How Enslaved People Were Living
The room also highlighted the difference between the Hemings’ lives as slaves, versus that of the others. Gardiner Hallock, director of the restoration for Jefferson’s home, noted that “the discovery gives us a sense of how enslaved people were living. Some of Sally’s children may have been born in this room.” “It is important because it shows Sally as a human being- a mother, daughter and sister – and brings out the relationships in her life.”
Whilst the paradox of liberty rests with Jefferson, in that a man who cried out for the freedom of all not only kept slaves but kept one as a sexual slave. Not the most flattering secret to expose, particularly one regarding a U.S. President! It is speculated that Sally’s decision to return from Paris was owing to the fact that Jefferson promised the children she bore would be free once they came of age (21 years old). Perhaps not surprisingly, the Hemings were the only family that Jefferson freed among the slaves he kept (aside from three very lucky others).
Sally’s Room
Taking heed of Jefferson’s grandson’s clues, the archaeologists proceeded to demolish the men’s bathrooms, sieving the dirt for fragments and clues to the mystery. Their digging was not for nothing; they eventually discovered Sally Hemings’ 14-foot living quarters. Among their discoveries were original brick floors from the early 1800s, a brick hearth and fireplace, as well as a fixture which was a suitable structure to hold a stove.
However, the point which really flabbergasted archaeologists was the room’s vicinity to Jefferson’s private bedroom. It was located directly adjacent. It seems that there was more truth to the controversy than initially imagined, a dark secret which, after over 170 years, was finally to see the light.
What It Means
Historians and archaeologists alike see the proximity of Hemings’ room to that of Jefferson’s as a tell-tale sign that he indeed was the father of her children. The discovery of the room, as well as the results discovered in the DNA almost certainly provide solid proof of their intimate relationship. What this meant was that a man who supposedly upheld justice in his position as President, was just as corrupt and hid secrets as any other man.
Fraser Neiman, director of archaeology at Monticello remarked “this room is a real connection to the past.” He went on to say that as they dug deeper, “we are uncovering and discovering and we’re finding many, many artefacts.” The room did not only uncover their secret, but also filled in the gaps for many historians, answering questions which had been asked time and time again, yet not answered.
A Window into the Past?
Uncovering Sally Hemings’ room also revealed that she enjoyed a standard of living well above that of the other slaves who lived at Monticello. Regardless, she was still a slave, and was treated thus, though there were some indicators which shed light on her own living conditions. Historians note that Hemings’ room was dark and dingy, with no natural light allowed in; there were no windows whatsoever, so the conditions would have been uncomfortable.
Some historians have mentioned the possibility that building the bathroom above her quarters was calculated; it was an attempt to cover up Sally and her secret, as it was considered a great insult, not only to Jefferson’s legacy, but to her own. However, following her death, her story was to be known to all.
Revealing the Truth
Following its discovery, historians and the committee of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation sought to restore Sally Hemings’ room for public display, with its expected open date to be during 2018. The space is designed to exhibit with furniture of the period as well as artefacts excavated on the property; such pieces include fine ceramics and bone toothbrushes!
Where previously the secrets of the estate were kept under lock and key, the $35-million Mountaintop Project at Monticello has made a bold effort to create more transparency; to tell the stories of both the free and enslaved people who inhabited the estate. In recent years, tours have been offered which focus solely on the Hemings family, with a reception which has been overwhelmingly positive.