Although Eston Hemings died long ago, his life is still worth digging into. Eston Hemings worked as a carpenter and musician. Something interesting about his life is that a DNA test from his descendant matched the male lineage of the third President of the United States, hinting that Eston might have been the son of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States. Keep reading this post as we understand more about who Eston Hemings is.
Eston Hemings’ Wiki and Biography
Eston Hemings Jefferson was born on May 21, 1808. He was born into slavery at Monticello. His mother was Sally Hemings, and he was the youngest son of a mixed-race enslaved woman. Over the years, historians have tried to understand whether Eston was the son of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States.
The speculation about his father arose after a DNA test of Eston’s descendant matched that of Thomas Jefferson’s male line. The test provoked the thought and a possible conclusion that Eston might be the son of Thomas Jefferson. Historians have argued differently regarding the matter. Some say that Eston could have been one of Thomas Jefferson’s children with Sally Hemings. However, some have disputed the claim, saying the connection isn’t possible.
Thomas Jefferson is believed to have been a slave and freed when Eston was a child, leaving behind his family in slavery to stay with their mother. However, when Eston and his brother came of age and married, they relocated to Charlottesville, Virginia, and lived with their mother until she died in 1835.
After her death, Eston and his brother moved to a free state in Chillicothe, Ohio. This relocation helped Eston secure a source of living, working as an entertainer and musician.
Eston’s Family
In 1852, Eston again relocated to Madison, Wisconsin, with his wife and three children. They then took up Jefferson as their surname, enabling them to join the white community. Eston’s sons joined the Union Army, and one son, John Wayles Jefferson, rose to colonel before moving to Memphis, Tennessee.
Beverly and Anna Jefferson, the other children of Eston, stayed in Madison and married into the white community. Eston had three siblings. His brother was Beverly Hemings. His sisters were Harriet and Madison Hemings. However, information about his siblings remains unknown.
Eston’s wife was Julia Ann Isaacs, and they married in 1832. His wife was a free woman of color, and she was born in 1814. Her father was David Isaacs, and he was a reputable Jewish merchant. As for her mother, her name was Nancy West, and she was a free woman of mixed race.
Eston and his wife had three children. The firstborn, John Wayles Jefferson, was born in 1835 and died in 1892. Their second child, Anna Wayles Jefferson, was born in 1837 and died in 1866. The last born is Beverly Frederick Jefferson. He was born in 1839 and died in 1908. As for Eston, he died in Madison, Wisconsin on January 3, 1856.