Abstract
The DNA analysis of Y-chromosome haplotypes used by Foster et al.1 to evaluate Thomas Jefferson's alleged paternity of Eston Hemings Jefferson, the last child of his slave Sally Hemings, is impressive. However, the authors did not consider all the data at hand in interpreting their results.
Main
No mention was made of Thomas Jefferson's brother Randolph (1757-1815), or of his five sons2, 3. Sons of Sally Hemings conceived by Randolph (or by one of his sons) would produce a Y-chromosome analysis identical to that described by Foster et al. Further collaborative data (for example, the whereabouts of any of those who might have been involved at conception) are needed to confirm that Jefferson did indeed father his slave's last child, as claimed in the title. We know Thomas Jefferson was there, but how about Randolph Jefferson and his sons?
References
Foster, E. A.et al. Nature 396, 27–28 ( 1998).
Mayo, B. & Bear, J. A. Jr Thomas Jefferson and his Unknown Brother (Univ. Press of Virginia, Charlottesville, 1981).
Brodie, F. M. Thomas Jefferson: An Intimate History (Norton, New York, 1974).
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Abbey, D. The Thomas Jefferson paternity case. Nature 397, 32 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/16177
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/16177
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