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Jefferson's Daughters: Three Sisters, White and Black, in a Young America

Catherine Kerrison

3.58 · Rating details · 2,036 ratings · 428 reviews

The remarkable untold story of Thomas Jefferson's three daughters - two white and free, one black and enslaved - and the divergent paths they forged in a newly independent America.

Thomas Jefferson had three daughters: Martha and Maria by his wife, Martha Wayles Jefferson, and Harriet by his slave Sally Hemings. In Jefferson's Daughters, Catherine Kerrison, a scholar of The remarkable untold story of Thomas Jefferson's three daughters - two white and free, one black and enslaved - and the divergent paths they forged in a newly independent America.

Thomas Jefferson had three daughters: Martha and Maria by his wife, Martha Wayles Jefferson, and Harriet by his slave Sally Hemings. In Jefferson's Daughters, Catherine Kerrison, a scholar of early American and women's history, recounts the remarkable journey of these three women - and how their struggle to define themselves reflects both the possibilities and the limitations that resulted from the American Revolution.

Although the three women shared a father, the similarities end there. Martha and Maria received a fine convent school education while they lived with their father during his diplomatic posting in Paris - a hothouse of intellectual ferment whose celebrated salonnières are vividly brought to life in Kerrison's narrative. Once they returned home, however, the sisters found their options limited by the laws and customs of early America.

Harriet Hemings followed a different path. She escaped slavery - apparently with the assistance of Jefferson himself. Leaving Monticello behind, she boarded a coach and set off for a decidedly uncertain future.

For this groundbreaking triple biography, Kerrison has uncovered never-before-published documents written by the Jefferson sisters when they were in their teens, as well as letters written by members of the Jefferson and Hemings families. She has interviewed Hemings family descendants (and, with their cooperation, initiating DNA testing) and searched for possible descendants of Harriet Hemings.

The eventful lives of Thomas Jefferson's daughters provide a unique vantage point from which to examine the complicated patrimony of the American Revolution itself. The richly interwoven story of these three strong women and their fight to shape their own destinies sheds new light on the ongoing movement toward human rights in America - and on the personal and political legacy of one of our most controversial Founding Fathers. ...more

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Hardcover, 425 pages

Published January 2nd 2018 by Ballantine Books

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Oct 27, 2018 David Eppenstein rated it it was ok

Shelves: history, biography, american-history

This book is either a biographical history of Thomas Jefferson's three daughters, 2 white and 1 black, or a commentary on the plight of women in the late 18th century and early 19th. Whatever it is it's a disappointment. As a history of these three women there is plenty of source material upon which to track the lives of TJ's two surviving white daughters, Martha and Marie. As for the daughter TJ had with Sally Hemings named Harriet there is virtually nothing of evidentiary value from which to t This book is either a biographical history of Thomas Jefferson's three daughters, 2 white and 1 black, or a commentary on the plight of women in the late 18th century and early 19th. Whatever it is it's a disappointment. As a history of these three women there is plenty of source material upon which to track the lives of TJ's two surviving white daughters, Martha and Marie. As for the daughter TJ had with Sally Hemings named Harriet there is virtually nothing of evidentiary value from which to trace her life while living at Monticello and nothing at all after she left TJ's mountain. As a discourse on the plight of women of this time period these three could hardly be more atypical of women this period.

The book begins in the early married life of Thomas Jefferson and details his relationship with his much beloved wife. It details the difficulties his wife had with childbearing and her ultimate death from this hazardous chore of early American women. TJ had 3 white daughters but the youngest, Lucy, did not survive beyond early childhood and died while TJ was in France. When TJ went to France he brought his oldest daughter, Martha, and left his younger daughter with relatives as it was thought she was too young to make such a demanding voyage. While in France TJ had Martha enrolled in a convent school where she would be joined by her younger sister a few years later. At this school these girls received an education far beyond what was usually experienced by girls in America. Also receiving the benefit of learning and experience far beyond the usual was Sally Hemings who was tasked with accompanying young Marie on her trip to join her father in France. These three girls were living a life of remarkable advantage that even they probably didn't realize and a good deal of it was documented primarily in letters that have survived. It was in France that TJ began his relationship with the very young Sally and it was his promise to her that her children would be freed from slavery at age 21 that induced Sally to voluntarily return to the U.S. instead of remaining in France and claiming her freedom there.

Upon TJ's return to the U.S. Martha and Marie assumed the expected life of women in that era and Sally returned to slavery at Monticello but in a much privileged station far easier than that of the other Jefferson slaves. Sally had several children by TJ but only one daughter, Harriet. Harriet also enjoyed a privileged childhood for a girl born in slavery but that changed at age 14 when TJ put her to work in his textile factory. The lives of the Martha and Marie are easily tracked but there is nearly no substantial record of Harriet's life beyond what might be mentioned in Jefferson's Farm Book which recorded slave information but only as an accounting record. This book recorded the allotment of clothing and food and recorded births, deaths, etc. The lives of Martha and Marie are contrasted with that of their slave sister but here is where the history fails. As nothing of substance is known about Harriet the author resorts to assumptions and speculation. When such assumptions and speculations are based upon reasonable factual information then this can be acceptable but only up to a point. In this book the author has abused the reader's tolerance. Harriet's entire adult life as reported by this author is a total fantasy based on almost nothing but the statement of her brother decades after Harriet leaves Monticello.

As promised TJ allowed Sally's children to leave Monticello upon reaching age 21. However, because of Virginia legislation TJ did not technically free these children as to do so would have required him to admit paternity which he wasn't about to do. When Harriet left Monticello TJ gave her $50 and a ticket to Philadelphia. Once Harriet boarded the Philadelphia stage all record of her existence ended. Harriet's brother Beverely was living in Washington at this time and the author assumes Harriet went there instead of Philadelphia. This might be a fair assumption but the author then goes further in constructing a life for Harriet in Washington instead of Philadelphia or some other city. Many years later Beverely stated that Harriet had successfully passed for white and married a white man and had a family. Beverely, however, would not reveal Harriet's married name or any other information about his sister. The reason for this was because none of Sally's children were technically freed by TJ. When Harriet and Beverly left Monticello TJ recorded them as runaway slaves even though he assisted them in their departure. Had Harriet been discovered as black she would have been returned to slavery and her children would also have been regarded as slaves as the condition of slavery followed the mother's line. Because of this issue it would have been necessary for Harriet to sever all ties with her family, Jefferson, Monticello or Virginia. Harriet would have needed to create and entirely new identity in order protect herself and any children she may have had. Harriet left Monticello in 1821 and the Civil War was 40 years in the future so her children were definitely at risk. That the author was not able to find any documentary evidence of Harriet in Washington was not surprising. What is surprising is to think that Harriet stayed in a city so close to Virginia and its risks of being discovered there. At this point in the book the author launches in to a lengthy discussion of race relations, the issues involved in "passing", and the difficulties for women in this period being able to support themselves outside of marriage or as widows.

