In my dotage, I have learned to trust nothing to memory, but I recollect
that there may be a way to settle directly the question of Jefferson's
paternity of children in the Heming's line. Please double-underline the
word "may."

A few years ago, if my gray cells serve, there were news accounts of a
middle-school student who, on a field trip to Monticello, purloined a
ring containing strands of Jefferson's hair. Perhaps it was a mourning
ring. In any case, the ring was returned, and no harm done except to the
student's reputation, history grade, and "permanent record." I'm curious
to know just who keeps everyone's "permanent record," but I digress.

Presuming the hair is authentically Jefferson's--perhaps someone from
Monticello is in a position to address that very large presumption--the
strands contain something of his DNA. Not mitochondrial DNA from a
descendant, but a full set of Jefferson's twenty-three sets of
chromosomes with their DNA, preserved, one hopes, and possibly capable
of extraction without unjustifiable damage to the artifact. Or maybe
not. I suppose it depends on the medium and method used to hold the hair
in the setting.

My understanding is that the answer to the question of the DNA tests
conducted so far turns on the secondary source of the Jefferson family
DNA used. Supposing that I am not mistaken about that, and please don't
be shy to tell me if I am, it may be that a primary source of his DNA is
within reach of, at least, investigation.

If you are reminded of the premise of Michael Criton's "Jurassic
Park"--dinosaur DNA preserved in a mosquito trapped in fossil tree
sap--I confess that I am, too, and as quick to laugh as anyone at the
thought of what might be called  "Jefferson In Amber." Then again,
Criton's preservation premise is certified scientific--though not, of
course, the part about making new dinosaurs from old acids. The New York
Times earlier this year reported the partial extraction of Neanderthal
DNA from bones in a German museum or university. The DNA in the
Monticello ring should be somewhat younger than a Neanderthal's--perhaps
just 180 years old next July.

Wouldn't it be well if by then, and in the interest's of satisfying
people on all sides of the controversy, a stop could be put to the debate?

Dennis Montgomery
Williamsburg





qvarizona wrote:

>I agree, Anita, I, too, am learning.  Bonus of having such good input  is the  abundance of sources cited and clues provided to some fun research.  Alas, so much to learn, so little time.  --Joanne
>
>
>
>Anita Wills <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>  I find it refreshing that people can come on and voice their opinions pro and con. I am learning quite a bit from both sides.
>
>Anita
>
>
>-- "Lonny J. Watro" wrote:
>No, but I do believe that when Jefferson came home all his relatives came to
>his home to visit him. And probably didn't visit his home when he was away.
>(Because the only reason my mother visits my house when I'm away is to feed
>my cat) Since Jefferson had over see-ers he had no need to ask his family to
>come over while he was away, IMHO. So I can believe that Jefferson came home
>and said "Hey Uncle Fields, why don't you come on over for dinner now that I
>am home." That I do believe. And so you see that's why we can't say
>definitely who these children belong to. We can only speculate, IMHO.
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Paul Finkelman"
>
>To:
>Sent: Monday, December 05, 2005 2:12 PM
>Subject: TJ and Sally's kids
>
>
>
>
>>Sally Hemings only had children 9 months after she was in close
>>proximity to Jefferson; she never had children when she was not close to
>>Jefferson for more than 9 months.To believe your theory, you would have
>>to believe that whenever Thomas Jefferson was away from Monticello that
>>Sally Hemings remained celebate, but as soon as Thomas was around, she
>>immediately had sex with one of his relatives. I can see it now, TJ
>>arrived in Va after weeks or months in Philadelphia or Washington, and
>>immediately contacts his Uncle Fields and say, "hey, Uncle Fields, come
>>on over and visit Sally, now that I am home." Do you really believe
>>this? If you believe this, then I am sure you would be interested in
>>the bridge I have for sale.
>>
>>But, assume you are right. Sally is Jefferson's half-sister-in-law. No
>>one doubts that Sally is the daughter of John Wayles and Bette Hemings.
>>So, Thomas owns his half-sister-in-law. Furthermore, if the children
>>were fathered by TJ's male relatives then they are his neices and
>>nephews or cousins. So, both by blood (through the father) and by
>>marriage (through his marraige to Martha Wayles Skelton) Sally's
>>children are his relatives. So, here we have a man who owns his double
>>relatives as slaves.
>>
>>Now maybe that is the role model for Senator Allen!
>>
>>--
>>Paul Finkelman
>>Chapman Distinguished Professor of Law
>>University of Tulsa College of Law
>>3120 East 4th Place
>>Tulsa, OK 74104-3189
>>
>>918-631-3706 (office)
>>918-631-2194 (fax)
>>
>>[log in to unmask]
>>
>>
>>
>>Kathleen Much wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>>Whoa, whoa, whoa. PLEASE don't let us rehash the Jefferson/Hemings
>>>claims and counter-claims. For the record, the original headline
>>>accusing Thomas Jefferson of siring Sally Hemings's children was NOT
>>>supported by evidence in the _Nature_ article itself and was retracted
>>>by the journal. I recommend that anyone wishing to weigh in on the
>>>subject read the whole article first.
>>>
>>>All anyone can say from the DNA evidence is that SOME Jefferson male,
>>>possibly Thomas or his nephew, sired ONE of Sally's children. Beyond
>>>that, all is speculation.
>>>
>>>Now let's return the list to other historical topics.
>>>
>>>Kathleen Much
>>>The Book Doctor
>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
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>>
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