carcraft

Sally Hemings was 9 years old at the time of Martha Jefferson’s death. Martha Jefferson’s father (John Wayles) was also the father of Sally Hemings. That made Sally Mrs. Jefferson’s half sister.


8 posted on 02/21/2017 3:43:57 AM PST by Bull Snipe
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To: AbolishCSEU

This is the “pick the racial scab story du jour”...


9 posted on 02/21/2017 3:54:51 AM PST by kearnyirish2 (Affirmative action is economic warfare against white males (and therefore white families).)
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To: iowamark

10 posted on 02/21/2017 3:59:45 AM PST by Hatteras
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To: Bull Snipe

She also was something like 7/8 white and looked just like Martha Jefferson’s twin.

During my time a The University, it was said that Mr. Jefferson transferred his love from his deceased wife, Martha, to Sally.

Also, Martha Randolph Jefferson, Mr. Jefferson’s daughter, acted as First Lady during his service as POTUS, so Ivanka’s role has historic precedent.


11 posted on 02/21/2017 4:00:35 AM PST by Andy from Chapel Hill
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To: Andy from Chapel Hill

Thanks


12 posted on 02/21/2017 4:02:28 AM PST by Bull Snipe
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To: Hatteras

Ha! Movin’ on up.


13 posted on 02/21/2017 4:03:30 AM PST by deadrock (I is someone else.)
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To: iowamark
In any case, he certainly knew what was going on.

Certainly? He 'certainly knew'? From where do you draw that conclusion, I'm curious to know.

14 posted on 02/21/2017 4:15:03 AM PST by Quality_Not_Quantity
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To: Andy from Chapel Hill
... Mr. Jefferson’s daughter acted as First Lady White House hostess during his service ...

There have been several other Presidents for whom a female relative, rather than a wife, filled this role.

15 posted on 02/21/2017 4:29:59 AM PST by Tax-chick ("I prefer to think of myself as ... civilized." ~Jonathan Q. Higgins)
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To: kearnyirish2

Yes, since the 90s, the race hustlers have been picking at the healed wounds of the Civil War, attacking flags and Honoured Foe.

Today, no lie is large enough. Anything to promote reparations, Black supremacy and the denigration of our Founding Fathers.

We are at war and it is time to take a stand, turn the tide and drive these assholes from our society.


16 posted on 02/21/2017 4:31:35 AM PST by Redleg Duke (He is leading us in Making America Great Again!)
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To: iowamark
I agree....and they know this was her bedroom how?

Sorry, just too many fairy tales.

When I visited, they had wood huts where the slaves lived.

17 posted on 02/21/2017 4:33:11 AM PST by Sacajaweau
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To: Hatteras

LOL!!!

Does Monticello have an East Side?!


18 posted on 02/21/2017 4:33:16 AM PST by exit82 (The opposition has already been Trumped!)
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To: Sacajaweau

Written source material, archeological evidence. IIRC, Monticello is privately owned and operated. The NPS, for better or worse, has nothing to do with it. We were there a couple of years ago, booked one of the in depth tours. It was very good, thorough, detailed. We were actually surprised at the lack of PC.


19 posted on 02/21/2017 4:47:34 AM PST by mewzilla (I'll vote for the first guy who promises to mail in his SOTU addresses.)
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To: Sacajaweau

The article stated that the location was described by Jefferson’s grandson. Thomas Jefferson Randolph had a part in settling the $100,000 debt that was outstanding when his grandfather died.


20 posted on 02/21/2017 4:50:06 AM PST by Bull Snipe
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