Visit our Exhibition in Washington, DC: Jan 27 - Oct 14, 2012
Jefferson’s Monticello - Home Explore Plantation & Slavery companion websites
  • Get Email Updates
  • Sign-in
Getting Word: African American Families of Monticello
  • Hear Stories
  • Explore Families
  • Meet People
  • Discover Places
  • Visit Monticello
AddThis Sign-in to Favorite Share Print
< back to Meet People

Patti Jo Medley Harding

Harding-Patti-Jo.jpg
Patti Jo Medley Harding, 1993

Family: Hemings, Madison

Residence (at time of interview): Chillicothe, OH

Patti Jo Harding became the family historian and, with the help of her cousin Diana Redman and Getting Word consultant, Beverly Gray, has been gathering information from courthouses and graveyards to understand the rich history of her family.  She was present at the very first Getting Word interview, with other members of her family.  She said, “Everybody keeps talking about Thomas Jefferson, … but I'd like to find out more about Sally.”

 

 

Interview Information

28 Dec. 1993, Chillicothe, OH
Interviewees: George Pettiford, Jacqueline Pettiford, Ann Medley, Patti Jo Harding, Tony Medley

19 July 1995, Chillicothe, OH
Interviewees: Diana Redman, Rosemary Ghoston
Also present: Patti Jo Harding, Monica Steed, Beverly Gray, Terry Leonard

Excerpts

(audio)
"In your mind you just go back"

George "Jack" Pettiford and Ann Medley describe visiting Monticello and thinking about their ancestors' lives on the plantation.

Theme: Monticello

Show MoreHide
(audio)
"You'd get it from both ways"

Ann Medley, George "Jack" Pettiford and Patti Jo Harding discuss having their race called into question by both African Americans and whites.

Themes: Racial Identity, Racial Prejudice

Show MoreHide
(audio)
"They don't even know"

Ann Medley, George "Jack" Pettiford, and Patti Jo Harding discuss relatives who have passed as white and no longer acknowledge their African American heritage.

Theme: Racial Identity

Show MoreHide
Transcript:

 

 

Ancestry

  • Elizabeth Hemings 1735–1807 John Wayles 1715–1773
  •  
  • Sally Hemings 1773–1835
  •  
  • Madison Hemings 1805–1877
  •  
  • Sarah Hemings Byrd 1835–1884
  •  
  • Patti Jo Harding

Related People

  • Ann Medley mother
  • George Pettiford uncle
  • Diana Redman  cousin
Jefferson’s Monticello - Home
Facebook YouTube Twitter Flickr
  • Home
  • About
  • Press
  • Donate
  • Sponsors
monticello.org UNESCO World Heritage List