Who is John Jefferson? This article covers everything that we know about Thomas Jefferson’s 3xgreat grandson.
John Jefferson is the 3xgreat grandson of the 3rd U.S. president Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings.
John died in 2021 at the age of 75 years. Thomas’ statue got removed from New York City Hall after officials voted unanimously for the statue’s banishment. The reason was due to the former president’s enslaver history.
John Jefferson, 3xgreat grandson of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings passed away. In 1998, his willingness to take a DNA test helped “change the course of scholarship around TJ and reunited his family w distant cousins who’d remained in the black community.” A brave soul. RIP. pic.twitter.com/Z6ppB0DMdn
— Andrew Davenport (@AM_Davenport) December 1, 2021
John Jefferson Obituary And Death Cause
John Jefferson died on 22 September 2021. As for the death cause, it remains a mystery.
MooreAndsNear, funeral home & crematory Inc., disclosed the information.
John lives on through his family including, his sister, Julia Westerinen, niece Dorothy, nephews, Jeff, Arthur, and Marshall, and great-nieces, Emily and Becky.
His Memorial Mass took place on 5 November 2021 at St. Patrick’s RC Church, 714 DeKalb Street, Norristown. Recitation of the Rosary and Legion of Mary Prayers was 9:30 AM at Church.
As for the Interment, it took place in Riverside Cemetery Co., West Norriton.
Thomas Jefferson statue removed from City Hall after 187 years https://t.co/kzEHeGmNb8 pic.twitter.com/NL06oPOxkt
— New York Post (@nypost) November 23, 2021
Who Is John Jefferson?
John Jefferson is the great-great-great-grandson of Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. president, and Sally Hemings, an enslaved woman.
The entire history of his lineage remained lost until his sister Julia researched their family ancestry in the 70s with the help of Fawn Brodie, an author who had written of his 3xgreat grandparents’ relationship.
In 1998, Dr. Eugene Foster got the opportunity to check the validity of the rumors of Jefferson and Hemings as he obtained John’s DNA sample. The doctor found a match between the DNAs of the male descendants of Thomas Jefferson’s uncle and John.
“Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered… History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present…” Orwellhttps://t.co/4SU7CGtbvi
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) November 23, 2021
This proof led to the change in the course of scholarship around Thomas Jefferson. It helped reunite his family with distant cousins whose ancestors remained in the black community. John was part of several Monticello family reunions.
There is a great deal of information on his lineage, but his educational qualifications and professional background remain a mystery. Nevertheless, we know a few things about him. He was born to the late William Magil and late Dorothy Annette (Weeks) Jefferson on 10 July 1946 in Philadelphia.
Before his death, he lived in Jeffersonville and was a former member of St. John’s Episcopal Church of Norristown and St. Patrick’s RC Church. Further, he was also a member of the Legion of Mary Brother House. Devoted to praying the rosary, he liked attending religious retreats at St. Joseph’s in the Hills of Malvern.
John Jefferson Wife
As for John Jefferson’s wife, it remains a mystery.
Whatsmore, we don’t even know if the guy was married or not. The funeral page didn’t mention the name of his wife or even child in the list of survivors. Further, John lived out of the spotlight.