ONLY CONTEMPORARY MENTION OF JEFFERSON’S CHILDREN WITH HIS SLAVE, SALLY HEMINGS

[JEFFERSON, Thomas (1743-1826) and HEMINGS, Sarah “Sally” (ca. 1773-1835)]. Acts Passed at a General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Begun and Held at the Capitol, in the City of Richmond… Richmond: Thomas Ritchie, 1827-29. 3 volumes bound in one, 8vo (223 x 133 mm). Contemporary full calf, spine with two black gilt morocco lettering labels (including an ownership label of George Perkins; binding edgeworn, soiled, scuffed, text toned, foxed, occasionally soiled, Perkins’ pencil signature on fp along with an ink ownership stamp of Blakey Atty at Law). FIRST EDITION OF THIS TITLE IN WHICH JEFFERSON FREED HIS CHILDREN FROM SALLY HEMINGS IN HIS WILL. On p. 127 of the first section is an act allowing “certain persons of colour, emancipated by the will of Thomas Jefferson, to remain in the Commonwealth.” The people mentioned in this act are Joe Fosset (Sally’s cousin), Burwell Colbert (Sally’s nephew and butler to Jefferson), John Hemmings [sic], Madison and Eston Hemmings [sic] (the three Hemings are the children of Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson).