Sally Hemings
Sally Hemings (1773-1835) was a household slave at Thomas Jeffersons plantation, Monticello. She had a relationship with widower Thomas Jefferson for 37 years and had six children with him. Only four of the children lived to adulthood. Because Sally was a slave, their children were also considered to be slaves. Sally and their children lived in the great house with Thomas Jefferson at Monticello. Their children received some tutoring and both sons played the violin like their father. The children were always referred to as servants, never as slaves. They were required to do only light housework and errands. Little is known about how Sally felt or what she looked like. As a slave, she probably never had her portrait painted. All of Sallys children became free when they were young adults. Sally was freed by Thomas Jeffersons oldest daughter about two years after his death in 1826. She was 54 years old. Sally left Monticello and lived with her sons, Madison and Eston, until her death in 1835.
Sally Hemings (1773-1835) was a household slave at Thomas Jeffersons plantation, Monticello. She had a relationship with widower Thomas Jefferson for 37 years and had six children with him. Only four of the children lived to adulthood. Because Sally was a slave, their children were also considered to be slaves. Sally and their children lived in the great house with Thomas Jefferson at Monticello. Their children received some tutoring and both sons played the violin like their father. The children were always referred to as servants, never as slaves. They were required to do only light housework and errands. Little is known about how Sally felt or what she looked like. As a slave, she probably never had her portrait painted. All of Sallys children became free when they were young adults. Sally was freed by Thomas Jeffersons oldest daughter about two years after his death in 1826. She was 54 years old. Sally left Monticello and lived with her sons, Madison and Eston, until her death in 1835.