DNA Tests Indicate That Jefferson Fathered Slave’s Child
At a glance:
- Series: Great Events: 1900-2001
- Categories: Science
- Subcategories: Politicians, Diplomats, Presidents, Prime Ministers, Biology, Biologists, Scientists, Slavery, Slaves, Children, Genetics, Family, Marriage
- Curriculum: American History 1951-present, African American History
- Geographical Location: Virginia
- Date: November 5, 1998
Article abstract: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) tests strongly indicated that Eston Hemings, born in 1808, was the son of President Thomas Jefferson and the latter’s slave Sally Hemings. It had been rumored since Jefferson’s lifetime that he had fathered at least one child with Hemings, and the test results seemed to confirm this.
An Old Rumor Revived
On November 5, 1998, many Americans were surprised to learn that their third president, Thomas Jefferson, almost certainly fathered at least one child with Sally Hemings, one of his slaves. The report was...
[The entire page is 951 words long]
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