Did Jefferson father at least one of Sally Heming's children

[_gramps]

I was listening to Dr. Peterson's interview with Dan Wotherspoon recently. Dr. Peterson thought it highly unlikely that Jefferson fathered at least one of Sally Heming's children. I thought it would be interesting to see what people on this board thought about this matter.

What say you?

[_gramps]

I may have overstated Dr. Peterson's opinion on this matter. Apologies if so.

But, I would love to hear him develop his ideas on this a little more thoroughly then he did in the interview.

[_Chap]

It is very unlikely that a man with pretensions with respectability in his community would ever allow himself to think of a female domestic in sexual terms. Even less so, of course, if she had a sister working in the house.

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

http://www.monticello.org/site/plantati ... ef-account

Shortly after the DNA test results were released in November 1998, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation formed a research committee consisting of nine members of the foundation staff, including four with Ph.D.s. In January 2000, the committee reported its finding that the weight of all known evidence - from the DNA study, original documents, written and oral historical accounts, and statistical data - indicated a high probability that Thomas Jefferson was the father of Eston Hemings, and that he was perhaps the father of all six of Sally Hemings' children listed in Monticello records - Harriet (born 1795; died in infancy); Beverly (born 1798); an unnamed daughter (born 1799; died in infancy); Harriet (born 1801); Madison (born 1805); and Eston (born 1808).

I wonder, if perhaps Mr. Peterson's latent Mormon-centric racism compels him to deny what is apparent to others?

V/R
Dr. Cam

[_gramps]

Hummmm, no one seems to be agreeing with Dr. Peterson, as yet.

I am looking forward to hearing why he doesn't think it was likely.

I'd hate to think Dr. Cam has hit on something.

[_marg]

Is Dan P ever right?

[_Chap]

Is Dan P ever right?

I hear that he is pretty much in the right when he gives classes on the grammar of classical Arabic.

[_Spurven Ten Sing]

Fools! If you think Peterson is wrong, it is only because you don't understand the position. Peterson has observed this to be the case.

[_MrStakhanovite]

I recall a few years ago watching a presentation on Book-TV where a Jefferson scholar said the DNA evidence was more strongly linked to Jefferson's brother, but I don't remember any details.

[_gramps]

I recall a few years ago watching a presentation on Book-TV where a Jefferson scholar said the DNA evidence was more strongly linked to Jefferson's brother, but I don't remember any details.

Yeah, there are some other possibilities, perhaps. It isn't a slam dunk, in my opinion. I thought I would post up some more stuff after a bunch more votes come in. And let people consider them.

I am sure Dr. Peterson may have some ideas, as well.

Though so far, it is yes all the way.