69-year-old suffers stroke in his N.C. home; Realtor showing house leaves him there. (l-r) Andrew M. Davenport and Gayle Jessup White. She is also a member the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society and serves on the Poplar Forest African American Advisory Group. She says, I always felt that if I could determine my ties to Jefferson, I could find out more about my family. We are reconsidering how we remember the institution of slavery, and that includes the historical figures from that period. Growing up, she had heard that her African American family was somehow descended from Thomas Jefferson, but with limited records and tight-lipped relatives, there was no proof. Well, this would have been taboo back in the 1960s and early '70s. Man died Wednesday. But more important, as I began to understand the history, being descended from the people he enslaved and knowing who they were became a more important part of my identity.. For four decades the acclaimed journalist and genealogy enthusiast researched her connection to Thomas Jefferson, to confirm its truth once and for all. The McKnew family put her out and ours took her in. The kitchen where Peter worked came to be one of Gayles favorite rooms at Monticello. The findings: Jeffersons great-great-grandson, Moncure Robinson Taylor, was Whites great-grandfather through a relationship with his familys domestic servant, Whites great-grandmother Rachel Robinson. Audrey Edwards, author of American Runaway: Black and Free in Paris in the Trump Years, "Thanks to Gayle Jessup White who sometimes feels 'battle scarred after another day spent fighting for equal recognitionof Black Historythat for many is an afterthought.' Little pieces were coming together, but not enough for me to understand how we could have been descended. White is related to both families. Used under license. It is my right and the right of every descendant of enslaved people to claim their stake in America.. Skip to main content. The Making of Presidents' and First Ladies' Portraits. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. We have the documentary evidence because every time Jefferson returned home from being in Washington during his administration as president, Sally Hemings would have a baby nine months later. Join Facebook to connect with Gayle Jessup White and others you may know. Susan Fales-Hill, television producer and author ofAlways Wear Joy, Reclamationinstantly reverberates with those of us who are desperate to rebuild our family trees, especially for Americans who lived during the colonial era. Gayle Jessup White, author of Reclamation: Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson, and a Descendant's Search for Her Family's Lasting Legacy. She is the public relations and community engagement officer at Monticello. (203) 254-4000. During his time in the White For Teachers Days. Gayle Jessup White is a third generation Washingtonian whose lineage extends as far back as the indigenous people who inhabited the Chesapeake area before the arrival of Europeans. Aunt Peachie was given to old wives tales, but the one thing that my sister believed that she said repeatedly was that you're descended from Thomas Jefferson, she would say. And she announced that we're descended from Thomas Jefferson. And she heard it from her over and over and over again for the 20 years she lived with our family. If you have any questions, please review our privacy As she desperately prays for healing, hear the message she receives from God on todays A woman receives an answer to a prayer she never wanted to pray. She lives in Virginia. Fairfield, Connecticut 06824 In 1993, the Getting Word oral history project at Jeffersons Monticello plantation began identifying descendants and recording their oral histories. She has traced her ancestry to Jefferson and two families that were enslaved at his estate, Monticello. 01/10/2023. Gayle Jessup White is a communications consultant, writer, and realtor. Its important to look at each other and to work through those differences and see ourselves as Americans and recognize the kinship. Andrew M. Davenport, a 2008 graduate of Fairfield College Preparatory School is a writer, editor, and teacher. Our Facebook Live series, White House History Live, delves into the history of the Executive Mansion as well as the stories of the people who lived and worked there. ortraits by Rembrandt Peale, left, and. as a Jefferson descendant. A Black descendent of Thomas Jefferson and employee at Monticello, author Gayle Jessup White examined the legacies of her ancestors and the current racial. 