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George Wythe Randolph, Jefferson’s grandson

            George was born in 1818 at Monticello. His mother was Martha Jefferson Randolph. His father was Thomas Mann Randolph. He was their last child. He was named for his grandfather’s law teacher.             From 1831-1839, George served in the United States Navy. He studied at the University of Virginia. In 1841, he received a…

Lesson Plan

In matters of principle, stand like a rock: What Inferences Can We Make About Thomas Jeffersons Guiding Principles?

Article

Isaac Jefferson, an enslaved blacksmith

Isaac Jefferson was born at Monticello in 1775. His parents were slaves owned by Thomas Jefferson. When he was about fifteen, Thomas Jefferson took Isaac to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There Isaac learned how to be a tinsmith. He made tin pepper boxes and tin cups. When Isaac returned to Monticello, he worked in the tinsmith shop.…

Article

Israel Gillette, an enslaved house servant

Israel Gillette was born in 1800. He was the son of Edward and Jane Gillette, who were enslaved farm laborers. He had twelve brothers and sisters. When Israel was a child, he worked in the main house at Monticello. He made fires, dusted and polished, and ran errands. He often traveled with Jefferson in a…

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James Hemings, an enslaved cook

James Hemings was Betty Hemings's son and a slave. When he was nineteen, he crossed the Atlantic Ocean on ship. He traveled with Thomas Jefferson and his daughter Martha. He was going to Paris to be trained as a cook. Hemings trained with several French caterers and cooks. He even studied with the chef of…

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James Madison Randolph, Jefferson’s grandson

            James was born in 1806. His mother was Martha Jefferson Randolph. His father was Thomas Mann Randolph. He was born in the President’s House (White House) when his grandfather, Thomas Jefferson, was president.                     James studied at the University of Virginia. He was quiet and gentle. He lived alone at one of the family…