John Wayles Jefferson
Encyclopedia
John Wayles Jefferson, born John Wayles Hemings (May 8, 1835 – July 12, 1892), was the son of a former slave who served as a colonel in the Union Army
and was a businessman, becoming a wealthy cotton broker in Memphis, Tennessee
. He was the eldest son of Eston Hemings
(1808–56), a freedman who was seven-eighths European in ancestry and "white" under Virginia law, and Julia Ann Isaacs Hemings (1814–1889), a free woman of color
. His family moved from Charlottesville, Virginia
to Chillicothe, Ohio
in 1836. They later moved to Madison, Wisconsin
in 1852, where they changed their surname to Jefferson and entered the white community.
Jefferson is the grandson of Sarah (Sally) Hemings
, a slave, and her master Thomas Jefferson
, third President of the United States. DNA
tests conducted in 1998 confirmed that a male descendant of John's brother Beverly was descended from the male Jefferson line. For most historians, this data, together with the weight of historical evidence, has confirmed the Hemings family's claim of descent from Thomas Jefferson.
in 1808, the youngest of Sally Hemings
’ six mixed-race children. They are understood to be the children of Thomas Jefferson, Hemings' master, and seven-eighths European in ancestry. Under Virginia law at the time, they were legally white, although born into slavery under the slave law principle of partus sequitur ventrum
.
In DNA studies in 1998, Eston's descendant was found to have Y-DNA that matched that of the Jefferson male line. This confirmed the family's tradition of descent from Thomas Jefferson
and together with the body of historical evidence, has convinced most historians of the connection. Jefferson informally and formally freed all of Sally's children. Eston was freed by Jefferson's will shortly after the president's death in 1826; and "given his time" so that he did not have to wait until age 21. His older brother Madison Hemings
, already 21, had been freed immediately. In 1830 Eston purchased property in Charlottesville, on which he and his brother Madison built a house. Their mother Sally lived with them until her death in 1835.
In Charlottesville, Eston married Julia Ann Isaacs, a mixed-race daughter of wealthy Jewish merchant David Isaacs from Germany, and Ann (Nancy) West, a free woman of color who also built a successful business in the town. Their first son John Wayles Hemings (later Jefferson) was born in Charlottesville in 1835. His first and middle name were after his paternal great-grandfather John Wayles
who, as a widower, had fathered six children by his enslaved concubine Betty Hemings
, of whom the youngest was Sally Hemings. They were the half-siblings of Thomas Jefferson's wife Martha Wayles Skelton. John's sister Anna Wayles Hemings (later Jefferson) (1836–1866) was also born in Charlottesville.
After his mother died, Eston and Julia Ann Hemings moved their family to Chillicothe
in the free state
of Ohio
, where they settled for more than 15 years. His and Julia Ann's youngest child William Beverley Hemings (1839–1908) was born there. The town had a thriving free black community and strong abolitionist activists who helped fugitive slaves along the Underground Railroad
. Eston was well known as a musician and entertainer. The children were educated in the public schools. Madison Hemings and his family also moved there.
In 1852, after passage of the Fugitive Slave Act increased the danger to members of the African-American community as slave catchers came to Ohio, the family moved North to Madison, Wisconsin
, the state capital. There Eston changed his name to Eston Hemings Jefferson; his wife and teenage children also adopted the new surname. John was 17, Anna 16, and Beverly 13 at the time of the move. The family lived as part of the white community in Madison. As adults, both Anna and Beverly Jefferson married white spouses. Anna died young in 1866 at the age of 30.
on August 26, 1861, at Madison
, Wisconsin. He took command of the Wisconsin 8th Infantry
during the American Civil War
. On September 28, 1861 he was promoted to Major; to Lieutenant Colonel
on April 23, 1863; and to Colonel
on June 16, 1864. He fought in significant battles of the war and was wounded at Vicksburg
and during the Siege of Corinth
. He was mustered out of service on October 11, 1864 at Madison, Wisconsin. His brother, William Beverly Jefferson, also served as a white soldier in the Union Army.
His service records noted that John Jefferson had red hair and gray eyes. Images show his resemblance to Thomas Jefferson. In 1902, a former neighbor from Chillicothe recalled:
, Tennessee, where he became a prominent businessman. He became a cotton broker and the owner of the Continental Cotton Company.