This book is well written and there is a lot of interesting information but it seems unfocused. The amount of speculation almost makes this book a work of fiction as it relates to Harriet Hemings so it is a poor history. The information about the lives of women at this time is interesting but Martha and Marie Jefferson are very poor examples of the women of this time. Both these ladies received an elite education and enjoyed the distinction and notoriety of being the daughters of Thomas Jefferson. Both of these women then embraced typical domesticity and did nothing with their educations or their lives except to be wives and mothers. When TJ died and his debts impoverished the surviving Martha it was only at this point that she realized that her education was wasted on her. It seems that TJ, the man of the people, raised daughters that were snobs and too spoiled and privileged to make a living if they had to. That seems to be an issue for this author, that women were prevented from making a living and I think that is true but there are other examples of women in this same time that did manage to accomplish things. I was surprised that neither Martha nor Marie ever started a school in Virginia for girls but apparently the idea never occurred to them or it was deemed an unacceptable endeavor. Sad. However, to base a discussion on the plight of early 19th century women on the lives of Martha and Marie Jefferson seems woefully incomplete and then to use the unknown life of Harriet Hemings as a platform to discuss slavery, race, and the perils of trying to "pass" as white does seem to go a bit too far and stretches credibility to an extreme. ...more

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Nov 02, 2017 TammyJo Eckhart rated it it was amazing

Catherine Kerrison has a difficult task in this book. She wants to tell us about the three daughters that Founding Father, Thomas Jefferson "raised" to adulthood. I say "raised" because as you continue reading you discover just how little direct contact he often had with his daughters, particularly Harriet, who was born into slavery via her mother, Sally Hemings. Hemings had been promised freedom for her children when they turned 21 years old but Jefferson's gendered attitudes and belief in raci Catherine Kerrison has a difficult task in this book. She wants to tell us about the three daughters that Founding Father, Thomas Jefferson "raised" to adulthood. I say "raised" because as you continue reading you discover just how little direct contact he often had with his daughters, particularly Harriet, who was born into slavery via her mother, Sally Hemings. Hemings had been promised freedom for her children when they turned 21 years old but Jefferson's gendered attitudes and belief in racial inequalities resulted in her never being given legal documents to protect her freed status. Instead Harriet had to pass as white and thus disappeared from historical records to protect herself and her children. Kerrison has a good chapter walking us through her look into every type of record she could to try and find out what happened to Harriet and it is a good example for wouldbe historians to understand. History is not easy to construct if one is not of the most privileged group. While there is no doubt that compared to other slaves Jefferson owned the Hemings children were treated better, they were still treated as his slaves because they were.

Jefferson's daughter, Maria, leaves behind more records of her life yet because she was not the chosen companion of her father, we do not have as much as we do from the older daughter, Martha, that's I'll write about in the next paragraph. Maria comes across as a very different personality though how much of that reflects innate differences versis how they were raised and how much contact they had with their father. Maria did marry and have children but she died relatively young. Even though Jefferson claimed her death touched him, given the information that Kerrison shares his grief felt weak to me.

The daughter Jefferson was closest to, Martha, was the one whom we know most about because she functioned in many ways as "first lady" in the family and in his political career. Martha's personality seems to change dramatically from her early life in America to her years in France to her return to America. At first, we might hope she's learned to see all humans as human from her years in a convent but records about her life back at her father's and then her plantation show she thoroughly bought into the philosophy underlying slavery and enforced it.

At times the text is challenging to follow. If the chapters had been laid out one sister and then another it would have been clearer to follow perhaps but the text is more chronologically arranged. The switching between sisters' experiences and describing the world they live in feels overwhelming at times. I believe their experiences could have been better differentiated at times to help a layperson understand more easily.

Even as a historian who has studied gender and slavery, this book was emotionally challenging to read. It should be difficult to read and Kerrison has done a good job of not toning down the realities. ...more

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Apr 24, 2018 Lois rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own-digital-copy, historical-interest-to-read, african-american-historical, non-fiction, biography, historical, slavery-non-fiction, non-fiction-to-read, poc-pov-char-or-peripheral-char, books-i-read-in-2018

I can not reccommend this book. In fact I'm somewhat shocked this was even printed in 2018. The information included is dated, inaccurate, and slavery apologist in tone.

This biography while extremely approachable is heavily and not respectfully edited in respect to chattel slavery. This biography includes 2 white women who exploited enslaved peoples and one enslaved person. The enslaved person is presented as a labor exempt 'worker'. If an author is too fragile to acknowledge that enslaved peopl I can not reccommend this book. In fact I'm somewhat shocked this was even printed in 2018. The information included is dated, inaccurate, and slavery apologist in tone.

This biography while extremely approachable is heavily and not respectfully edited in respect to chattel slavery. This biography includes 2 white women who exploited enslaved peoples and one enslaved person. The enslaved person is presented as a labor exempt 'worker'. If an author is too fragile to acknowledge that enslaved peoples were never 'workers' it doesn't bode well for the text. The white women are never once clearly identified as slave owners.

I know very little about the everyday life, personal thoughts, expectations, customs and manners of southern white chattel-slave owning women during this time period so that's interesting. The clothing, education and socialization expectations are all new and a fascinating addition to what I know about British and French women of comparable class and social standing. The featured exchanges between Martha and her contemporaries at her French Boarding School over their lifetimes is enlightening.

