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Historian Andrew Davenport arrived at Monticello with an extraordinary background: He knew that at the very moment Thomas Jefferson wrote a book called “Notes on the State of Virginia” that ridiculed Black people, the author of the Declaration of Independence depended on the labor of Davenport’s enslaved ancestor.
“How is it possible,” Davenport recalled thinking as he began his studies, “that the apostle of human liberty could have such obviously racist sentiments?”
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Davenport could only imagine what was witnessed by his great-great-great-great-grandfather, Peter Hemings — a cook, brewer and tailor. Jefferson called Hemings a “servant of great intelligence and diligence,” but did not free him. Instead, he was sold to a relative for $1 at 56 years old. It was Hemings’s enslaved sister, Sally Hemings, who bore at least six of Jefferson’s children, according to Monticello research.
Davenport, as a scholar of slavery, has spent much of his adult life retracing not just his ancestor’s journey, but also that of many enslaved people at Jefferson’s plantations. Davenport’s work led to his appointment last year as director of Monticello’s International Center for Jefferson Studies.
Andrew Davenport, director of the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies, at Monticello in Charlottesville. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)
Such a family history and deep knowledge of slavery might lead some to revile everything about Jefferson. But over time, Davenport drew a more nuanced lesson — one that he said is particularly relevant as the nation prepares to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration.
Isaac Granger Jefferson started his working life in the nailery at Monticello and also became a blacksmith. (Smithsonian Institution) Peter Fossett was sold from the auction block at Monticello in 1827 at age 11. (Smithsonian Institution)
Whatever Jefferson meant by his famous phrase about equality — “all men are created equal” — it almost immediately took on a life of its own. Enslaved people cited it in filing petitions for freedom. Some Northern states began actions to end enslavement, citing Jefferson’s words. Most meaningful of all to Davenport: Some of those who had been enslaved by Jefferson years later cited the founder’s words as their inspiration in setting out on a journey for freedom.
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