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Subject:
From:
Anne Pemberton <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:55:46 -0400
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David,

Seems to me that the assumption of a slave called Sandy as the father of 
Sally's children, would render other accounts of Sally's relationship with 
Jefferson as non-truth. Since there are a number of such references, from 
Madison, from Eston's family, from old Monticello slaves, the diary of a 
neighbor, and let's not forget James Callender, it would seem wrong-headed 
to go off in the direction of a Sandy as father without some confirmation 
that at least SOMEONE at the time and in the place remarked on such a 
relationship. To me it seems much more speculative than Mensies assertion 
that the Chinese discovered American in 1421. While is is scientifically 
POSSIBLE, historically, it is highly improbable.

And why, praytell, would Jefferson have gone so far out of his way to free 
Sally's children if they were fathered by another slave? Just doesn't add 
up.

Anne


Anne Pemberton
[log in to unmask]
http://www.erols.com/apembert
http://www.educationalsynthesis.org
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Kiracofe" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 1:53 PM
Subject: Re: New Presidential Descendant Claimant


I'm not going to dispute the science, but Ms. Pemberton is correct  -- even 
if we decline to follow her in labelling Mr. Barger as a "liar."   But Mr. 
Barger _has_ leaped from the "possibility" of a slave bearing another 
(earlier?) Jefferson DNA to an assertion that we can pinpoint this 
individual as Sandy ( "This slave's  name was "SANDY", a name that denotes 
reddish hair...").  That is a mere assumption.   At the same time, Mr. 
Barger's assumption _is_ plausible -- so we should consider it .  But it 
only adds to the list of possible fathers among whom Thomas Jefferson must 
remain firmly in place.

David Kiracofe
>
>Herbert is correct in his remarks about the possibility. And Sandy is
>certainly a red-head nickname. And his final point about the DNA
>testing is the one that all should take away from this discussion.
>Without additional testing, all the analysis of existing and known
>documents will not settle the issue.
>
>Science rules, OK.
>
>Lyle Browning, RPA
>
>


David Kiracofe
History
Tidewater Community College
Chesapeake Campus
1428 Cedar Road
Chesapeake, Virginia 23322
757-822-5136

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