James Hemings (1765-1801) became the property of Thomas
Jefferson in January of 1774 when the estate of John Wayles,
Jefferson's father-in-law, was settled. He was nine years old at
this time. Later that year, James and his brother Robert were
taken to Monticello. Known also as Jemmy, Jim, Jamey, and Jame,
this young slave would grow up serving Jefferson as house
servant, messenger, driver, traveling attendant, and eventually
chef. He was freed by Jefferson in 1796 and died five years
later, an apparent suicide. James Hemings was one of twelve
children of Elizabeth (Betty) Hemings. James's mother was said
to be the daughter of a "full-blooded African" and a white sea
captain, and the property of John Wayles, "a Welchman."  Wayles
was a lawyer, wealthy Virginia landowner, and involved with the
slave trade. Madison stated that Betty Hemings became Wayles's
concubine sometime following the death of his third wife. James
was the second oldest of the six children that union was said to
have produced. John Wayles w