Jefferson never married. He died on June 12, 1892. He was interred in Madison, Wisconsin, in the Jefferson family plot at Forest Hill Cemetery
. He left a sizeable estate.
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
and was a businessman, becoming a wealthy cotton broker in Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
. He was the eldest son of Eston Hemings
Eston Hemings
Eston Hemings Jefferson was born a slave at Monticello, the youngest son of Sally Hemings, a mixed-race slave. Most historians believe that his father was Thomas Jefferson, the United States president. Evidence from a 1998 DNA test showed that Eston's descendants matched those of the male...
(1808–56), a freedman who was seven-eighths European in ancestry and "white" under Virginia law, and Julia Ann Isaacs Hemings (1814–1889), a free woman of color
Free people of color
A free person of color in the context of the history of slavery in the Americas, is a person of full or partial African descent who was not enslaved...
. His family moved from Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
to Chillicothe, Ohio
Chillicothe, Ohio
Chillicothe is a city in and the county seat of Ross County, Ohio, United States.Chillicothe was the first and third capital of Ohio and is located in southern Ohio along the Scioto River. The name comes from the Shawnee name Chalahgawtha, meaning "principal town", as it was a major settlement of...
in 1836. They later moved to Madison, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
in 1852, where they changed their surname to Jefferson and entered the white community.
Jefferson is the grandson of Sarah (Sally) Hemings
Sally Hemings
Sarah "Sally" Hemings was a mixed-race slave owned by President Thomas Jefferson through inheritance from his wife. She was the half-sister of Jefferson's wife, Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson by their father John Wayles...
, a slave, and her master Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
, third President of the United States. DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
tests conducted in 1998 confirmed that a male descendant of John's brother Beverly was descended from the male Jefferson line. For most historians, this data, together with the weight of historical evidence, has confirmed the Hemings family's claim of descent from Thomas Jefferson.
Early life and family
John's father Eston Hemings was born a slave at MonticelloMonticello
Monticello is a National Historic Landmark just outside Charlottesville, Virginia, United States. It was the estate of Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence, third President of the United States, and founder of the University of Virginia; it is...
in 1808, the youngest of Sally Hemings
Sally Hemings
Sarah "Sally" Hemings was a mixed-race slave owned by President Thomas Jefferson through inheritance from his wife. She was the half-sister of Jefferson's wife, Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson by their father John Wayles...
’ six mixed-race children. They are understood to be the children of Thomas Jefferson, Hemings' master, and seven-eighths European in ancestry. Under Virginia law at the time, they were legally white, although born into slavery under the slave law principle of partus sequitur ventrum
Partus sequitur ventrum
Partus sequitur ventrem, often abbreviated to partus, in the British North American colonies and later in the United States, was a legal doctrine which the English colonists incorporated in legislation related to definitions of slavery. It was derived from the Roman civil law; it held that the...
.
In DNA studies in 1998, Eston's descendant was found to have Y-DNA that matched that of the Jefferson male line. This confirmed the family's tradition of descent from Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
and together with the body of historical evidence, has convinced most historians of the connection. Jefferson informally and formally freed all of Sally's children. Eston was freed by Jefferson's will shortly after the president's death in 1826; and "given his time" so that he did not have to wait until age 21. His older brother Madison Hemings
Madison Hemings
Madison Hemings, born James Madison Hemings , was born into slavery as the son of the mixed-race slave Sally Hemings; he was freed after the death of his master Thomas Jefferson. Based on historical evidence, most historians believe that Jefferson, United States president, was his father...
, already 21, had been freed immediately. In 1830 Eston purchased property in Charlottesville, on which he and his brother Madison built a house. Their mother Sally lived with them until her death in 1835.
In Charlottesville, Eston married Julia Ann Isaacs, a mixed-race daughter of wealthy Jewish merchant David Isaacs from Germany, and Ann (Nancy) West, a free woman of color who also built a successful business in the town. Their first son John Wayles Hemings (later Jefferson) was born in Charlottesville in 1835. His first and middle name were after his paternal great-grandfather John Wayles
John Wayles
John Wayles was a planter, slave trader and lawyer in the Virginia Colony. He is historically best known as the father-in-law of Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States....
who, as a widower, had fathered six children by his enslaved concubine Betty Hemings
Betty Hemings
Elizabeth "Betty" Hemings was an American enslaved woman of mixed race, who in 1761 became the concubine of the planter John Wayles of Virginia. He had become a widower for the third time. He had six children with her over a 12-year period...