Ms Kerrison mentions Annette Gordon-Reed's groundbreaking research into The Hemings Family with great respect but seems to use the facts provided therein minimally and to flat effect. Gone is the verbose richness and detail of setting which highlight the recounting of the histories of Martha and Maria Jefferson and their families/contemporaries. There seems to be a bare bones, almost outline approach with facts connected but barely fleshed out with appropriate period detail. Not many facts are known about any of these women and their lives but a much richer narrative is created for Martha and Maria.

Also as this is published in 2018 by a Professor of History and Women & Gender Studies, I expected the current verbiage of 'enslaved peoples', which is now considered moderately standard in academia. Those expectations were in vain. Worse yet Kerrison actually adds the title 'slave' to various enslaved peoples and never once the title 'slave owner' in referencing the multiple slave owning white people in this book. Example: 'Slave Isaac Jefferson...' Whereas Thomas Jefferson is never once referred to as 'Slave Owner Thomas Jefferson...'

While this treatment of enslaved peoples is not uncommon in historians who heavily study white 'slave owners', it's still blatantly biased and a racist treatment of enslaved peoples. There exist centuries of historical precedent to ignore, dismiss and downplay the evils of chattel slavery in biographies of slave exploiting white people. This text includes no mention of the methods white women used to exploit enslaved labor nor typical punishments enacted by white women towards enslaved people, especially those in the house. The author tries to insulate Martha and Maria from any hint of the exploitation that made up their normal daily lives. They exploited enslaved peoples who they also held in captivity for their labor, this is never even indirectly addressed. It's bizarre. If I'm reading about this period in the UK about women of comparable class the roles of servants would be prominent as well as the names of personal attendants.

This lack results in the inclusion of inaccurate information about the lives and skills of Martha and Maria. For example it's highly doubtful Martha or Maria had more than a theoretical knowledge of cooking and household management as we understand these chores today. Household/exploited (slave) labor management would largely have been handled first by Betty Hemings and then likely by Sally. White wives and daughters on plantations like these planned menus and read aloud recipes to enslaved women, who already knew the recipes by heart.

White women who had that much exploited labor at their disposal across multiple plantations didn't 'do' much of anything. That is, after all, the main purpose of stealing, oppressing and exploiting whole families of people-a desire to NOT labor yourself. These women didn't labor beyond child birth. They didn't suffer want or privation no matter how strained their circumstances. The system of forced labor that was chattel slavery existed expressly so white women of this class could have no real expectations of labor either mental or physical.

These women weren't even responsible for their own kids. They didn't breastfeed, change diapers, stay up at night with unsleeping babies/toddlers/kids and would only have been minimally involved even in the care of sick children. Enslaved women would have provided the vast majority of the care and discipline for Martha's large brood of kids. None of this is mentioned or detailed.

The narratives of enslaved peoples in the US feature white women directly oppressing enslaved peoples, especially women working in the house. White women were often instigators of slave punishments, the sale of individuals away from their families and the sale of enslaved children fathered by white men. These white women had an active, not passive nor spectator role during this time period. This well documented history is completely missing from this narrative with the exception of single story in which a daughter of Martha personally whips an enslaved women.

These facts are left out because the author wishes to distance Martha and Maria Jefferson from their harmful and exploitative behaviors. These women lived and breathed exploitation and oppression. Biographers must effectively place their subjects in their appropriate historical place and time. Ms Kerrison has published multiple non-fiction histories/texts on the lives, expectations, customs, education and hobbies of southern slave owning white women during this time period. Clearly she is aware of the role these women played in slavery, that she would choose to edit that from a biography about white female slave owners is concerning. This unfortunately calls into question the validity of all of the information provided in this text, as it clearly is heavily edited to reflect the author's own bias, prejudices and racism. ...more

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Oct 11, 2017 Biblio Files (takingadayoff) rated it it was amazing

Thomas Jefferson had three daughters, two with his wife Martha, and one with his slave, Sally Hemings. Jefferson's Daughters looks at how the daughters were raised, their education, upbringing, expectations, and how they fared in adulthood.

Although I was aware that Jefferson had children with Sally Hemings, I did not know that Hemings was actually a half sister of his deceased wife - they had the same father. Sally Hemings' mother also probably had a white father, so Sally was, by all accounts, Thomas Jefferson had three daughters, two with his wife Martha, and one with his slave, Sally Hemings. Jefferson's Daughters looks at how the daughters were raised, their education, upbringing, expectations, and how they fared in adulthood.

Although I was aware that Jefferson had children with Sally Hemings, I did not know that Hemings was actually a half sister of his deceased wife - they had the same father. Sally Hemings' mother also probably had a white father, so Sally was, by all accounts, fair skinned and straight haired. Still, this was no love match. Sally was a slave and Jefferson treated her and her children as slaves. He made some concessions, such as allowing them to be house servants rather than field hands, but he was hardly the proud father. In fact, he was embarrassed when it became common knowledge that he was fathering children with a slave. The fact that he did not respond to the public accusations lets us know that it was not considered acceptable behavior and that Jefferson himself was well aware of that.

Sally had some leverage with Jefferson, though. She had been with the Jefferson family in Paris when he was the Ambassador to France and she learned French, and more important, that if she stayed in France instead of returning to Virginia with the family, she would be a free woman. Instead, she bargained with Jefferson, who apparently wanted to continue the relationship with the sixteen year old. He agreed that any children she had with him would be freed when they reached adulthood. She decided to trust him and returned with the family to the States.

Jefferson never treated the children as anything other than slaves, allotting them the usual rations and clothing allowances, not educating them, and when they became adults, he didn't actually sign over their freedom, rather he allowed them to "escape." To legally free them would have been to acknowledge paternity, which he would not do.

Harriet Hemings, half sister to the Jefferson girls, saw her brothers set out as free black men, and how difficult that was for them. She could only imagine how difficult it would be for a free black woman. So she decided her best bet was to pass as white. Evidently, she was able to do so. Kerrison's account at the end of the book of how she approached the puzzle of where Harriet went and who she became is a fascinating study in detection and genealogy.

