14. Hemings Children
Hemings-Jefferson Descendants | quod.lib.umich.edu
Holding tight to his story that it never happened, Jefferson still decided to release Sally’s children from the bondage of slavery. She had six, of which four survived. The first two, Beverly and Harriet, Jefferson released in 1822, the next two, Madison and Eston, in 1826. When Jefferson passed, Martha freed Sally per his wishes. He released none of his other slaves or their children, raising suspicions about his motivations, but he held strong. The children were so light skinned, moving into society as freed people would be almost seamless.