Jump to content

Draft:Beverly Hemings

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Beverly Hemings
BornApril 1, 1798
Diedafter 1822
Occupation(s)tradesmen and carpenter.
Known forBeing the son of Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson
PartnerUnnamed spouse
ChildrenOne daughter, name unknown.
Parent(s)Sally Hemings
Thomas Jefferson
RelativesHarriet Hemings (sister), Madison Hemings (brother), Eston Hemings (brother)

Beverly Hemings (April 1, 1798 – after 1822) was an American who was born into slavery at Monticello, the plantation home of Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States, before his presidency. Most historians believe his father was Jefferson, who is now believed to have fathered, with his slave Sally Hemings, four children who survived to adulthood, including his siblings, Harriet, Madison, and Eston.

Jefferson never legally freed Beverly, however he was written as a "runaway" in Jefferson's plantation farm book. He and his sister Harriet, later moved to Washington D.C., and married and had children. Hemings married a white woman, after he passed for white, and they had one daughter.

Early life and education

[edit]

Hemings was born on April 1, 1798 at Monticello, his slave owner's plantation home. He was the eldest surviving child of Sally Hemings and likely Thomas Jefferson. Ultimately, four children would survive to adulthood.