Excellent study of how women in an upper class American household at the turn of the 18th century lived. ...more

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Sep 25, 2017 Rachel rated it it was amazing

Shelves: vine-amazon, cozy-fall-read, leisurely-reading, historical-books

This is a definite must-read for those who likes to read history, especially American history. Ever since I visited Monticello, I have been fascinated with Martha Jefferson and Sally Hemmings. This book even shared more details of Maria Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson's younger daughter, whom nothing has been written much about. I will admit that it wasn't till this past year that I realized that Thomas Jefferson had 2 daughters, since not much was mentioned about Maria. I didn't even know he had a This is a definite must-read for those who likes to read history, especially American history. Ever since I visited Monticello, I have been fascinated with Martha Jefferson and Sally Hemmings. This book even shared more details of Maria Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson's younger daughter, whom nothing has been written much about. I will admit that it wasn't till this past year that I realized that Thomas Jefferson had 2 daughters, since not much was mentioned about Maria. I didn't even know he had a third daughter till I read this book.

This is incredibly fascinating. It is a historical research, that is packed full of information about the three daughters that I am looking at history with a renewed interest. This is not a novel, by any means. It embraces everything, especially the issue of slavery and Jefferson's descendants who were born in slavery but left, passing for white.

This is a heavily researched book on Jefferson and his impact on his daughters, the people around him and while the rest of the nation celebrates his heritage as a founding father, this book exposes his human flaws in the fact that he doesn't think his daughters have a voice in the new country. It is an incredible read and one that I think would appeal to new readers to history as well as those who do research for a living. Kerrison did a fine job of tying all the ends together in her research, while admitting there is more that is left to the ages because she doesn't have all the information. What she has here is a great start, and definitely more information regarding Jefferson's daughters, who ensured his comforts in his old age and made sure his legacies continued.

I personally think this is my favorite book so far on the Jefferson women. I am enlightened now as to what his third daughter had endured when she left the plantation to be an independent woman. While Harriet still remains shrouded in the veils of history, Kerrison did her best to explain what Harriet had to endure as a slave, as an unrecognized daughter of Jefferson and what might have happened to her once she left the plantation with her older brother. Kerrison also devoted time to that time period where slaves would try to pass for white especially if they were lighter-skinned. It covers a sensitive subject that still resonates even today, 200 years after the Revolution.

I would definitely recommend this book to everyone who is interested in history. ...more

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Mar 27, 2018 Susan rated it it was amazing

A well written biography of Thomas Jefferson's three daughters, Martha, Maria, and Harriet, the first two born to his wife, the third born to his slave, Sally Hemings. Martha has already been the subject of a full-length biography, but Maria, who died as a young woman, and Harriet, who disappeared into obscurity after being freed, have been given less attention. Much of the book is devoted to bringing the latter two out of the shadows. Kerrison looks at Maria, who has suffered in comparison with ...more

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Nov 30, 2017 Cherei rated it it was amazing

Shelves: bestseller

I read this book slowly.. as I wanted time to research a few items that I'd read. OMG! The author outdid herself. This has to be one of the best researched novels of Jefferson's daughters. If you've read, "First Daughter".. then, this book is a MUST read. You will gain insights that you would not have even thought of prior to reading this story. It's a standalone novel.. you do not need to do prior reading.. but, it does help you understand the Jefferson family and their role in forming this cou ...more

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Feb 23, 2018 Cheryl James rated it liked it · review of another edition

Great history story regarding Jefferson's daughters and his life. Much history on the white daughters, more speculation on the black daughter, but at any rate I enjoyed the story.

Audio Version ...more

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Jul 04, 2018 Louise rated it it was amazing

Shelves: women-s-issues, biography, presidents-and-families

Catherine Kerrison tells the stories of Martha Jefferson Randolf, Maria Jefferson Eppes and Harriet Hemings, Thomas Jefferson’s three daughters who survived to adulthood. Their lives show that when their father declared all men created equal, he meant, literally, men.

After losing his wife, Jefferson accepted an appointment to represent the new nation in Paris. Martha went with him and enjoyed the convent school she attended. She made lifelong friends and experienced female leadership and a curri Catherine Kerrison tells the stories of Martha Jefferson Randolf, Maria Jefferson Eppes and Harriet Hemings, Thomas Jefferson’s three daughters who survived to adulthood. Their lives show that when their father declared all men created equal, he meant, literally, men.

After losing his wife, Jefferson accepted an appointment to represent the new nation in Paris. Martha went with him and enjoyed the convent school she attended. She made lifelong friends and experienced female leadership and a curriculum usually reserved for men. Maria, when called to join them, put up resistance, as she did with her studies, harpsichord practice, letter writing and more. There is no record of how her 14 year old aunt/slave Sally Hemings, who accompanied her, felt about the trip.

With little guidance from their father (or anyone else), teenage Martha, Maria and Sally had to make choices for the woman they would become. Sally’s daughter’s (Harriet’s), choices came later and she seems to have had some practical preparation. Were there were any real choices for women? Everything rested on their patriarch and marriage was but required for Martha, Maria and Harriet. It turns out that Sally, for whom marriage was not an option, made the best choice.

You learn how the education Martha gave her girls (who were all but barred from Jefferson’s library) was of little use to them. There is an illusion to the volatility of her husband. In the end, Jefferson’s casual solution to his debt thrust her into poverty. Maria is presented as seeking security, but to me she sounds spoiled and entitled. Kerrison presents letters and records posing that the Eppes (Maria's) marriage was a husband and wife team, but another interpretation is that Eppes was catering to her willfulness. With no letters or quotes for Harriet, Kerrison pours over Jefferson’s “Farm Book” which lists purchases, sales (products and slaves), births and harvests for clues. She visits sites and supposes what Harriet would have experienced, thought and felt.

Thomas Jefferson is aloof from Martha and Maria, and according to the (lack of a) record, more so from Sally and Harriet. He designed Monticello for his convenience and not his family’s. His educational priorities were music and embroidery for Martha and Maria and spinning for Harriet. While Martha eventually moved her family to the plantation, she was not involved in managing the Plantation or its finances on which her future and that of their daughters depended.

