Thomas Jefferson needs no introduction. He was one of America’s Founding Fathers and led the prosecution for the Declaration of Independence from Britain. It is also well known that he exponentially increased the landmass of America by purchasing Louisiana. However, what about his personal life? Who were his parents, wife, children and siblings? All this and much more is presented below.
Thomas Jefferson’s bio
Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13th , 1743 in the town of Shadwell, Virginia. Raised around his beloved Shadwell, he attended several schools including the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. The future president also studied various subjects such as mathematics, science, history and philosophy under the guidance of several experienced tutors. Jefferson then studied law with the renowned Professor George Wythe and received his license in 1767. Thomas Jefferson began his law practice in 1767 and practiced for three years before entering the civil service.
His first taste of public office was in 1769 when he was elected a member of the Virginia legislature. After this humble debut, he served as Governor of Virginia (1779–1781), United States Secretary to France (1785–1789), Vice President of the United States (1790–1793) States (1797–1801), and President of the United States of America ( 1801 – 1809). Jefferson believed in several ideals and pursued them vigorously during his lifetime. This includes the freedom and equality of all people as well as freedom of religion. A native of Virginia, he was an early advocate of separation of the state from the church.
parents and siblings
Thomas Jefferson came from a family of 12. His father’s name was Peter Jefferson while his mother’s name was Jane Randolph. His father was a planter, surveyor and plantation owner. Senior Jefferson made sure his son received a formal education, although he was self-taught. Jefferson’s father died in 1758 and subsequently inherited 5,000 acres of land. However, he had no home on this land, instead deciding to establish his residence on the top of a local mountain. The statesman also continued his father’s farming business, growing various types of crops, flowers and sprouts. In terms of siblings, Jefferson had six sisters and three brothers. Their names were Lucy, Jane, Martha, Anna, Mary, Elizabeth, Randolph, Peter Field and Peter Thomas.
Thomas Jefferson’s family (wife and children)
Thomas Jefferson’s love life is a controversial aspect of his legacy. The famous statesman first married his third cousin, Martha Wayles Skelton, in January 1772. Skelton’s father was a wealthy land and slave owner known as John Wayles. As such, her husband received many slaves and land as part of her dowry. Jefferson’s marriage to Martha lasted ten years. During this time she pleased her husband with her expertise in music and needlework, as well as her reading habit. Martha finally passed away on the 6th of September 1782. Before her death, she is said to have made her husband a deathbed promise that he would never marry again.
Thomas Jefferson’s affair with Sally Hemings
After the death of his first wife, ThomasJefferson had a relationship with an African American slave named Sally Hemings. Hemings was one of six children born to a relationship between a slave woman, Elizabeth Hemings, and her owner, John Wayles (who would later become Jefferson’s father-in-law). Sally was therefore the paternal half-sister of Jefferson’s wife, Martha Wayles Skelton. Jefferson’s affair with Sally lasted several years and produced six children. Four of these six children survived to adulthood. They are daughter, Harriet and sons – Beverly, Madison and Eston. The Hemingses received special privileges in the Jefferson household. Her father freed them all. He freed Harriet and Beverly while he was alive, while freeing Madison and Eston in his will.