Daily globe., 1879-04-27
is HE A SON OF JEFFERSON? ?
A Mulatto at Indianapolis Claiming t,
be the Son OF a President

OC CAC toOu VI IC5lucut,
From the Indisnsp polls Journal
A few days ago reporter of the Journal as.
certained that colored man in the employ of
Dr. w. q. Thompson was possessed of his
tory at once strange and interesting, and with
a view ofascertaining OF the facts connected with
this person, sought the Doctor out. "Yes,n
said he, in response to the reporters question,
u have in my employ an aged colored man.
who have no doubt Is the son of Thomas
J Jefferson, third President of the United
States; He has frequently told of his reason
Tor believing himself such, and | make no
DOUBT OF the truth OF his statements. [ have
known him Tor number of years, and would
believe the word Of Robert efferson as readi-
~ as would the cath of any man. He lives
at No. lS5 Minerva street, and will be pleased
to see you. Give him a call and hear what he
has to say"
Shortly after the hour of noon Yesterday
the reporter found himself on the corner Of
North and. Minerva streets, and, turning to
the left southwark, looked for the number to
which he had been directed. The second
house south of North street proved to be the
one for which he sought. Large evergreen
trees cast their shadows on the front Of the
house. q tWo-story frame, simple in architec
ture and neat in appearance. He knocked at
the door, and after moments pause the
summons was answered by a colored man,
rather below the medium height, apparently
TO years OF age, dark mulatto in
color, and with hair straight and black.
does" "And is this he?' at is. Won't YOU
come in ?" and the reporter entered.
The door opened into parlor, on the floor
OF which was carpet of modest design, and
which was well furnished Everything pre-
sented scrupulously neat and clean appear
ance, from the different articles of furniture
to the central object of attraction, their quaint
looking proprietor, Mr.. Jefferson himself.
The reporter made known his errand as he
seated himself On the sofa and watched the
effect OF the announcement on the gentleman.
He at first appeared surprised, and answered,
after some hesitation. YES. I believe I am
the son of Thomas Jefferson. I have eyerv
reason to believe him to be nv father, and no
reason to think to the contrary" After some
persuasion on the part of the interviewer, the
old gentleman continued
ut is a short story and easily told NV
mother was slave girl, a tall and handsome
woman. belonging to Mr. Christian Of Charles
town, Va. Thomas Jefferson and my moth
er's master were warm personal friends and
frequently exchanged visits, Mr.. Jefferson
passing good deal of his time in Charles
town and at Mr.. Christians house. My
mother was ole of the housemaids, and had
the care OF Mr.. Jefferson's apartments during
the time he passed at her masters house.
Her n:me was Milie Reddiford, and she was
Said to be very pretty woman in her young
days, although dark mu.atto in color. I
was born in the month of March, 1903, at
Charlestown, and am consequently rs years
old at the present time. I can remember my
have myself seen Thomas Jefferson. NY
mother and all OF her people always told me
that he was my father, and have no reason
to doubt them. My mother was then unmar-
ried, and Mr.. Christian himself said my name
was Jefferson, and he gave iMe the name
now bear, that of Robert Jefferson. Those
| are the reasons for believing myself his son,
su pose am really his otfspring.''
| Here the old gentleman ceased talking, and
only continued at the reporters request to
narrate the vicissitude CT his life and fortune.
When but child was sold with my m 9TH
er to man named stoval, and shortly after
ward resold to Asa Dearing. l don't know
| how much he gave for my mother, but I have
heard it said that the price laid down for me
was $3.50. Mr. Dearing died few years later.
and left me to his son John P. Dearing. They
were a family of great wealth.. and owned plan
tations at different places in the Southern
States One of these plantations furnished
employment for 700 slaves, and was left to
the brother OF my master. l was allowed a
great deal of liberty, and my master was al.
ways very kind to me. While at Athens, Ca,
| learned the carpenters trade, and was al
lowed many opportunities to make little
money working at my trade. His eldest son
and myself grew up together. and was in his
company as body-servant a great deal of the
| time. l met and became acquainted with
Senator Toombs of Georgia and Alexander
II. Stephens while in his company. Toombs
was in Franklin College when 1 met him
| My master used to say, and has often told me
that should never serve another after hie
death, and that he would give me my freedom
| before he died. But one afternoon he was
taken suddenly i'll, and before nine O'Clock
that night was corpse. l went to the oldest
son, the one with whom had associated as
boy, but he refused to give me my freedom
1 had set my heart on becoming free man
and / was not willing to give up the hope o
becoming such. had married then, and the
| thought of leaving my wife was out of the
question, so l began to make terms with my
new master for my freedom. We finally
agreed upon the price to be paid, and set t1
work at my trade to make the money. hat
already laid up something that had earned
during my spare moments, and my master
agreed to give me my time for one year to al
low me to raise the money. At the end O
that time had earned enough TO make the
required sum when placed with my little
store, and paid it over. I gave $2,764 fol
myself and 81 500 for my wife,
"This was in 1852, ard received my free
papers. Then l began thinking of coming
North to live, and finally set out for Canada
ana was in that country for short time. Be
fore leaving Canton, Miss, my masters home
drew from his pocket two letters, yellow with
age and well-worn, as if by frequent usage
one signed by about $50 Of The citizens of tha
city, the other by 0. r. Singleton, ex-membel
of Congress. The latter bears the date of July
90, 1852, and both speak in high terms o
Robert Jefferson, freeman OF unquestionet
integrity, and worthy OF confidence"
Continuing his story, he added: 81 cam'
to Madison, Ind, in 1856, and removed here tn,
year following. l built this Louise, then th'
only one anywhere near here, except an ole
farm. house. l saved what money could ant
educated my two daughters. One of then
married st. Louis man, the proprietor O
'Robinson's Tonsorial Parlor,' in that city
He died short time ago and she sold hia
shop for S1l 900, going to live with her sister
Mrs. Smith, who lives with her husband, in
Pana, Ill. My wife died five years ago, and
since that time have lived alone"
'You seem to keep everything neat and in
| good order," remarked the reporter.
eyes," continued Mr. Jefferson, 81 have al.
ways been accustomed to have everything
about me in good order, and cannot bear te
see things so dirty and uncaied for. It is
just as easy to keep things clean as it is to al
| low them to go unclean."
ssYou appear to be man of some aduca
ton" again put in the interviewer.
The old man smiled as he replied:
Il can neither read nor write. | was raised
among educated people, though, and was al
/ ways taught to speak properly"
81 am told that you are man of some prop
erty?' persisted the reporter.
"Well, I suppose have enough to keep me
from want" was the answer. | have some
property; I don't know what it is worth
Perhaps from 2O,O0O to S25JO0. My son-in
law Mr.. Smith, owns considerable propert,
here also. This lot adjoining mine is his"
How does it happen that you have beer
here SO long, and yet no one knew Of you
history, Mr.. Jeffersou?"
"Well never felt called upon to tell it.
don't know that everything consirered,
have anything to pride myself for. Besides,
dan,t L now as il m kes ueru 1nuch difle1 encf