The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family

1735

Elizabeth Hemings (EH) is born.

1746

The marriage of John Wayles (JW) and Martha Eppes brings EH to the Forest.

1748

Martha Wayles is born. Martha Eppes dies and leaves EH as JW's property.

1753-61

EH gives birth to Mary and Martin Hemings, Betty Brown, and Nancy Hemings.

1762-70

EH gives birth to five children by JW: Robert, James (JH), Thenia, Critta, and Peter.

1772

Martha Wayles Skelton (MWJ) marries Thomas Jefferson (TJ), and Betty Brown comes to Monticello as MWJ's maid.

1773

John Wayles dies at the Forest. The Hemingses come under the ownership of TJ and (MWJ). Sarah (Sally) Hemings (SH), the last child of EH and JW, is born.

1774

The Hemings family moves to Monticello

1776-77

TJ in Philadelphia drafts the Declaration of Independence; fourteen-year-old Robert Hemings (RH) lives with him as a manservant. John Hemings, last son of EH, is born at Monticello; in 1777 her last child, Lucy, is born.

1780

Joseph Fossett, son of Mary Hemings, is born.

1781

Wormley Hughes, son of Betty Brown, is born.

1782

Martin Hemings is left in charge of Monticello when TJ escapes from Tarleton's troops.

1782

MWJ dies at Monticello.

1783

SH goes to Eppington with TJ's daughters. Burwell Colbert, son of Betty Brown, is born.

1784

RH trains as a barber. JH goes to France with TJ.

1787

SH travels to London and lives with Abigail Adams, then joins her brother JH in Paris. Mary Hemings is leased to Thomas Bell.

1789

When SH balks at returning to America, TJ promises her a good life and the freedom of their children when they become adults. JH and SH return to Monticello in December.

1790

JH and RH go to New York with TJ. SH gives birth to her first child, who dies.

1791

JH goes to Philadelphia to serve as chef de cuisine in TJ's home.

1792

Mary Hemings asks to be sold to Thomas Bell. Martin Hemings asks to be sold to anyone.

1793

TJ puts his agreement to free JH in writing.

1794

TJ draws up a deed emancipating RH.

1795

TJ files the RH deed, and RH becomes legally free. Harriet Hemings I, daughter of SH and TJ, is born at Monticello.

1796

TJ draws up a deed emancipating JH. JH goes to Philadelphia, TJ files the deed, and JH becomes legally free.

1797

Harriet Hemings I dies.

1798

William Beverley Hemings, son of SH and TJ, is born.

1799

The first published allusions to TJ and SH appear in the press.

1800-01

Mary Hemings and her children Robert Washington Bell and Sarah Jefferson Bell inherit Thomas Bell's property upon his death. Harriet Hemings II is born at Monticello. JH turns down TJ's request that he become chef in the President's House. JH commits suicide in Baltimore.

1802

James Callender exposes the relationship between SH and TJ.

1805

James Madison Hemings, second son of SH and TJ, is born. Beverley Hemings is identified as the eldest son of TJ and SH.

1807

EH dies at Monticello. Joseph Fossett takes charge of the blacksmith shop at Monticello.

1808

Thomas Eston Hemings, the last child SH and TJ, is born at Monticello.

1809

TJ retires from public life. Burwell Colbert becomes his principal manservant and butler. John Hemings takes charge of the Monticello joinery.

1810-26

Beverley and Madison and, then, Madison and Eston Hemings serve as apprentices to their uncle John Hemings, at Monticello and Poplar Forest. Harriet Hemings learns to weave.

1822

Beverley and Harriet leave Monticello to live as white people.

1826

TJ drafts a will formally freeing Burwell Colbert, Joseph Fossett, John Hemings, and Madison and Eston Hemings. TJ dies. SH, Madison, and Eston Hemings move to Charlottesville.

1827

The auction at Monticello disposes of TJ's personal property; the Hemings family is dispersed.

1831

Monticello is sold.