One story, found in snippets, tells the sad story of the times. After Maria’s death, her husband, before re-marriage, sired a shadow family with Betsy Hemmings (p. 165) “who was a wedding gift of Jefferson in 1797” (p.320). He is buried alongside Betsy (p. 166). Martha Randolf Jefferson, on her death bed, (p. 310) tells her children to allow Betsy, Sally and another to (essentially) live in peace (i.e. not disclose the Jefferson link).

This book must include every snatch of the original material that remains available on these three women. The tedious detail of this type of research is shown in her description of trying to find a trace of Harriet’s life in Washington.

The book held my interest throughout. There are drawings and photos of significant places and several portraits. The photos of the Hemings/Jefferson grandchildren are stunning. The index worked for me. ...more

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Feb 09, 2018 Tom Rowe rated it liked it

Shelves: 2018, audible, non-fiction, own, president, audiobook, biography, history, first-lady

Too long.

It is rare that I declare a book too long, but this book is indeed too long. While it started off very well and was completely captivating, the last third of the book ended in endless repetition. (That's got to be some sort of logical fallacy.)

So here we have the story of Jefferson's three daughters Martha, Maria, and Harriet. In the beginning, we get lots of detail on Martha because he life is so well documented. Maria's brief life was a bit less so. While Martha and Maria are his dau ...more

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Feb 26, 2018 Lynne Luker rated it it was ok · review of another edition

I struggled reading this book. The author jumped around too much. So much of the history was speculation. Very disappointed.

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Dec 14, 2017 Sharon rated it it was amazing

Shelves: a-nonfiction-adult, women, slavery, us-va, city-washington-dc

More than a biography of Jefferson's three daughters, Martha and Maria, who were born to his wife, and Harriet Hemings, born to Sally Hemings, the author offers a heavily researched and documented description of the societal and legal constraints on women, especially Southern women, in the US, regardless of their educational or social status. Martha, the oldest, was educated in France during her father's long period of residence there. She benefitted from the coursework at her elite Parisian sch More than a biography of Jefferson's three daughters, Martha and Maria, who were born to his wife, and Harriet Hemings, born to Sally Hemings, the author offers a heavily researched and documented description of the societal and legal constraints on women, especially Southern women, in the US, regardless of their educational or social status. Martha, the oldest, was educated in France during her father's long period of residence there. She benefitted from the coursework at her elite Parisian school, which was not meant to prepare her as an “ornamental” wife, as was the goal in the US, but was meant to prepare young women with the knowledge to enter into philosophical and political discussions in the salons of Europe. She thrived, but unfortunately she returned to rural Virginia when her father's tenure in Paris ended. Gone were the intellectual stimulation, and her only outlet became the education of her own daughters and sons. This included fluency in French, Spanish, and Latin, which was a subject only boys were taught. For all Jefferson's talk of “equality” and his love of books and knowledge, he was completely negligent in applauding and utilizing the exceptional minds of his daughters. Needlepoint, music, art, French, manners, and of course household management were encouraged rather than science, math, philosophy, economics, or rhetoric. At the end of the day, Martha's daughters were the most educated women of the period, but unfortunately, the US at this time did not recognize the importance of education for women. Martha's younger sister, Maria, died at the age of thirty-five due to the complications of childbirth, but she only spent 2-3 years in Paris, and was not as indoctrinated in the culture of learning. She had one son who survived childhood, but he was very young when she died.
At the other end of the social ladder was Harriet Hemings Jefferson. Her education was focused on learning a trade so that when she was freed at the age of twenty-one, she could find work. However, because Sally Deming's daughter and three sons worked in Monticello home, they were exposed to the culture, mannerisms and lessons of the of the upper class, and they absorbed the behaviors like sponges. Although Harriet did not learn to write until adulthood, her brothers learned by watching, and as they entered the world outside of slavery, they could read and write. Besides the differences in the education and living conditions of the three sisters, the author provided extensive background information on the practice of “passing”, which all four of Sally Hemings's children chose to do, rather than become “freed slaves”, and there intelligence and perseverance allowed them to achieve success.
Occasionally the author seemed to repeat information, but since I was reading a Net galley, courtesy of Random House, this might not be the case in the final, and it wasn't that much of a distraction. I was engrossed in the story, and would definitely recommend for students of history, both casual and professional. It is a perfect fit for courses in women's studies, and US history, both cultural and political, and as a character study of Thomas Jefferson. Once again, in my opinion, he comes up short.
I can't help but wonder if Martha's and Sally's outcomes would have been different if they had remained in France. Sally's living conditions would surely have been better, and any daughters Martha might have had the educational opportunities they deserved. This is a strong contender for my book club the next time I host. ...more

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Jun 27, 2019 Lulu rated it it was ok

I wasn’t really impressed with this one. I was expecting something totally different. This read more like a biography for Martha Jefferson Randolph (only one of Jefferson’s daughter). True, Mary died at a young age and Harriet pretty much disappeared from history, but I feel like we still should have gotten more about them.
The last section of the book read more like a book on race relations and women’s right. Interesting enough, but not really what I signed up for.

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Apr 01, 2018 Dawn Wells rated it really liked it

An amazing book written in chronological order and may be a stay on your toes read to keep up. Was very emotional and highly intense at times. The author went deep to help you understand what was really happening at the time. This story of three sisters, white and black and their relationships with their father. The term father here used biologically. The oldest,Martha his oldest and in many ways the Matriarch of the family. She knew him best and was by far the most liked. His daughter, Maria wh ...more

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Feb 21, 2018 Jo Ann rated it really liked it

This was a very intriguing read for me, and served to inform me more about the mores, values, educational opportunities (and lack thereof), in both Jefferson's time, and for Jefferson in particular. All 3 daughters, and the man himself, were certainly impacted by societal expectations and prejudices. I knew quite a bit about Martha, little about Maria, and almost nothing about Harriet, whose mother was Sally Hemings. We still do not know much about Harriet...much of what the author writes about ...more

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Oct 10, 2017 Bridget Vollmer rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-i-own, gr-giveaway, historical-non-fiction

I received this book in a GR giveaway in exchange for my review.

This I my first book I've read pertaining to Jefferson' daughters.

I thought Catherine Kerrison did a wonderful job not only describing the very different lives of the three sisters but also daily life, education, and the social environment of that time period. I also enjoyed how Kerrison broached the topic of slavery, and how it's impact is still seen in modern times.

