The One and Only Mrs. Jefferson
a true historical romance59 total reviews
Comment from Linda England Bonam
I normally don't review long stories, or chapters, since I am a poet, I normally review poetry. I found your story and decided to try it out. I found myself very intrigued with this particular story, and read the whole thing. You did a nice job of telling an interesting story about the Jeffersons. I knew very little about them before this story, so I will call it a learning experience for myself, too. Very nice job!
reply by the author on 19-Feb-2012
  |
I normally don't review long stories, or chapters, since I am a poet, I normally review poetry. I found your story and decided to try it out. I found myself very intrigued with this particular story, and read the whole thing. You did a nice job of telling an interesting story about the Jeffersons. I knew very little about them before this story, so I will call it a learning experience for myself, too. Very nice job!
Comment Written 19-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 19-Feb-2012
-
Thank you for taking the time to read my post, Linda. I sure appreciate the support and generous rating! Kind regards, Bev
Comment from Kate Walker
Hi,
A fascinating and touching love story, well pieced together and well told. You picked high-interest, related elements and wove them together seamlessly in a complete mini-tale. I felt I got a quick, yet in-depth look at the Jeffersons. A great read.
Kate
reply by the author on 19-Feb-2012
|
Hi,
A fascinating and touching love story, well pieced together and well told. You picked high-interest, related elements and wove them together seamlessly in a complete mini-tale. I felt I got a quick, yet in-depth look at the Jeffersons. A great read.
Kate
Comment Written 19-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 19-Feb-2012
-
Thank you so very much, Kate. I'm glad you found the story of Martha and Thomas interesting and worthy of such a generous review. Kind regards, Bev
Comment from misscookie
I found your story very interesting and edcuational. Specially for the young generations. I love how the story moved. yet I upset me in certain areas, Being a woman of color . Just to think those things happen than and are still going on. Many think put we were free life was easy itl's no more easy now as it was then yes we can come through the front door and go many places . still there is ingrant people who still have hate. I feel we the people of color are still treated liker slave only it has a new name. yes we have our first black presuident of the unted staes but he can;'t do most of the thingsghe want because it still has tooass by others who refuse to help ths couyntry fearing tey will lose their power and riches so the president is wearing invisiable shakses and I'm wearing them to in 2012 it's a shame. . Sorry I got of the poem but this is very deep to me.
I winder uif any other readers express their true feeling .
thank you for sharing. this is a great write.
reply by the author on 19-Feb-2012
 |
I found your story very interesting and edcuational. Specially for the young generations. I love how the story moved. yet I upset me in certain areas, Being a woman of color . Just to think those things happen than and are still going on. Many think put we were free life was easy itl's no more easy now as it was then yes we can come through the front door and go many places . still there is ingrant people who still have hate. I feel we the people of color are still treated liker slave only it has a new name. yes we have our first black presuident of the unted staes but he can;'t do most of the thingsghe want because it still has tooass by others who refuse to help ths couyntry fearing tey will lose their power and riches so the president is wearing invisiable shakses and I'm wearing them to in 2012 it's a shame. . Sorry I got of the poem but this is very deep to me.
I winder uif any other readers express their true feeling .
thank you for sharing. this is a great write.
Comment Written 19-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 19-Feb-2012
-
Hi, misscookie. The treatment of female slaves, as evidenced by the story of Thomas and his father-in-law is, I agree, appalling. It's not like they had any way of escaping the so-called affections of these men. All of Sally Hemmings's children were treated very well in the Jefferson household, and set free upon his death. Still, it doesn't make up for a terrible injustice that still has many repercussions today. I, personally, can't fathom keeping another human being as a piece of property and wish that we could go back in time and wipe the slate clean. President Obama, I believe, is a good man. In all his time in office, not a single whisper of infidelity has, or will emerge. He's a good man, a loving father and husband. Seems that's not enough for some folks. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and concerns with me, misscookie. I'm very honored by that. Love and blessings, Bev
-
I hank you for your understanding this world needs more p[eople like you in it. I know there are plenty but fear to express what t feel or think.
-
As long as human beings judge each other by virtue of their physical sight, I fear there will always be predjudice of some type or another. It's sad that your scars remain still so vivid. You're a lovely woman and generous spirit. It's an honor to know you. Hugs, Bev
-
Thank you for your kind words . One can forgive but not forget. Know see my scars for they are on the inside. On the outside I try to give love, respect and diginty to others and pray I get it back in return. and it's rare I don't.But when I do I smile and say I pity you fool but I'll pray for you.
-
You have a wonderful attitude, misscookie. God Bless...Bev
-
Thank you. And I thank the Lord for keeping me and making me strong. Maybe thats why I keep a smile on my face and a song in my heart. My daughter told me once mamnaythings not a joke or funny.
