Sarah “Sally” Hemings was a slave owned by President Thomas Jefferson through an inheritance of his wife, Martha Jefferson. Never marrying, Hemings bore six children with Jefferson, four lived until they were adults. They went on to have Beverley Hemings, April 1, 1798 – 1873, Thena, (or possibly unnamed) 1799-1799, Harriet Hemings II, May 22, 1801 – 1863, Madison Hemings, January 19, 1807 – 1877 and Eston Hemings, May 21, 1808 – 1856. All of the aforementioned births were recorded in Jefferson’s slave book although there was no mention of their father. All of the Hemings children were required to run light errands and at the age of 14, all began training for their respective roles.

Source: The North Africa Journal June 04, 2018 13:55 UTC