Jefferson and Hemings

[scout1067]

A new book is apparently casting new doubt that Jefferson was the father of Sally Hemings' children.  This will throw the debate over this wide open again.  Personally I don't think he was the father of ALL of her kids, it is plausible he sired a few though.  The truth will probably never be known because of its distance in the past and the lack of realy good evidence.
I especially liked this post-modern quote in the article:

The debate has raged for years, fueled in part by the thorny questions of slavery and race in American history and by the paradox of Jefferson himself, whose stirring rhetoric in the Declaration of Independence seemed belied by his ownership of slaves.

Based on prevailing morality at the time, there was no disconnect between the rhetoric of the Declaration and owning slaves.

[Vulture6]

I read a study a few years ago (afraid that there is near zero chance I can find it again, so you'll have to take this as an undocumented source  - or seek to research it yourself) that stated that it is equally plausible from the DNA evidence that Randolph Jefferson (Thomas' younger brother) was the Jefferson ancestor who contributed DNA to the Hemmings line.  I seem to recall that there was (naturally) some controversy around this, and some sources even claimed that it was likely. 

Regardless, it seems that the Randolph Jefferson theory is plausible, and therefore, interjects "reasonable doubt" should there be any inquiry held to a legal standard.

[scout1067]

Did the Hemings ever go after the Jeffersons for a share of the original inheritance?  I seem to remember something about the Hemings' wanting to attend Jefferson family reunions but nothing about wanting any money.