A great non fiction historical read recommended for those who love ...more

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Feb 21, 2018 BMR, LCSW rated it it was ok

I got an ARC from Netgalley for review.

I was expecting a story about Jefferson's 3 daughters in relation to each other. Mostly, it was a story about Jefferson's White daughters, and then about Jefferson's Black daughter. They did not interact with each other.

It's really a study of gender roles in the 19th century. It could have been about any Virginian, slave-holding family.

Recommended only for Jefferson scholars. ...more

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Nov 30, 2018 Félix rated it really liked it

A rather dry, fact-filled historical perspective -- but the author kept my interest throughout. A fascinating look at the families that intersected in and around a mountain top in Virginia, focusing mostly on the three sisters who survived to adulthood. I have to admit I was mostly captivated by the search for TJ's slave daughter's (Harriet) fate in Washington DC after she departed home circa 1822. ...more

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Mar 22, 2020 Brittany rated it liked it

Shelves: bookclub, daughters-are-readers, 2018-history-books, cfl-book-club, popsugar-2020

I did not enjoy this book. So. Much. Conjecture. In general, the word "perhaps" occurs way too many times in this book.

My initial response to this book in the first chapter and a half was that the author was screaming at me "I'm a woman. Hear the woman's perspective. Also, slavery is bad, but I'm a woman, so I know better than anyone else who has told you before, so believe me more."

… it didn't get much better from there.

I will say, I listened to the audiobook for this, but I'm ordering a physi I did not enjoy this book. So. Much. Conjecture. In general, the word "perhaps" occurs way too many times in this book.

My initial response to this book in the first chapter and a half was that the author was screaming at me "I'm a woman. Hear the woman's perspective. Also, slavery is bad, but I'm a woman, so I know better than anyone else who has told you before, so believe me more."

… it didn't get much better from there.

I will say, I listened to the audiobook for this, but I'm ordering a physical copy because I'm really curious what sources she used. It seemed she had no primary sources for the girls' actual lives, so she instead filled in the gaps with others in "similar" situations, except they weren't always similar and they weren't always relevant. As a result, the author seemed to go on tangents when trying to draw parallels only to sloppily bring her point back around.

By the end of this book, I started to realize that I think the author's goal of this book was to track down the "missing Harriet." She searched and searched, didn't like what she found, gave up, realized it couldn't be a book on its own, and then filled in whatever else she thought might wrap it all up together to fill up more pages. The feeling that she actually had a goal and a mystery she was trying to solve though, even if it took like 11 (of 12) chapters to get to it, helped this book end on a higher note than it would have previously.

I was annoyed by most of the writing choices. This was not the story of three sisters. This was three separate stories written in a way that didn't feel cohesive at all. I also didn't like the emotions she forced upon the characters. (I'm definitely a "give me the facts and let me draw my own conclusions" kind of person. Don't tell me how I'm supposed to feel about a situation.) BUT, I did enjoy what little wasn't filled with perhapses and probablys about Maria's life especially. She was the daughter I knew least about going into this, so it was nice to fill in a few gaps I didn't already know about her. ...more

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Mar 02, 2018 John Findlay rated it it was amazing

While I was aware of the Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings relationship and that he fathered several children by her, this book fills in many details that I did not know. And it also depicts the very privileged lives of his two legitimate daughters, Martha and Maria. But women clearly play a very limited role in the early days of our country, being deprived of a full education and the ability to control their own destiny. To ensure their futures, they needed to find an appropriate husband, and ...more

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Apr 14, 2018 Joyce rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: sense-of-place, audio, sense-of-times, women, history, biography

An interesting look at the lives of 3 women in the early days of the US and the way Thomas Jefferson's beliefs contrasted with his actions concerning women (education and roles) and race. The biographies are revealing and Harriet's (Jefferson' daughter by slave Sally Hemings) life is particularly interesting. Piecing it together required extensive research, since Harriet left Monticello after Jefferson's death, moved north, and passed for white, totally cutting herself off from her past. Leisure ...more

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Feb 08, 2018 Nicole rated it liked it

Shelves: nonfiction, history, history-american, biography, people-of-color, women, presidents

First of all, I disliked this book because the author uses the phrases they "would have" or she "may have" or he "probably" so many times its infuriating. She's basically saying she has no idea what actually happened, but here's what was happening in society at the same time. It's completely pointless!

On the other hand, it's hard to find women in the history back then. Men are just so much more visible - women disappear, especially when they die young or are enslaved. So she didn't really have a ...more

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Mar 31, 2019 Jemima Ravenclaw rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: genre-historic-non-fiction, genre-human-interest, type-non-fiction, theme-another-culture, challenge-read-personal-choice, book-club-reads-2019, genre-history, format-illustrated, genre-biographical, z2019d-april

Catherine Kerrison has set herself a difficult task in this book. She wishes to bring to light and to examine the lives of the three daughters, 'white and black', of Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States, and explore their individual experiences of growing up in America and also France, through the years 1770-1840. Through no fault of her own, she is forced to flesh out reasonably large tracts of history with suppositional theories based on little solid data and some comparative Catherine Kerrison has set herself a difficult task in this book. She wishes to bring to light and to examine the lives of the three daughters, 'white and black', of Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States, and explore their individual experiences of growing up in America and also France, through the years 1770-1840. Through no fault of her own, she is forced to flesh out reasonably large tracts of history with suppositional theories based on little solid data and some comparative experiences, written down for posterity in the form of saved commentary and letters by peers, relatives, employees and friends of Thomas Jefferson, his legitimate daughters Martha Jefferson Reynolds and Mary (Maria) Jefferson Eppes as well as his illegitimate daughter Harriet Hemmings, born into slavery.

Martha and Maria were the only children of Thomas Jefferson and his wife Martha Wayles to survive past infancy. Through her marriage, Martha Wayles Jefferson endowed on Jefferson within her inheritance of 130 family slaves, the family of Elizabeth Hemmings, with whom her own father had conceived a large alternate family, including her half sister Sally. The Hemmings family was taken into her own household and served in roles in the house as trusted and loyal personal slaves to the Jefferson family.

