[CatoRenasci]

Excellent point. For my money, absent further testing of the William Hemmings line, the Carr nephews are the most likely candidates for the known children other than Easton, based on all of the evidence avaiable. As to Easton, the matter is less clear, but there are several possiblities besides Thomas: Randolph was invited to come when Eason was conceived, and some of his sons may have been present.

Of course there is also Randolph's proclivity for fraternizing with the slaves:

Isaac Jefferson, in his "Memoirs of a Monticello Slave," as dictated to Charles Campbell, made the following statement:

"Old Master's brother, Mass Randall[sic], was a mighty simple man: used to come out among black people, play the fiddle and dance half the night; hadn't much more sense than Isaac." (JB p 22)

My sympathies are with your family as you deal with both the reality of some connection and the calumny heaped upon your most distinguished family member.

[centurion316]

My sympathies are with your family as you deal with both the reality of some connection and the calumny heaped upon your most distinguished family member.

Thanks. I welcome all my cousins, and accept that our famous relation must endure these sorts of attacks. I attempt in some feeble way to defend him where possible, as well as to recognize that one of my relations was up to no good, whether Thomas, Randolph or other of that ilk. The greater tragedy is that the Jefferson clan were inclined to pass on legacies that were larger in liabilities and debts than in tangible assets.