"ANTI-HERO"
historian's
Next think you know, one of these anti-hero historians will try to prove that R. E. Lee wasn't perfect.
J South
-----Original Message-----
From: Herbert Barger <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Mon, 2 Mar 2009 3:48 pm
Subject: Re: A new question re TJ/SH THE UVA MAGAZINE ARCHIVE ARTICLE
The referenced UVA Archives article by Ms. Maura Singleton, is a most "fair"
article that outlines the controversy pretty well. I might add a note or two
regarding the excellent article.
Up front, I may add that as Dr Foster's assistant, that the DNA test
eliminated completely the old ORIGINAL Callender claims that TJ fathered Tom
Woodson. DNA completely DENIED this claim in two different tests. The
Woodsons weren't happy with the first and asked that another Woodson
descendant be tested, he was, still NO match. Ken Burn's Jefferson series
was "taken in" and used this Woodson claim in his series. Judge Robert
Coolidge, most prominent in the series adamantly claiming descent from TJ,
died as a result of an accident and his daughter requested a grave spot at
the Monticello Cemetery (owned by TJ descendants), but it was denied due to
no proof and I must say that DNA proved this true.....NO match. Don't
suppose that Ken Burns could edit out all those false claims or at least
make a disclaimer before running the series on TV! NOW how about testing
William Hemings, son of Madison Hemings, whose DNA is in a grave in
Kansas....WHY not? Is Monticello not an eager researcher, where are their
suggestions to Hemings for a test?
The article notes Cinder Stanton's stance on the issue from believing "it
morally impossible" (she should have stuck with this), until she began to
look more closely at the Hemings oral claims. Wonder what she thinks of the
Woodson "oral" claims (Monticello does not recognize that Tom Woodson was
even a part of the Hemings family), even though THAT was the BIG Callender
CAMPAIGN LIE for over 200 years. Ellis and Burstein changed their belief
AFTER reading and "participating", in Ellis's case, the manipulated and
false headline in Nature, and his own false article there and in USNWR and
elsewhere, explained more fully in other posts.
The Carr family claims was the PRIMARY reason for Dr Foster to have the
test. When DNA eliminated them from ONLY ONE (Eston Hemings), then some said
the claims were proven wrong. This is garbage, only ONE was tested out of
all of Sally's children, therefore, the Carr claims could well be true for
those other children. With refusal of Hemings to test William we cannot even
state that Eston and Madison had the same father. Eston claimed descent from
Randolph (a Jefferson uncle) while Madison claimed descent from Thomas. Read
elsewhere whether we might not challenge anything from the Madison article.
It was Eston's descendant whose DNA blood confirmed their oral history
correct.....Randolph DNA...NOT Thomas. This was a VERY INAPPROPRIATE misuse
of research, in my opinion, WITHOUT informing Nature of this Eston claim as
I had suggested.
Those statements by Monticello that "the simplest answer", a Dr Foster
statement, adds up to possibly a strong likelihood that TD fathered one, and
possibly ALL of Sally's kids, is a BOLD and UNPROVEN statement by a
foundation dedicated to "accurate" and factual research, as Past Monticello
President, Dr Daniel Jordan, frequently reminded the public. It is NOT based
upon careful and full deep research and must be considered as biased
research as reported by Dr. Ken Wallenborn, who wrote the Minority Report
that was BANNED from the original study by then Monticello President, Dr.
Daniel Jordan. My vigorous complaint to the Chairman, Thomas Jefferson
Memorial (at that time) Foundation, of this most unprofessional handling of
BOTH SIDES of the study was duly noted and Dr Jordan then apologized to Dr
Wallenborn. Let you own imagination take over here now, thinking back to the
elimination of the word, Memorial, from the Thomas Jefferson Memorial
Foundation, and a policy of claiming not only one but possibly ALL of
Sally's kids were TJ's and form your own conclusions as to WHY this
controversy has reached this juncture.