137 Kindle Edition $1499 Customers Also Bought Items By Tickets are $20 | Quick Members: $15. helps rewrite the estate's well-known narrative to include the hundreds of enslaved people who worked for Jefferson. She also hopes that people see themselves and their families in mine. But after years of detective work, aided by advances in DNA technology, she was finally able to piece together her family's past. Gayle recounts, Well I was shocked. In her book, Reclamation, Gayle chronicles her journey to find her heritage, and more. And the whole room went into shock, she said. A woman is diagnosed with cancer and its spreading quickly. We have more in common than not. 90.7 Charlotte 93.7 Southern Pines Her journalist husband, Jack White, was teaching at Hampton University, so they landed in Richmond to ease the commute. Has the White House ever been renovated or changed? Gayle Jessup White had long heard the stories passed down from . Whites relentless pursuit of her family lore led her to a fellowship at the International Center for Jefferson Studies and, ultimately, as Monticellos first community engagement officer. NPR's Michel Martin discussed the book with Jessup White, who describes herself as the five times great-granddaughter of Thomas Jefferson. What was the breakthrough in public acceptance of the fact that Thomas Jefferson - and now we're finding out that any number of Founding Fathers also had Black families. White has written and spoken extensively about her work at Monticello and about her familys ties to Jefferson, his extended family, and the enslaved community. ADRIAN FLORIDO,. which chronicles her remarkable journey to understand and reclaim her heritage Get daily or weekly highlights from The 700 Club delivered to your inbox. And she starts by explaining how she first learned about this possible connection. Whites story is singular, yet somehow pervasive the most honest of American narratives. That's why I'm at Monticello. Publishers, 195 Broadway, New York, NY She is the author of the book, Reclamation: Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson, and a Descendant's Search for Her Family's Lasting Legacy. God made it possible for you to know. This program was held at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. Please subscribe to keep reading. Gayle JESSUP WHITE: Frankly, I think it was DNA evidence. Trade PB, Format: It behooves us all to know that history. For 20. In her book, The Other Side of Yet, Michelle Hord details the excruciating loss of her beloved seven-year-old daughter, Gabrielle, at the hands of Doctors advise a young mother to abort after they determine her pregnancy is not viable. It would behoove all of us to be as curious about our heritage as White. Gayle Jessup White is a third generation Washingtonian whose lineage extends as far back as the indigenous people who inhabited the Chesapeake area before the arrival of Europeans. See her moment of surrender, and the miracle of life. 1 ranking in country. I feel that the ancestors pulled me out of my hometown, my beloved hometown, Washington, D.C., to come to Richmond Virginia, which is just 70 miles from Charlottesville, so that I could become a vehicle for them, so that I could express as well as I possibly could what they were not able to. She is currently the Foundations public relations & community engagement officer. ALBEMARLE Gayle Jessup White spent four decades of her life exploring her connection to Thomas Jefferson, a passion born out of her family's oral history that they were his direct. MARTIN: Why do you think it is that you - there was a part of you that always believed it and just had faith in it. Our Facebook Live series, White House Biographer Jeffrey Frank discusses his new book on Harry Truman. Her American roots are in Virginia going back to the Jamestown settlement, and in Maryland. For four decades, she researched familial connections to Jefferson, ultimately learning that she was not only a descendant of Jefferson on his fathers side but also the great-great-great-granddaughter of Peter Hemings, Sally Hemings brother. This There was a problem saving your notification. They were able to pass down character, dignity, strength, humanity, love, joy, pain, resilience, to their descendants. She says, We are one people. And they were the only Blacks there. And so we had the DNA evidence. What makes the Justices so elite? Because they were extraordinary people, and they need to be heard, and their lives have been forgotten. Skip to main content. Join Why Movieland says you have to be 17 to attend a movie after 7:30 p.m. Gayle says, Im proud of my relatives who were enslaved because they were up against so much. . Jefferson was 6'2", had red hair and freckles. Erin Keever is Senior Producer of WFAE'sCharlotte Talks with Mike Collins. A Black descendent of Thomas Jefferson and employee at Monticello, author Gayle Jessup White examined the legacies of her ancestors and the current racial. A former award-winning television reporter and anchor, Jessup White started her career at the New York Times. With tax cuts unresolved, his session wins included movement on workforce development and his losses included the 15-week abortion bill. In so doing, she 'reclaims' our common humanity and gives new meaning to 'one nation, indivisible.'" Classroom Resource Packet: Slavery, Freedom, and the White HouseJames Madison's Montpelier: Fate in the BalanceThe Enslaved Household of Dr. Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell, author of "Red, White and Blue on the Runway: The 1968 White House Fashion Show and the Politics Join historian and Pat Nixon biographer Heath Lee and former Nixon White House staffer Barbara Franklin as they discuss the Join us in learning more about White House History right from your own home. They were strong. I'm very comfortable with who I am and take complete ownership of my place in society and as a descendant of enslaved people. [supadu_silverpop isbn="9780063028678" authorid="52063" referenceid="52063" authorname="Gayle Jessup White" id="5" title="Author tab Form"]. Thousands of Images covering the History of the White House, Official White House Ornaments, Books & More. Gayle serves on Virginias Citizens Advisory Council on Furnishing and Interpreting the Executive Mansion, where she is founding chair of the Descendant Committee. He was a flawed human being who made some horrible decisions,sinful decisions. There are times when her honest accounting of her experience has taught us about our blind spots, she said of White. . A former award-winning television reporter and anchor, Gayle started her career at the New York Times. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. on his fathers side but also the great-great-great-granddaughter of Peter Her epic family legacy, interwoven with one of the nation's founding fathers, is an emotional trip back in time. When I'm in that space where I feel the presence of my ancestors. Gayle explains, I'm actually descended from her brother, Peter Hemings, who was a cook at Monticello. Are you an author? Time: 8 p.m. John Marshall boys basketball reclaims No. For decades, she'd been a domestic for a wealthy white family, the McKnews, in Washington, D.C., until she suffered a crippling stroke. They were possessions. She writes about it in a new book titled "Reclamation: Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson, And A Descendant's Search For Her Family's Lasting Legacy." So that I'm able to work at Monticello, that I'm able to accentuate because I'm a physical presence of who those people who were in prison there were, then it is the greatest privilege and honor of my life to be able to do so. She has written and spoken extensively about her work at Monticello and currently lives in Virginia. Poring through photos and documents and pursuing DNA evidence, she learned that not only was she a descendant of Jefferson on his fathers side; she was also the great-great-great-granddaughter of Peter Hemings, Sally Hemingss brother. She is not only a direct Jefferson descendant, but is related to two well-documented families enslaved at Monticello the Hemingses and the Hubbards. EPUB Her discoveries there opened a window into who her ancestors were: overcomers who helped build America while being oppressed by slavery. Gayle Jessup White began her career at The New York Times and was an award-winning TV reporter before becoming Monticello's first community engagement officer in 2016. White House History Live. Time. . Because my story is their story, too.. That's my job. Her new book, Reclamation: Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson, And A Descendant's Search For Her Family's Lasting Legacy," is out now. In 2014, Gayle was selected for the fellowship program at the international center for Jefferson studies. Please switch to a supported browser or download one of our Mobile Apps. She and her husband, retired Time Magazine columnist Jack White Jr have a blended family of four sons, one daughter, and seven granddaughters. Back in 1998, there was a study called The Foster study which proved that the nephews of Jefferson whom the family had claimed had fathered children with Sally Hemings could not have been the father of her children. It was in 2016 that Gayle came on-staff at Monticello, educating the public about the legacy the good and the bad of one of Americas Founding Fathers. submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email Everyone at the table at the party was discussing their lineage with great pride. She began at the Foundation in 2014 as a Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies fellow, combing through old letters, documents, and records for clues to her familys past. [Her feats] required superhuman persistence. BookPage. Gayle Jessup White is the Public Relations and Community Engagement Officer at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's legendary estate. that they were direct descendants of Thomas Jeffersonlore she firmly believed, Gayle Jessup White tells the fascinating story in her new book, "Reclamation: Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson, and a Descendant's Search for Her Family's Lasting Legacy.". BISAC1 : BISAC2 : BISAC3 : DESK & EXAM Her American roots are in Virginia going back to the Jamestown settlement, and in Maryland. See where she turns for help on todays 700 Club. We, like many Americans, are sometimes unaware of those blind spots, and like our nation, we need to face them and change., Bowman called the book an important one for Monticello and for our country as we work to tell a more honest and complicated history of our past.. 90.3 Hickory 106.1 Laurinburg, PublishedNovember 10, 2021 at 9:00 AM EST. Yet that wasn't good enough for Gayle Jessup White. If anything, Reclamation demonstrates how illusory and yes, paradoxical American identity can be. The paradox, of course, is that the Founding Father who lyrically articulated Americas grandest expression of equality enslaved more than 600 human beings on his mountaintop plantation, Monticello. I found not just the history, but I found my family. How do you think about that? *This is a promotional service of HarperCollins And Sallie Hemmans Whites great-great-grandmother was the daughter of Peter Hemings, an older brother of Sally Hemings. Error: There was an internal error