Born: before 1793
Died: after 1803
Family relationship: Daughter of Thenia Hemings; sister of Lucy, Betsy, Susan, Sally and sibling born in 1795 (name and gender unknown)
Role: unknown
Mary Hemings was sold as a child to James Monroe in 1794, along with her mother Thenia (1767-1796) and four sisters. Initially, Mary and her family lived at Monroe’s property in Charlottesville which would eventually become the University of Virginia. After the death of Thenia Hemings in 1796, Mary and her sisters appear to have remained enslaved to the Monroes, likely residing either at the Charlottesville property or Highland. In 1801, Governor Monroe sold Mary to Samuel Coleman, resident of Henrico County and Assistant Clerk of the Council of State of Virginia. Two years later in 1803, Coleman manumitted Mary Hemings. Mary’s fate following manumission is unknown.
James Monroe to Thomas Jefferson
“Richmond July 23. 1793.
Mr. Lewis & Jones have valued Thena & her children but have not furnished me the statement. They will on my return. I am likewise in your debt for the Encyclopedia. Be so obliging as state in yr next the amount and I will include the whole in the same bond.”
Courtesy of Founders Online: https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-26-02-0491
James Monroe to Thomas Jefferson
“Baltimore June 17. 1794.
I have written to Colo. Lewis and Mr. Divers to intreat them to value Thena and her children and hope they will do it immediately.”
Courtesy of Founders Online: https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-28-02-0087
James Monroe to Joseph Jones
“Paris July 2. 1795
I receive no interest from Mr. Maury whilst I pay it to Col. Bell, & with every respect to the case of Mr. Jefferson the injury will perhaps be greater, depending on the principle adopted for the valuation of Thena & her children: for if the valuation is made at present, her family have grown up and is growing up at my expence and indeed risk (for if they were to die I sho’d insist on paying the am’t) whilst the money to pay for them is laying without bearing interest.”
Courtesy of the Papers of James Monroe: http://monroepapers.com/items/show/919
Joseph Jones to James Monroe
“Fredg 16th Janry 1796
Sukey being hired and Tenah disabled by sickness very little spinning went on only enough to cloath with frocks Tenahs Children & herself and under petticoats.”
Courtesy of the Papers of James Monroe: http://monroepapers.com/items/show/1058
James Monroe to Joseph Jones
“Paris Augt 1, 1796
We greatly lament the death of Thena. to her mistress & our child she is an irreparable loss. We hope her children are well taken care of, but indeed we know not well what had better be done with them. You will determine.”
Courtesy of the Papers of James Monroe: http://monroepapers.com/items/show/1157
Bill of Sale between James Monroe and Samuel Coleman
July 3, 1801
“Know all men by these present that I James Monroe of the City of Richmond for and in consideration of Ninety pounds to me in hand paid by Samuel Coleman of the County of Henrico … have bargained and sold and do by these present grant bargain sell and deliver unto the said Samuel Coleman one slave mulatto girl named Mary Hemings…”
Download the full document: https://highland.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/07.03.1801-MH-sale.pdf.
Courtesy of the Library of Virginia
Manumission of Mary Hemings by Samuel Coleman
February 5, 1803
“…I Samuel Coleman of the County of Henrico and Commonwealth of Virginia in pursuance of the high regard which I have to personal freedom myself, an ardent desire to see it pervade the World, and a determination as far as it may be in my power to promote it, do hereby emancipate, manumit and make free a certain mulatto girl slave named Mary Hemings who, and her posterity forever, shall, in pursuance of the law of the Commonwealth and by virtue of this Deed of emancipation enjoy and possess fully and freely her perfect freedom as far as it is in my power under the laws aforesaid to grant it.”
Download the full document: https://highland.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/02.05.1803-MH-manumission-Library-of-Virginia.pdf.
Courtesy of the Library of Virginia