, of whom the youngest was Sally Hemings. They were the half-siblings of Thomas Jefferson's wife Martha Wayles Skelton. John's sister Anna Wayles Hemings (later Jefferson) (1836–1866) was also born in Charlottesville.
After his mother died, Eston and Julia Ann Hemings moved their family to Chillicothe
Chillicothe, Ohio
Chillicothe is a city in and the county seat of Ross County, Ohio, United States.Chillicothe was the first and third capital of Ohio and is located in southern Ohio along the Scioto River. The name comes from the Shawnee name Chalahgawtha, meaning "principal town", as it was a major settlement of...
in the free state
Free state
Free state may refer to:* Free state , a loosely defined term used by various states at different times and places to describe themselves...
of Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, where they settled for more than 15 years. His and Julia Ann's youngest child William Beverley Hemings (1839–1908) was born there. The town had a thriving free black community and strong abolitionist activists who helped fugitive slaves along the Underground Railroad
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and safe houses used by 19th-century black slaves in the United States to escape to free states and Canada with the aid of abolitionists and allies who were sympathetic to their cause. The term is also applied to the abolitionists,...
. Eston was well known as a musician and entertainer. The children were educated in the public schools. Madison Hemings and his family also moved there.
In 1852, after passage of the Fugitive Slave Act increased the danger to members of the African-American community as slave catchers came to Ohio, the family moved North to Madison, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
, the state capital. There Eston changed his name to Eston Hemings Jefferson; his wife and teenage children also adopted the new surname. John was 17, Anna 16, and Beverly 13 at the time of the move. The family lived as part of the white community in Madison. As adults, both Anna and Beverly Jefferson married white spouses. Anna died young in 1866 at the age of 30.
Career
John W. Jefferson operated the American House hotel in Madison, where he brought on his younger brother Beverly to help and learn the business.Military service
At the age of 26, Jefferson entered the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
on August 26, 1861, at Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
, Wisconsin. He took command of the Wisconsin 8th Infantry
8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 8th Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The 8th Wisconsin's mascot was Old Abe, a bald eagle that accompanied the regiment into battle.-Service:...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. On September 28, 1861 he was promoted to Major; to Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
on April 23, 1863; and to Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
on June 16, 1864. He fought in significant battles of the war and was wounded at Vicksburg
Battle of Vicksburg
The Siege of Vicksburg was the final major military action in the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. In a series of maneuvers, Union Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and his Army of the Tennessee crossed the Mississippi River and drove the Confederate army of Lt. Gen. John C...
and during the Siege of Corinth
Siege of Corinth
The Siege of Corinth was an American Civil War battle fought from April 29 to May 30, 1862, in Corinth, Mississippi.-Background:...
. He was mustered out of service on October 11, 1864 at Madison, Wisconsin. His brother, William Beverly Jefferson, also served as a white soldier in the Union Army.
His service records noted that John Jefferson had red hair and gray eyes. Images show his resemblance to Thomas Jefferson. In 1902, a former neighbor from Chillicothe recalled:
...and I saw and talked with one of the sons, during the Civil War, who was then wearing the silver leaves of a lieutenant colonel, and in command of a fine regiment of white men from a north-western state. He begged me not to tell the fact that he had colored blood in his veins, which he said was not suspected by any of his command; and of course I did not.
Post-war career
Jefferson wrote as a newspaper correspondent during and after the war, producing articles about his experiences. He later moved from Madison to MemphisMemphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
, Tennessee, where he became a prominent businessman. He became a cotton broker and the owner of the Continental Cotton Company.
Jefferson never married. He died on June 12, 1892. He was interred in Madison, Wisconsin, in the Jefferson family plot at Forest Hill Cemetery
Forest Hill Cemetery
Forest Hill Cemetery is located in Dane County, Madison, Wisconsin and was one of the first U.S. National Cemeteries established in Wisconsin.After the first permanent settlers arrived in Madison in the 1830s, the first non-native burials occurred on the current University of Wisconsin–Madison...
. He left a sizeable estate.
External links
- Jefferson Family Papers, UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections
- "Thomas Jefferson's Madison Descendants?" Wisconsin Historical Society
- Thomas Jefferson, PBS Frontline