I think Ms. Singleton's reference to a new generation of "ANTI-HERO"
historian's has taken over is most accurate. Based upon my careful and
detailed research this is a COMPLETELY CORRECT ASSESSMENT. I could name most
of them should the reader be interested. UVA History Professor Peter Onuf's
sponsorship of the 1992 Jefferson Legacies began the most recent drive in
this and this annual conference is alive today. Members of this "group" have
appeared at various campuses, including the Randolph-Macon Women's College
where historian there Prof. D'entrment labeled those of us pursuing a
balanced and truthful unbiased study as believers in the Flat Earth Policy,
and other derogatory names. Dr Foster was a member of the panel and did not
lift a finger to clarify the situation. YES, we do have those videos and
those from other institutions also, including the UVA gathering, Dr Foster
also present, moderated by NAACP Chairman, Julian Bond. Sitting in the
Monticello sponsored chair there I don't suppose that Prof. Onuf would
propose this latest "push" unless his sponsor agreed.
I agree with the author, when she mentions that what is actually known about
Sally Hemings could be placed on the back of an envelope (and I might
add....a SMALL one). The folk hero as depicted in TV, movies, plays, books,
magazines and any other media outlet for profit and notoriety people having
little knowledge of the situation and a BIG AGENDA, BUT tall on access to
the media and other PR and their desire to sensationalize the controversy.
Cinder Stanton's defense of Madison Hemings's word being "his bond" and
stating that "Hemings and Jefferson (which one), are their ancestors", is a
bit confusing. Madison said this, NOT Eston whose claims were "a Jefferson
uncle or nephew" meaning Randolph. Yes, I have a family letter to this
affect. Why didn't Madison's "BOND" hold up when he or his interviewer
stated falsely that he was named by Dolley Madison at his Monticello birth?
Which of these statements are we expected to believe.......I say NONE, until
we can get time to research EACH statement in detail as the one about his
naming. Where is Monticello's careful and continuing research in this
matter??
Demeaning Thomas Jefferson (without proof), is demeaning our founding
fathers and our own country's foundation. Like the old WW II slogan and
song, (yes, at 83 I do remember), "Let's remember Pearl Harbor"....the
ANT-HERO historians have taken over as the author reminds us. I challenge
REAL and careful historians to start "taking over" and exposing these
anti-hero historians and their unacceptable and unproven statements that our
students are reading. These students are our future and their history MUST
NOT be tainted by political correctness and historical revisionism by these
"ant-hero" "historians" that have taken over as the author reminds us.
I might remind all of those "anti-hero" historians, including Annette
Gordon-Reed and her admirer Professor Joseph Ellis, (see the dust cover of
her latest book), that the Thomas Jefferson Heritage Society
(www.tjheritage.org) has a standing challenge to debate "the other side" at
any time and any place. Mrs. Gordon-Reed and Professor Ellis please don't
claim, "NO time....must move on."
It is correct, as stated by the author, that Reverend Hamilton Pierson did
state: "Harriet II Hemings WAS NOT TJ's daughter" based upon an interview
with Edmund Bacon, TJ overseer. The John Hartwell Cocke, statements that
some writers have interpreted to mean that he knew what he was talking
about, BUT I did an exhaustive study of his two different letters and there
is NO truth to his statements as they indict TJ.
As the author mentions, I also can highly recommend Mrs. Burton's fine book,
"Jefferson Vindicated: Fallacies, Omissions and Contradictions in the
Hemings Genealogical Search." Stay tuned as there will be other books
forthcoming....the old saying that "Lies may get a head start and be long
down the line before TRUTH gets started, BUT "look out" when the truth does
get wound up and started." I might suggest that some may wish to keep
looking back over their shoulder.
Herb Barger
Thomas Jefferson Heritage Founder
Jefferson Family Historian
www.tjheritage.org
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of S. Corneliussen
Sent: Sunday, March 01, 2009 1:52 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [VA-HIST] A new question re TJ/SH
Mr. Kilby, people have indeed thought of the questions you're asking, and
hundreds more questions as well. It seems to me that you might want to read
Maura Singleton's fine controversy-summarizing article
(http://archives.uvamagazine.org/site/lookup.asp?c=esJNK1PIJrH&b=3083643)
from the Fall 2007 University of Virginia Magazine.
Steve Corneliussen
Poquoson, Virginia
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