"He had that type of charisma"
Calvin Jefferson describes the achievements of his cousin George Harrod.
Theme: Achievement
J. Calvin Jefferson
Calvin Jefferson, who is descended from the Grangers as well as the Hemingses of Monticello, grew up in Washington, DC. After working for the U. S. Postal Service, he became an archivist for the National Archives and Records Administration, from which he retired in 2007 after thirty years. He did not learn of his family's connection to Monticello until 1996. He has a strong interest in his family history and continues research on the Hemings family, particularly Betty Brown and her descendants.
Interview Information
25 Jan. 1998, Washington, DC
Interviewees: Bessie Baskerville Dorsey, Calvin Jefferson, Joyce Harrod
Excerpts
"Nobody is better than you"
Calvin Jefferson notes the sense of pride and drive to succeed that was passed down in the Hughes family.
Theme: Family
"They told me I needed to talk to Aunt Bessie"
Calvin Jefferson describes finally learning of his Hughes ancestors and their connection to Monticello from his cousin, Bessie Baskerville Dorsey.
Theme: Oral History Transmission
"He trusted Monticello to Great George"
Calvin Jefferson considers Jefferson's views about African Americans in light of the responsibility he entrusted to George Granger.
Theme: Monticello
"It still had an effect on us"
J. Calvin Jefferson discusses the way the past affects the desendants of enslaved people.
Themes: Family, Oral History Transmission
"Everybody’s done well"
Calvin Jefferson and Bessie Dorsey describe their pride in their family's accomplishments and the importance of learning about their ancestors.
Theme: Family
Ancestry
- Elizabeth Hemings 1735–1807
- Betty Brown 1759–post 1831
- Wormley Hughes 1782–1858
- Robert Hughes 1824–1895
- J. Calvin Jefferson 1946–
Related People
- Bessie Baskerville Dorsey cousin
- Joyce Dorsey Harrod cousin