Sally Hemings: Redefining History

For almost three centuries historians have denied the persistent rumors that Thomas Jefferson had a relationship with his slave, Sally Hemings, and was the father of her children. But with new DNA technology, scientists have proven what members of the Hemings family have always known: they are descendents of Thomas Jefferson. Who was Sally Hemings? What choice did she have in her relationship with her master? Was their relationship a union of souls, or the coercion of master over slave? This episode of Biography examines the life of Sally Hemings and her role as the mistress of one of the nation's most revered figures. Sally Hemings: Redefining History would be useful for classes on American History and Culture, African American History, Political Science and Ethics. It is appropriate for high school and college.

OBJECTIVES
Students will learn about the life of Sally Hemings. By analyzing the relationship between Hemings and Jefferson, they will explore the contradictions of American ideals and historical realities. They will examine the situation of African American slaves in general and African American female slaves in particular.

NATIONAL HISTORY STANDARDS
Sally Hemings: Redefining History fulfills the following National Standards for History for grades 5-12: chronological thinking, historical comprehension, historical analysis and interpretations, and historical research capabilities for United States History eras 2 and 3.

• allegation
• bucolic
• concubine
• consensual
• eloquent
• fodder
• inoculate
• opulent
• posterity
• psyche
• purported
• titillate

1. Slavery is one of the most shameful episodes of American history. Discuss the impact of slavery on the course of the nation.

2. How are Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson symbolic of the inconsistency between American ideals and historical realities?

3. Members of the Hemings family have asserted for years that Thomas Jefferson fathered Sally Hemings' children. How have their allegations finally been proven?

4. How did Hemings’ life become public knowledge and part of American legend?

5. How did Hemings’ ancestors come to America?

6. Although Hemings was three-quarters white, she was a slave. Why?

7. How did Thomas Jefferson come to own Sally Hemings and her mother, Betty?

8. Like all slave children, Hemings began her duties at an early age. What were some of her early responsibilities?

9. Discuss the irony of the Declaration of Independence when compared to slavery.

10. Why did Hemings go to Paris? How did the trip abroad influence her life?

11. Discuss the ethics of Jefferson's relationship with Hemings.

12. Hemings and her brother were technically free while they were in Paris. How did Jefferson convince Sally and James Hemings to return to Virginia and enslavement?

13. How did Sally Hemings become a political issue in the presidential election of 1801?

14. Discuss the role of racism in the denial of the Hemings-Jefferson relationship.

15. What is the legacy of Sally Hemings?

1. Moderate a debate in which the class discusses the effects of the confirmation of the Hemings-Jefferson relationship on American history.

2. What was the life of a slave girl like in the late 18th century-early 19th century? Research the era and the conditions of slavery on the Internet and write a short essay in which you recreate a day in the life of a slave girl.

Related Videos

Primary Sources

• Follow this link (http://www.monticello.org/gettingword/) to "Getting Word": The Monticello African American Oral History Project Homepage to view various documents and oral accounts of the Hemings-Jefferson relationship.

Air Dates

• February 08, 2002