She had children without apparently knowing who the father of same were. Res ipsa loquitur. "Oral history isn't worth the paper it is written on." JD Southmayd. JD Southmayd a/k/a J South In a message dated 5/16/2008 7:23:57 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: I think what is upsetting here for some folks is that while Sally Hemings may loom larger in the imagination -- even to the point of being "semi-fictional" as you say -- than the hard historical record warrants, there was, in fact, such a living person: she lived as a slave at Monticello, a woman, and apparently had a number of children, she was a mother. We know little about her beyond that that everyone on the list could agree on, but I for one consider it uncharitable and ill-mannered to describe someone who I don't know with such perjorative and even cruel terminology. David Kiracofe David Kiracofe History Tidewater Community College Chesapeake Campus 1428 Cedar Road Chesapeake, Virginia 23322 757-822-5136 >>> "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]> 05/15/08 10:49 PM >>> What I find intriguing is how anyone can get upset over an opinion about a semi-fictional character such as Sally Hemings. We have those who can no longer bear to risk further shocking language and they abandon the list. We have other self-appointed censors who secretly call the ListManager and encourage him to bounce the offender. If this list had a rule that everyone had to know what they were talking about before they contributed a post, that could cause serious deletion. Richard E. Dixon Editor, Jefferson Notes Thomas Jefferson Heritage Society 4122 Leonard Drive Fairfax, Va 22030 703-691-0770 fax 703-691-0978 ______________________________________ To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001) ______________________________________ To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html