Eston Hemings Jefferson Pearson - Forest Hill Cemetery

Eston Hemings Jefferson Jul 1808 - Jan 3, 1856
Julia Anne (wife of E. H. Jefferson) 1814 - 1889

In 1998 DNA evidence confirmed that Eston was a
direct descendant of President Thomas Jefferson and
his slave, Sally Hemings. Sally was the half-sister of
his wife, Martha. Eston became a free man when Sally died and was required to move from Virginia by the law of manumission.

Eston and Julia moved to Madison in the fall of 1852. It was at this time he changed his name from Eston Hemings to E. H. Jefferson. It is believed that Eston "passed" as white so his family would have more opportunities, separating himself from his black family.

Eston died of smallpox only four years later. Originally buried in the Village Cemetery, his remains were moved here.

Both sons, Beverly and John, fought in a Wisconsin regiment during the Civil War and later became successful hoteliers in downtown Madison. John had one of the largest carriage businesses in Wisconsin.