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Archiver > GEN-MEDIEVAL > 2001-10 > 1003242714


From: Sam Sloan <>
Subject: Re: Peer Review: Again, Off Topic.
Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2001 10:31:54 -0400
References: <7a.1c45a5bd.28fc7e2d@aol.com><3.0.6.32.20011015235624.008b2e60@ishipress.com>
In-Reply-To: <3BCC37EA.2030505@dcn.davis.ca.us>


At 06:36 AM 10/16/2001 -0700, Chris & Tom Tinney, Sr. wrote:

>The only logical and rational conclusion is
>that the said Thomas Jefferson would have
>considered it beneath his own personal
>dignity to consort with any black slave.
>"I advance it therefore as a suspicion only,
>that the blacks, whether originally a distinct
>race, or made distinct by time and
>circumstances, are inferior to the whites in
>the endowments both of body and mind." . . .

Interesting point, but Sally Hemings was not black. She was white.

Both her father, John Wayles, and her grandfather, Captain Hemings, were
white.

Here is a quote from Edmond Bacon from the 1862 interview which is often
cited as evidence that Thomas Jefferson was not the father:

"He freed one girl some years before he died, and there was a great deal
of talk about it. She was nearly as white as anybody and very beautiful.
People said he freed her because she was his own daughter."

That one girl was Harriet II, daughter of Sally Hemings, born 22 May 1801.

Here is what Isreal Jefferson said in his memoirs, as published by James A.
Bear:

"Sally Hemings' mother Betty was a bright mullato woman and Sally was
mighty near white; she was the youngest child. Folks said that these was
Mr. Wayles children. Sally was very handsome, long straight hair down her
back."

The reference to "long straight hair" also identifies Sally as not being
black, since black have short kinky hair.

Sam Sloan


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