Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson

Our founding fathers were great people who were responsible for the freedom we enjoy today. Although our founding fathers were great men they were not always ethical.

Thomas Jefferson, a lawyer from Virginia, was one the founding members. Jefferson was a notable political leader in the state of Virginia when he was elected to the Continental Congress. There he would write the Declaration of Independence and mentor a young James Madison. Jefferson was our first the first Secretary of State in President Washington's Cabinet. After a disagreement with Alexander Hamilton, he resigned the position in 1793. Later Jefferson became our third United States President. Jefferson was a great politician

Jefferson's personal life was much more colorful. Martha, his first wife died in 1782. On her deathbed he made a promise to never marry another woman. Jefferson and his wife Martha had five daughters and a son together. It has been said Jefferson expected perfection from his children and that Jefferson told one daughter he loved her only under the condition that she did not discuss him.

After his wife's passing Jefferson fell in love with another woman, which was married. Her name was Maria Cosway. Jefferson wrote to her often but their love was never consummated. Later, he met a slave named Sally Hemings. She was the traveling companion of his daughter. Jefferson and Sally Hemings became lovers and had four children. There relationship was never acknowledged and. The four children were given their freedom at the age of twenty-one.

Coincidentally, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died July 4, 1826 exactly 50 years to the day of signing the Declaration of Independence.