When Thomas Jefferson was serving as ambassador to the French court, after the death of his wife, his young 9 year old daughter Maria was sent out to him in the care of this Sally Hemmings, who was only fourteen years old herself. At some point during the next two years, Jefferson took his bonded slave Sally as 'concubine', being fully owned of him, his absolute property by Virginan law, with no rights or freedoms of her own. However, because they were in France, where it is possible that Sally could have achieved legally her freedom from her master, some verbal contract was made between them to the effect that if Sally agreed to return to Virginia with Jefferson, he would set all of their children free from slavery when they each reached their 21st birthdays. Harriet Hemmings was born into this agreement some years later, a middle child and only surviving daughter of six other children. The children born of this union were related by blood to Jefferson's legitimate offspring on both paternal and maternal sides, but were unacknowledged by the family as siblings their whole life long. Jefferson's own mother, Jane Randolf, was the daughter of a wealthy Virginian slave trader, and it is obvious from Kerrison's work that Jefferson viewed slavery, as a legitimate and necessary part of becoming a successful and productive Virginian land owner in the 18th century.

The Declaration of Independence, drafted by Jefferson on June 11th 1776, extract:

'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.'

To be frank, I was more than a little shocked that the man who authored and drafted the famous Declaration of Independence, described in articles even today as 'the foremost American son of The Enlightenment', could possibly have these contradictory views at one and the same time in his head. It seems that he believed that slaves, because of their race, were in some manner subhuman. Inferior beings who lacked the mental and emotional capacity to provide for themselves and their families, and could therefore be entered into his farm book amongst his list of cattle, work horses, breeding mares and sows, dehumanising more than 600 individual souls in his care. These were people with individual intelligences, abilities, emotions, desires, hopes and dreams.

As I came to this history with the haziest of ideas about pre and post revolutionary America, and the workings of the South and the North and the War of Independence (a result not of ignorance but of the fact that I am not actually American and have therefore never formally studied the history of a nation whose culture until relatively recently, had little or no impact on the history of my own country). I had a basic understanding, but no proper knowledge of the thinking and societal norms prevalent in young America and the basis of reasoning which allowed the institution and protection of slavery and skin colour based caste systems to predominate and persevere so definitively, even up until todays' modern thinking. Of course this type of thinking is also prevalent in my own country in many diverse societies, but is based on different history (although no less abhorrent) in which slavery had no direct part. The political laws and agendas of both free and slave states were not carefully being balanced against each other in the formation of our political constitution and laws, nor was our economy based on the perceived necessity of the protection of the institution of slavery.

Jefferson's attitudes and embracement of inequalities based on blood hereditary, his wish to protect his reputation for posterity and his legitimate family from scandal, as well as the tightening laws on previously freed slaves in Virginia, resulted in his sons and Harriet never being given legal documents to protect their freed or birth statuses. Instead, Harriet travelled to Washington in disguise to independently pass as white, changed her name and so disappeared from any known historical records, to protect the futures of herself and her children. There is a reasonably large commentary on the historical subjection of women to the right of male relatives at this time in America, in nearly all aspects of their lives within this work. An examination of the institutions of education, home, marriage, freedom of expression, the law and women, and how these subdued even the exceptional diligence and intelligences of Jefferson's daughters and granddaughters, who were all subject to his discriminatory edicts on these matters. In Catherine Kerrison's work, a detailed picture of Jefferson is given from the particular point of view as a landholder, slaveholder, family man and father. What emerges is a man who seems to have very little depth of feeling for others, even his own children. I found myself thinking that he was fairly accurately described by many peers as what today might be described as the ultimate narcissist, even within an era where white man reigned unchallenged, supreme.

Although the difficulties in obtaining accurate and personal knowledge of Martha, Maria and Harriet is well set out by Kerrison in this work, I feel that she has done an excellent job in making a complex and difficult subject accessible to the layman. She has provided enough plausible story to the dry facts to make it an enjoyable (if slightly pedantic at times) read for the person wanting a better knowledge of this turbulent time in American and also European history. It is written from the perspective of the lives of his three daughters and so tends mainly to include in depth information about Jefferson that might have related to them and their lives, rather than attempting a full biography of the man who became the third American President.

I feel that one of the wisest conclusions drawn from reading this historical work is deftly summarised on the last page by the author herself. I believe it may provide some motivation for reading a book which is extremely thought provoking, in also giving some explanation and understanding to why current political and social issues may be deeply rooted in the acts and attitudes of the founders of the American Nation, rather than in their glorious rhetoric, of which many patriotic Americans are justly proud.

'The tragedy of the American experience is how much has been lost following Jefferson's lead. America's hope, however, lies in the vision of those who reject those limits and strive to build the legacy embedded in his most famous words.'
Catherine Kerrison, 2018. ...more

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Jul 27, 2018 Kathy Riley rated it it was amazing

Shelves: biography

If I could give this book 6 stars, I would. The author is a brilliant historian and writer with the ability to make a time period come alive. I listened to the audio version and offer high praise to the reader as well. Thomas Jefferson had 3 daughters--Martha and Maria, by his wife Martha, and Harriet Hemmings, by Sally Hemmings, his slave and half sister of his late wife. Through the stories of these three women, we get a wide perspective on the stark differences between the lives of enslaved b If I could give this book 6 stars, I would. The author is a brilliant historian and writer with the ability to make a time period come alive. I listened to the audio version and offer high praise to the reader as well. Thomas Jefferson had 3 daughters--Martha and Maria, by his wife Martha, and Harriet Hemmings, by Sally Hemmings, his slave and half sister of his late wife. Through the stories of these three women, we get a wide perspective on the stark differences between the lives of enslaved black and free white women in the American South. Still, though Martha and Maria (Jefferson's only acknowledged daughters) enjoyed far more privilege than Harriet, they suffered the legal/social gender limitations of the early 19th century as well as the hazards of childbirth, high infant mortality, and illness. Martha, who bore 12 children in an emotionally abusive marriage, lived to old age and enjoyed a close relationship with her father. Maria died in her mid-20s, following a long post-childbirth illness. Harriet, who was allowed her freedom at age 21--as per her father's prior agreement with her mother--disappeared into history, after being given a new identity. Fans of Jefferson may find this an uncomfortable read. Though he professed opposition to slavery, he remained a slave owner until his death, avoiding opportunities to oppose the system. And despite his love for his daughters and granddaughters, he accepted the patriarchal and racial beliefs and privileges of powerful men of his time. At times I found myself quite angry with Jefferson, though that was tempered by the realization that every era carries social and political injustice, and I'd no doubt be better off focusing on that of my own. Kerrison not only makes an era come alive--covering a wide range of practices and beliefs, but shows how difficult it is to find those lost in history. She tracked down countless records for every woman named Harriet in early 19th century Washington D.C.--Harriet Hemmings' likely destination--but her search was inconclusive. Years later writings left by her brother Madison said that she had married and was prosperous, but gave no details. We can only hope Harriet found happiness to counter memories of her enslaved past. The book also brings the reader up to date on the resistance of the Jefferson Foundation to acknowledging Jefferson's paternity of Sally Hemmings' children. It wasn't until 2000 that DNA testing helped bring the truth to light. ...more

