[centurion316]

First a disclaimer. I am a descendant of Field Jefferson, the uncle whose descendants provided the DNA used to test the paternity.

I fully support the findings that Eston Hemmings is a Jefferson descendanty, and thereby, my cousin. We have known for decades that such misogyny occurred and was common among white slave owners and their slaves. We now know for certain that the Jefferson family engaged in this practice. Recent revelations about Senator Thurmond confirm that the practice did not end with emancipation.

We must also accept that Thomas Jefferson must be counted among the several potential candidates. Statistically, he must stand as the favored candidate by virtue of opportunity and circumstance. But, since conception requires but one encounter, a statistical case is hardly appropriate. So we are left with several candidates who also had at least some opportunity to produce this offspring. The case would be much stronger if other descendants proved to be Jefferson progeny, but so far only Eston's descendants have been confirmed. There are other possible lines of research, but descendants have thus far declined to cooperate.

I do not question the research premise. It was a legimate line of questioning from both a technical and historical perspective and one well worth doing. My objection is to the conclusion that so many so quickly embraced. Any who have taken the position that this conclusion is not supported by the facts have been labeled racist, ignorant, and worse. Its not healthy these days to refute the dogmatic views of the Academy.

You need to read the Blue Ribbon Commission report before you again say that conclusions are speculation devoid of evidence. I certainly do not consider their work to be strained and tortured - that characterization would better fit the views of the other side.

[lepton]

We have known for decades that such misogyny occurred and was common among white slave owners and their slaves. We now know for certain that the Jefferson family engaged in this practice. Recent revelations about Senator Thurmond confirm that the practice did not end with emancipation.

Nit-pick alert: Emancipation, by definition, ended the practice.

[tcuoohjohn]

I am very supicious of your post. The primary reason is your use of the word misogny (Of or characterized by a hatred of women.) for miscegenation( The interbreeding of different races or of persons of different racial backgrounds.) Pardon my suspicion, but one intimately familiar with the issue as you say you are, would be unlikely to make that mistake.

You post while true in all respects fails to give due weight to the the probability that Jefferson is the father of Hemming's child. As you say conception can occur from when circumstance. It also true that the statistical likelyhood increases dramatically with multiple efforts.

If you compare the number of possible opportunites of other genetic candidates with those of Jefferson the statistical probabilities of Jefferson being the father of Hemmings child are dramatically larger. It isn't ultimately definitive But if you had to bet the deed to your home which is the strongest probability?..Jefferson..by far.