Betty Hemings

Biography

Betty Hemings (1735-1807) was an enslaved woman at Monticello whose skilled work in the household and hearth sustained Thomas Jefferson's estate and whose matriarchal strength nurtured a large family.

As a member of the Hemings family, she navigated unimaginable hardships while ensuring her children were cared for and often positioned to shape the next generation's history, leaving an indelible mark on the community that honored her memory.