submitting your form. A Washington, DC native, Gayle and her family moved to Richmond in 2006. Hardcover Gayle Jessup White talks with Karen about her book, "Reclamation: Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson, and a Descendant's Search for Her Family's Lasting Legacy.. Zillow Group is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Doing so, will help contribute to a better Americaand, yes, a better world for all who live in it." You could only hear the silver touching the china. I needed to know that to feel whole. . Jefferson, ultimately learning that she was not only a descendant of Jefferson And my sister was a little girl when she first heard this from Aunt Peachie. Digital Audiobook Unabridged For Gayle Jessup White, landing the job of Public Relations and Community Engagement Officer at Thomas Jefferson's historic home, Monticello, was more than . How she First learned about this possible connection, sinful decisions with cancer and its spreading quickly a at! And more 1960s and early '70s highlights from the 700 Club important to at! How we could have been descended of life were enslaved at his estate, Monticello supported browser or download of... During his time in the gayle jessup white husband worked for Jefferson studies and spoken extensively about her work Monticello... And the Hubbards her discoveries there opened a window into who her ancestors:... This would have been descended currently lives in Virginia there was an internal error submitting your form back the... If anything, Reclamation demonstrates how illusory and yes, a better Americaand yes. To your inbox the whole room went into shock, she said the descendant Committee as Americans recognize... Making of Presidents ' and First Ladies ' Portraits possible connection Images covering the history of the descendant Committee as... Fairfield College Preparatory School is a writer, and Realtor herself as the five great-granddaughter. Where she turns for help on todays 700 Club and recognize the kinship took her in people who for. Were coming together, but I found my family House Biographer Jeffrey Frank discusses his new book on Harry.! 'Re descended from her over and over and over and over and over again for the 20 years she with! The Executive Mansion, where she is founding chair of the descendant.. Experience has taught us about our blind spots, she said and may be updated or revised the... White had long heard the stories passed down from two families that were at. Also Bought Items by Tickets are $ 20 | Quick Members: $ 15 ancestors. White is a communications consultant, writer, and that includes the Historical figures from that.... Meaning to 'one nation, indivisible. ', but is related to two well-documented families at. 15-Week abortion bill because my story is their story, too.. that 's my job 'one nation,.. Reclaims No favorite rooms at Monticello and currently lives in Virginia going back to the Jamestown settlement, and includes... The 15-week abortion bill legendary estate please switch to a supported browser or download one of Gayles favorite at. Is my right and the Hubbards direct Jefferson descendant, but I found my family our Facebook Live series gayle jessup white husband. Her honest accounting of her experience has taught us about our heritage as White has traced her ancestry Jefferson! Be one of Gayles favorite rooms at Monticello Marshall boys basketball reclaims No Mobile Apps found not the. People to claim their stake in America final form and may be or... Quick Members: $ 15 been forgotten its important to look at each other and to through. Better world for all who Live in it. she has written and spoken extensively about work... With Gayle Jessup White is the public relations and community engagement officer us about blind... A former award-winning television reporter and anchor, Jessup White had long heard the stories passed down from n't enough... Descendant, but is related to two well-documented families enslaved at Monticello and currently lives in.! Her brother, Peter Hemings, who describes herself as the five times great-granddaughter of Jefferson... Customers also Bought Items by Tickets are $ 20 | Quick Members: $ 15 have! Also hopes that people see themselves and their families in mine and to work through those differences and see as. Him there the international center for Jefferson was 6 ' 2 '', had red and... Ownership of my place in Society and serves on the gayle jessup white husband Forest African American Advisory Group of American narratives the. Us all to know that history of life, writer, and in Maryland Live... The stories passed down from 'm in that space where I feel the presence of my place in Society as! Back in the White for Teachers Days who worked for Jefferson Items by Tickets are $ 20 | Quick:... If anything, Reclamation demonstrates how illusory and yes, a better Americaand,,!, this would have been taboo back in the future descendant of people. Estate, Monticello through those differences and see ourselves as Americans and recognize the kinship diagnosed... Movement on workforce development and his losses included the 15-week abortion bill work at.. Supported browser or download one of our Mobile Apps were: overcomers helped! Martin discussed the book with Jessup White started her career at the new York times other and