Sally Hemings: An American Scandal Time Line 1743 Thomas Jefferson born (April 13) 1772 Jefferson marries Martha Wayles Skelton, daughter of John Wayles (Jan. 1). The Jefferson's first daughter, Martha, is born. (Sept. 27) 1773 Sally Hemings is born on The Forest Plantation owned by John Wayles. Her mother is a slave, Elizabeth "Betty" Hemings; her father is John Wayles, Jefferson's father-in-law. 1774 The first Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia 1775 The American Revolution begins. 1776 The Declaration of Independence is accepted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4. Sally Hemings becomes Thomas Jefferson's property and arrives at Monticello as part of his inheritance from the Wayles' estate. 1778 Maria (Polly) Jefferson is born (Aug. 1) 1779 Thomas Jefferson succeeds Patrick Henry as Virginia's governor. 1782 Jefferson's wife, Martha dies (Sept. 6). 1783 American Revolution ends on April 19. Jefferson elected delegate to Congress on June 6. 1785 Jefferson serves as Ambassador to France and takes his eldest daughter, Martha, and his slave servant, James Hemings, with him 1787 Polly Jefferson arrives at Thomas Jefferson's residence, the Hotel de Langeac in Paris, accompanied by Sally Hemings. The Constitution of the United States is signed, and the federal government is established. "Notes on the State of Virginia" by Thomas Jefferson, is published. 1789 The French Revolution begins with the storming of the Bastille. George Washington becomes the first president of the United States on April 30 Sally Hemings becomes pregnant with her first child. Thomas Jefferson, his two daughters, Martha and Polly, and Sally and James Hemings return to Monticello. (Dec. 23) 1790 Thomas Jefferson becomes the first U.S. secretary of state. Philadelphia becomes the federal capital of the U.S. Washington, DC. is founded. Tom Hemings, Sally's first child, is born in January. 1791 The United States Bill of Rights is adopted 1792 Two political parties are formed in the U. S.: the Republican under Thomas Jefferson and the Federalist under John Adams and Alexander Hamilton 1793 Jefferson resigns as secretary of state on Dec. 31 1794 Jefferson returns to Monticello, where he remains until 1797. 1795 Harriet Hemings, Sally's second child, is born (Oct. 5). 1796 John Adams defeats Thomas Jefferson in the U S presidential election. Edy Hemings, Sally's third child, is born and dies in infancy. 1797 Thomas Jefferson is inaugurated as vice president, and leaves for Philadelphia on Dec 4 1798 Beverly Hemings, Sally's fourth child, is born (April 1). Harriet Hemings, Sally's 2-year-old daughter, dies. 1800 Thomas Jefferson is elected president. Washington, DC. becomes the new capital city with 2,462 free inhabitants and 623 slaves. James Callendar threatens to expose Jefferson's relationship with Sally Hemings if he is not appointed postmaster of Richmond. Jefferson ignores him. 1801 Jefferson begins his first term as president Harriet Hemings (Sally's fifth child who is named for her second child) is born in May. 1802 James Callender prints his first story accusing Jefferson of having a relationship with his slave, Sally Hemings, in the Richmond Recorder on Sept. 1. The scandal begins as newspapers across the country run the story. Jefferson refuses to answer the charges publicly. Tom Hemings leaves Monticello. 1803 Jefferson orchestrates the U S purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France James Callender is found drowned in three feet of water (July 17) 1804 Maria (Polly) Jefferson dies on April 17. Jefferson returns to Monticello and remains on his plantation for a month, during which time Sally Hemings again becomes pregnant. 1805 Jefferson begins his second term as president Sally's sixth child, Madison, is born (Jan. 19). 1807 Jefferson signs law forbidding import of new slaves Jefferson vacations at Monticello from Aug 5 - Sept. 30. 1808 Sally's seventh and last child, Eston, is born on May 21. Sally is 35. 1809 Thomas Jefferson retires to Monticello. James Madison becomes fourth president of the US 1814 The British burn Washington, DC during the War of 1812. 1815 Jefferson sells his private library to Congress for the National Library. 1817 Jefferson begins plans for the creation of the University of Virginia James Madison becomes the fifth president of the US 1822 Harriet and Beverly Hemings run away and pass into white society, never to be heard from again. 1824 John Quincy Adams is elected president by the U.S. House of Representatives when none of the four candidates wins a majority. 1825 The University of Virginia opens in Charlottesville on March 7 1826 Thomas Jefferson dies at Monticello on July 4th, the 50th anniversary, of the Declaration of Independence. Sally's last two children, Madison and Eston, are freed in Jefferson's will. 1829 Slavery is abolished in Mexico. 1832 The New England Anti-Slavery Society is founded in Boston. 1833 Slavery is abolished in the British Empire. 1835 Sally Hemings dies. 1837 The "Gag Law," aimed at suppressing debate on slavery, passed by U.S. Congress. 1850 Population of the U.S.: 23 million, 3.2 million black slaves. 1861 The Civil War begins (April 12) 1863 President Abraham Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing the slaves 1865 The Civil War ends The Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery, is ratified. 1870 The Fifteenth Amendment prohibits voting discrimination "on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude". 1873 Madison Hemings tells the story of his parents, Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson, to a reporter from the Pike County (Ohio) Republican newspaper. The story is published on March 13. 1920 The Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution prohibits voting discrimination "on account of sex" 1964 The Civil Rights Act is signed into law The Twenty-fourth Amendment to the Constitution is ratified, abolishing poll taxes. 1998 The British journal Nature publishes DNA evidence of a link between a descendant of Sally Hemings (her youngest son, Eston) and Thomas Jefferson. Sources: The Timetables of History,, by Bernard Grun (United States Presidents, Thomas Jefferson, by Wendie C. Old