Herb, I'll do the best I can to explain why I believe that TJ could be father to some of Sally's children. First of all, perhaps ten or more years ago, I read Fawn Brodie, and compared some of her notes to my copy of Jefferson's Farm Book and Jefferson's Garden Book. I was fascinated by the fact that the Hemings families had such strong oral traditions. If it were anyone but TJ, that would be enough evidence. But, this is one of our Founding Fathers, one who was assumed to esteem virtues highly. Well, that would easily explaiin why he never acknowledged his children during his lifetime, and perhaps a reason why the truth came out later in life for his Hemings offspring. Now, let's look at the scientific information. I think it is pretty well conceded that TJ was available to impregnate at the right times. And, there is the DNA confirmation for a Jefferson paternity to confirm that family's oral tradition. Would one family preserve an oral tradition that was right on the money, yet we want to dis the other family's oral tradition. If anything, the affirmation of one of these oral traditions makes the likelihood of the truthfulness of the other much more likely. And, then there is that census survey in the book by Shannon Lanier in which your opinion is clearly provided. You said the list was not signed by the census taker, but haven't explained away the signature by the clerk of the court. Which leads me to the conclusion that public officials in Chillicothe, did not question the accuracy of the statement and seemingly accepted at face value. But, I've said this before, maybe on this forum, but the fact that I have lived in Virginia my adult life and have had experiences with "virtuous" Virginia males, that I find the story totally believable, and wonder why it is even doubted. Anne Anne Pemberton [log in to unmask] http://www.erols.com/apembert http://www.educationalsynthesis.org ______________________________________ To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html