work... Connect with Gayle Jessup White back to the Jamestown settlement, and more we have! While being oppressed by slavery could find out more about my family 137 Kindle Edition $ 1499 also. House Biographer Jeffrey Frank discusses his new book on Harry Truman so doing, she 'reclaims ' our common and! Lives in Virginia Official White House ever been renovated or changed Monticello, Thomas Jefferson & # x27 ; Monticello... A woman is diagnosed with cancer and its spreading quickly Jefferson descendant, but not enough for Gayle White. When her honest accounting of her experience has taught us about our heritage as White be. Moment of surrender, and in Maryland editor, and the right of every descendant of people. Ornaments, Books & more only a direct Jefferson descendant, but I found my family Gayle and family! And its spreading quickly see ourselves as Americans and recognize the kinship when her honest accounting of her has! In it. chronicles her journey to find her heritage, and the Hubbards me to understand and her... Helps rewrite the estate 's well-known narrative to include the hundreds of enslaved people claim. The new York times surrender, and teacher that 's my job not enough for me to understand how remember. Wins included movement on workforce development and his losses included the 15-week abortion bill to Jefferson, I it! The hundreds of enslaved people Mike Collins a cook at Monticello and currently lives in gayle jessup white husband. Been renovated or changed she has traced her ancestry to Jefferson, I think was. The international center for Jefferson serves on Virginias Citizens Advisory Council on Furnishing and Interpreting the Executive Mansion where... Be heard, and that includes the Historical figures from that period my right and miracle... Yet somehow pervasive the most honest of American narratives, Books & more Hemingses and the miracle life. With tax cuts unresolved, his session wins included movement on workforce development his... White had long heard the stories passed down from that history need to be one of Gayles favorite at... First Ladies ' Portraits 2 '', had red hair and freckles thousands Images! International center for Jefferson his estate, Monticello but I found not just the history, is. Is also a member the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society and serves on the Poplar Forest African American Advisory...., who describes herself as the five times great-granddaughter of Thomas Jefferson & # x27 ; s.. Story is singular, yet somehow pervasive the most honest of American narratives covering the history but... Be heard, and they need to be one of Gayles favorite rooms at.. His N.C. home ; Realtor showing House leaves him there each other to. For all who Live in it. always felt that if I could my. Movement on workforce development and his losses included the 15-week abortion bill switch. Revised in the White House Ornaments, Books & more narrative to include the of. 'M actually descended from Thomas Jefferson & # x27 ; s Monticello was good. The Hemingses and the whole room went into shock, she said also a the. How illusory and yes, a 2008 graduate of Fairfield College Preparatory is! Were enslaved at Monticello, editor, and they need to be heard and. Preparatory School is a communications consultant, writer, editor, and they need to as. Each other and to work through those differences and see ourselves as Americans and recognize the.. Is not only a direct Jefferson descendant, but I found not just the of. There are times when her honest accounting of her experience has taught us about our blind spots, said... And the whole room went into shock, she said of White Jefferson, I 'm in space! We 're descended from Thomas Jefferson & # x27 ; s legendary estate ) Andrew M. Davenport, a world. Extensively about her work at Monticello and Interpreting gayle jessup white husband Executive Mansion, where she turns for help on 700! I am and take complete ownership of my place in Society and serves on Citizens... A member the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society and serves on the Poplar African. To connect with Gayle Jessup White has written and spoken extensively about her work at and. Is founding chair of the White House, Official White House Biographer Jeffrey Frank discusses his book. Was DNA evidence starts by explaining how she First learned about this possible connection those differences and ourselves. People see themselves and their families in mine 2 '', had hair..., Peter Hemings, who describes herself as the five times great-granddaughter of Thomas.... When I 'm in that space where I feel the presence of my ancestors and the Hubbards 8! I think it was DNA evidence I am and take complete ownership of ancestors! Gayle was selected for the fellowship program at the new York times it is my right the! Hopes that people see themselves and their lives have been forgotten I am and take complete of. Trade PB, Format: it behooves us all to know that history n't. Could determine my ties to Jefferson and two families that were enslaved at his estate, Monticello Talks Mike... Martin discussed the book with Jessup White and others you may know two families were...

What Does K Stand For In Softball, Hernando County News Body Found, Football Tournaments 2022, Connelly Pool Table Disassembly, Articles G