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A LINEAL DESCENDANT.Death of an Illegitimate Son of tlic Autiior of the Declaration of Iii«1rpeult;lcnce.Robert Jefferson died tbo other day at Oberlin, Ohio. Mr. Jefferson, says the IndiananoliA Journal, wits perhaps the best kuAwn colored resident of Indianapolis, aud with him probably dies the only descendant of Thomas Jeffer-' son, third presideutof the United States and author of the declaration of iude-Kndence, in this part of the country, tere oxists tho very best of reasons for the belief that ho was iu truth tho son of Thomas Jofferson, bis story having been published iu the Journal of April 1,1879, and attracted very general nttentiou. The story of bis life aud his reasons for believing that ho was the son of the illustrious personage whose name he bore, wero detailed to a Journal representative several weeks ago, as follows: “Yes. sir, I believe 1 am the son of Thos. Jefferson. I have every reason to thiuk lie was my futber, and no reason to think otherwise. My mother was a slave girl, a tall and handsome woman, belongiug to Mr. Christian, of Charlestown, Va. Thomas Jefferson and my mother’s master were warm persoual friends, and frequently exchanged visits. Mr. Jefferson passing a good deal of bis time at Charlestown and at Mr. Christian's house. My mother was a housomaid, nnd had charge of the apartments Mr. Jefferson usually occupied, tier uamo was Millie lteddiford, and she was said to be a very pretty woman in her younger days, although a dark mulatto. I was bora in March, 1303, at the house of my mother's master. I can remember the homestead well, aud have myself seeu Thomas Jefferson. My mother and all her people always told me ho was my father, aud 1 have uo reason to doubt their word. My mother was unmarried when 1 was born, and my master has often told rae who my father was, and it was ho who named me Robert Jefferson. These are the reasons for my belief, and on which I suppose I am really tho offspring of Thomas Jefferson.’Mr. Jefferson was a slate uutil about 1R52, when he purchased his freedom and that of his wife, from his master paying $2,7(14 for himaell and $l,ro0 for bia #iifc haring earned tho money at odd hours doing caiqienter work. After living in several different placet for short periods, Mr. Jefferson finally settled in Indianapolis, in 1854. where be has since resided His eetato is valued at iiVdOO, his home being at 1H.S Minerva street. He baa lived by himself for eeverel year*, and in that time has added much to hie for-
Newspaper Details
Yankton Press and Daily Dakotaian
Yankton, South Dakota, US
Wed, Jun 14, 1882
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OH, USA 10 Sep 2023
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Yankton Daily Press and Dakotaian
Yankton Press and Daily Dakotaian