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Jul 30, 2018 Janet Goodwin rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I enjoyed this book and came away impressed with the intense research the author Catherine Kerrison has done. She has developed a senario of the lives of the three sisters without much help of their own sayings or thoughts left in their own wrtings. The oldest, Martha did write to her family & friends occasionally. If they were saved few survived. Maria wrote to few people and when she did they were short notes. There is no sign Harriet could write until she was older in fact she is not on the r I enjoyed this book and came away impressed with the intense research the author Catherine Kerrison has done. She has developed a senario of the lives of the three sisters without much help of their own sayings or thoughts left in their own wrtings. The oldest, Martha did write to her family & friends occasionally. If they were saved few survived. Maria wrote to few people and when she did they were short notes. There is no sign Harriet could write until she was older in fact she is not on the radar after she leaves Monticello. The author does flesh out each daughter well with information she has researched.

Kerrison shows us a great deal about the home life of Jefferson & his family, his political career and his rule of his many properties and his role as slave owner. He was devoted to his white daughters education and parenting to a point. I say that because educating a young women[ consisted of reading, French, Latin, Greek, needlework, pl5aying the piano, and managing a house and slaves, and conversing intelligently without having a political opinion. Young women were not accepted at Higher learning schools. Jefferson himself parented mostly by corrospondence than actually being present physically in his daughters lives. Martha was raised mainly in schools and Maria mostly by her Aunt Epps.

Martha and Maria loved their father and Martha served her father most of her life, though married. There is no evidence of any relationship with Harriet, however she was treated better than field slaves and she was freed. There are many assumptions in this book of what these three young women were like. I believe the assumptions are believeable because the author stays true to the thinking and culture of the time when our country was very young. Our country was made up with people from so many cultures, social, economic and political backgrounds, and moral behavior spread apart in a new country that didn't have many laws established as yet.

Jefferson's personality severed many of his relationships with family and friends, only to be renewed again. I often wondered if his wife had lived, what a entirely different person he would have been and the family enjoying a happier life. ...more

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Oct 10, 2019 MadameNovelist rated it liked it

Very detailed, carefully researched, and nuanced look into the family legacy of Thomas Jefferson, including his immediate children and grandchildren, as well as a bit about his descendants today. For the most part, the perspective of Kerrison is balanced and empathetic, and does not go easy on Jefferson's inconsistencies on his views of freedom, autonomy, and independence regarding women and slaves. But occasionally the tone, to me, seems a little too nostalgic.

Overall I very much appreciated l ...more

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Nov 12, 2018 Victoria Van Vlear rated it it was ok

Shelves: non-fiction, biography

I was very much looking forward to reading a biography about Jefferson's three daughters. But only two thirds of the book was biographical. A full third of the book was a very biased feminist rant against the social mores of the 18th century. The author looked at these women’s lives through the lens of progressive 21st century ideals, which is not the purpose of a biography. Our culture has changed greatly in the last 200 years—of course we don't agree with some of the practices and assumptions ...more

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Dec 15, 2018 Sugarpuss O'Shea rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2018, e-book, library-book, non-fiction, biographies-memoirs

For me, this is yet another 2018 Goodreads Choice Awards finalist that just didn't live up to the hype....

While it's obvious Ms Kerrison combed through numerous tomes to bring this book together, there is just so little firsthand information about these three women contained herein. This book uses other people's documented experiences of the times & superimposes them on these three women. If there weren't enough primary sources to put together a complete, firsthand picture of their lives, why wr ...more

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Mar 05, 2019 Nicole rated it it was amazing

Shelves: memoir-autobiography, nonfiction

Excellent work by Catherine Kerrison, and her extensive research on Thomas Jefferson and his family. We hear a lot about his public life, but this is a more intimate look on who Thomas Jefferson was in his private life. Family relations, the wife and many children he lost. And then a close look at who Sally Hemings was, Jefferson's slave "concubine". My jaw dropped as I found out that she was only 15 years old (Jefferson 44) when they started their relationship in Paris. She had come over as a m ...more

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May 01, 2019 Lindsay rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: never-going-to-finish-because-yuck

I feel a little bad giving this only 2 stars when it was so well researched. But it’s just a snooze overall. I tried to power through this book. I made it to about 25%. It just didn’t captivate me. At all. As someone who is pretty obsessed with this era of history, I was really excited for it. But the author’s narration is actually quite dull for a subject that should be exciting - I mean Patsy Jefferson lived through the American Revolution as a child and then went to France and lived there in ...more

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About Catherine Kerrison

Catherine Kerrison

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Catherine Kerrison is an associate professor of history at Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania, where she teaches courses in colonial and revolutionary America and women's and gender history. She holds a Ph.D. in American history from the College of William and Mary. Her first book, “Claiming the Pen: Women and Intellectual Life in the Early American South” (Cornell), won the Outstandi ...more

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“Harriet Garner (as she appears in the marriage register) or Gardner (as reported in the newspaper’s wedding announcement) married Benjamin Williamson on July 13, 1822. If Garner was Harriet Hemings, she made her decision about her future livelihood quickly but well.” — 0 likes

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