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JEtTEBSO.VS SO*.An eld laJittu and fit* Strange Story.A few day? ago a reporter of tbs Journal ascertained that a colored man in the employ of Dr. W. C. Tfaampeon, was poseeeeed of a history at one? strange and interesting, and, with a view of aaoertainiag it* facta connected with thla person, sought the doctor out.11 Ye*. said he In response to th» reporter's question. I have in my employ an aged colored man, vbata I have no doabt la the eon of Mr. Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States. He baa frei|uent~ ly told me of bis reasons for believing himself such, and I make no doubt whatever of the truth of hie stale-menu. 1 have known him lor a number of years, and believing the word of Robert Jeff? ran a. m readdy as I would the oath of any mas Ha Uvea at 183 Minerva street.and will be pleased to see you. Give him a call and hear what he has got to say.shortly after the hour of noon, yesterday. the reporter found bimealf on the corner of North and Minerva streets, and turning to bw left, southward, looked for the oumber towhloh he bad been directed. The second house south of North street proved* to-be the one for which be sought. Large evergreen trees cast their shadows on the front of the house, a two-story frame, almple In architecture and neat In appearance: He knockedat the door, and after a moment's pause the summons was answered by a colored men. rather below the medium height, apparently sixty years of age, a dark mulatto In color, and with hair straight and blank.“Does Mr. JeHereon reside her? He does.And Is this he?It is. Won't you coiae in V* and the reporter entered.The door opened Into a parlor, on the floor of which was a carpet of modest design, and which was well furnlabad. Everything presenting a* scrupulously neat and clean appearance, from the different articles of furniture to the central objection of at-traction, tbeir quaint-lookiug propri-11 etor, Mr. Jvf!er»oa liituseli. The reporter made known his errand as ho ’ seated himself on the sofa, and watched the eff.et of Lis announcement on# • the old gentleman. He at first ap-_ pea red surprised and, answered, after J ' acute hesitstioa, Yes, I believe I amthe son of Thomas Jefferson. I have every reason to believe him to be my r ' father, and no reason to think eoatra-»*y*I After some persuasion on the part of the Interviewer, the old gentleman T contlnoed :it is a short story, and easily told. My mother was a slave girt, a tall and handsome woman belonging to Mr. Christian, of Cuarleston, Va. Thomas Jeffemtn and my mother's matte? were warm persona! friends, and fre-{ostitfy exchanged visits, Mr. Jefferson passing a good deal of his time in “ Charles town, and in Air. Christian’s boose. My mother was one of the lousemalds during the time he pasted at her master* house. Her name was Millie Il*d di ford. and ene was ' , said to !»*» » vary pretty woman in bee 3 young day*, although a dark mulatto n color. 1 wan born in the month of r March, 1803, at Charlestown, and am «*on»eqt»eotly seventy-elx year old at 3 | the present time. I can remember my master* house and grounds very welt, and have myself seen Thomas ’ Jefferson. My Mother and all of be? t people always told me that he was my father, and I have no reason so doubt them. Sly mother was unmarried. and Air. Christian himself mid that my name was Jeflervon, and ^ he gave me the name that I now bear, that of Robert Jefferson. These are my reasons for believing myself few son. I soppove I am really hia uff-' spring. I oatne to Madison. Indiana, i an 1834, and removed here the ye-r f following I buflt this house, then j the only one n^ar here, except aw old farm bouse. I saved what money 1 eon Id, and educated my two daughters. One of them married a At. LouU man. the proprietor of ‘Ruble : son's Tonsariai Parlor/ In that city, He died a short time ago. and aha sold his shop for $11,000 going to 11 va with her sister. Airs. ^mtth. win* .Ives with her husband, in Pan a, Hi., My wife died five year* ago, a;.J i -*lnee that time T have lived alone. -», {ndkm(if.KJyi JotemuL
Newspaper Details
Brownville Nebraska Advertiser
Brownville, Nebraska, US
Thu, May 29, 1879
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
OH, USA 10 Sep 2023
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Brownville Nebraska Advertiser
