Monticello Slaves Who Gained Freedom, 
1794-1827
Jefferson
freed two slaves in his lifetime and five in his will. Three
others ran away and were not pursued. (Still others successfully
ran away despite pursuit.)
All nine freed with Jefferson's consent were members of the Hemings family; the seven he officially freed were all skilled tradesmen. About 130 Monticello slaves were sold at estate sales after Jefferson's death.
Freed by Jefferson during his lifetime:
- Robert Hemings (1762-1819), freed 1794
- James Hemings (1765-1801), freed 1796
Freed in 1826-1827, by the terms of Jefferson's will:
- Joseph (Joe) Fossett (1780-1858)
- Burwell Colbert (1783-1850+)
- Madison Hemings (1805-1856)
- John Hemmings (1776-1833)
- Eston Hemings (1808-1856)
Left Monticello, with Jefferson's tacit consent, in 1804 and 1822:
- James Hemings (born 1787)
- Beverly Hemings (born 1798)
- Harriet Hemings (born 1801)
- Peter Farley Fossett
(1815-1901), freedom purchased
by his father (Joseph Fossett) his family, and
friends of Thomas Jefferson in 1850.
Peter Hemings (1770-1834+)
Robert Hughes (1824-1895), freed by Emancipation
Elizabeth-Ann Fossett Isaacs (1812-1902), freedom purchased
by her father, Joseph Fossett.
Henry Martin (1826-1915), freed by Emancipation
Other Monticello slaves who gained freedom after being sold
following Jefferson's death (not a complete list):
--Monticello Research Department, March 3, 1999