1852-Present - Madison, WI
Eston Hemings was born a slave, the son of slave Sally Hemings and President Thomas Jefferson.
After becoming a free man Eston eventually came to Madison in the fall of 1852 with his wife Julia. It was at this time he changed his name to E. H. Jefferson.
It is believed that Eston "passed" as white so his family would have more opportunities separating himself from his black family.
Eston died of smallpox four years later.
In 1998 DNA evidence confirmed that Eston was a direct descendant of President Thomas Jefferson and his slave, Sally Hemings.
Both Eston's sons, Beverly and John, fought in a Wisconsin regiment during the Civil War and later became successful hoteliers in downtown Madison.
John had one of the largest carriage businesses in Wisconsin.
Eston Hemings Jefferson (47) - Originally buried in the Village Cemetery his remains are now at Forest Hill.