I told here life is a joke and people are very funny. so I can't help from being this way.
Comment from robina1978
I had never heard of this before, but it is a very intriguing story. It might sound harsh in bits, but very understandable. Pity he forgot to free her. This must have been the way things went in those days and maybe still.
reply by the author on 19-Feb-2012
|
I had never heard of this before, but it is a very intriguing story. It might sound harsh in bits, but very understandable. Pity he forgot to free her. This must have been the way things went in those days and maybe still.
Comment Written 19-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 19-Feb-2012
-
Thank you so much, Ine. I'm glad you found the story interesting and worth spending your time reading. Hugs, Bev
-
Certainly did. Love and hugs, Ine
Comment from IndianaIrish
You made reading this bit of a history lesson very interesting and I read with an eagerness, Bev. What a story about the three of them. What happened to the children of Sally and Thomas?
Karyn :>)
reply by the author on 19-Feb-2012
|
You made reading this bit of a history lesson very interesting and I read with an eagerness, Bev. What a story about the three of them. What happened to the children of Sally and Thomas?
Karyn :>)
Comment Written 19-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 19-Feb-2012
-
Hi, Karyn. Thank you so much for this splendid review. I really appreciate it. The children of Thomas and Sally were treated very well in the Jefferson household and taught many skills that probably assisted them in integrating into white society once they were all set free. It is possible that Sally was not freed by Jefferson at his death because of a law in Virginia that required freed slaves to leave their 'homes' one year from the time they were freed. Since Sally had really only had one home all her life - Monticello - she would have had to leave it at the age of 54. So, what seems a cruel act may have been an act of mercy. Good to hear from you, Karyn! Hugs, Bev
Comment from AlvinTEthington
I quite enjoyed this. Did not one of Jefferson's daughters, the one who served in place of a First Lady (I think it was Patsy) when Jefferson was President, resent Sally Hemmings? Also, did Thomas Jefferson serve only in the House of Delegates after 1776--before that, it was named the House of Burgesses, I believe? The story flows quite well and I enjoyed reading it.
I'll be in touch soon about times for the senryu class.
reply by the author on 19-Feb-2012
|
I quite enjoyed this. Did not one of Jefferson's daughters, the one who served in place of a First Lady (I think it was Patsy) when Jefferson was President, resent Sally Hemmings? Also, did Thomas Jefferson serve only in the House of Delegates after 1776--before that, it was named the House of Burgesses, I believe? The story flows quite well and I enjoyed reading it.
I'll be in touch soon about times for the senryu class.
Comment Written 19-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 19-Feb-2012
-
Hi, Alvin. Patsy Jefferson did fill in as first lady on occasion. She and her father were very close. As to her feelings about him, it would be a supposition on my part to say she resented Sally. But my instinct is Hell, Yes. You read my mind on the class bit, I was just going to PM you today as to whether we'll be going ahead with just two. With your essay, I hope we get a few more. Thanks so much, Alvin. I appreciate the great review. Warm regards, Bev
-
I do have, I think, a commitment from one other student. In this economy, people are waiting until the end/beginning of the months to spend money. Of course I would go ahead with just two. Please tell anyone you know that you would think would be interested in the class about the class.
-
Thanks, Alvin. That's good to know and makes sense. Bev
Comment from axelbeariter
Sally Hemmings came to be in Jefferson's household by virture of being half-sister and domestic servant to the one and only Mrs. Jefferson - Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson./virture should read virtue. You refer to Sally Hemmkings in this passage, but on several other instances you've written Sally Hemming. I know schools no longer teach history (a shame), but ass I recall from my prep school days of the late '40s, her name was Hemmings. Let me know if I'm correct. You've done a comprehensive study on Jefferson's life. It seems, Bill Clinton was a choirboy by comparison to him. You've done a great job on this. I'm curious. What was your motivation for writing about him?
reply by the author on 19-Feb-2012
|
Sally Hemmings came to be in Jefferson's household by virture of being half-sister and domestic servant to the one and only Mrs. Jefferson - Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson./virture should read virtue. You refer to Sally Hemmkings in this passage, but on several other instances you've written Sally Hemming. I know schools no longer teach history (a shame), but ass I recall from my prep school days of the late '40s, her name was Hemmings. Let me know if I'm correct. You've done a comprehensive study on Jefferson's life. It seems, Bill Clinton was a choirboy by comparison to him. You've done a great job on this. I'm curious. What was your motivation for writing about him?
Comment Written 19-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 19-Feb-2012
-
Thanks so much for cathing the SPAG's, axel. Sharp eye! The correct name IS Hemmings. I'm considering doing a series on the wives of Presidents. When I came across the story of Martha Jefferson, I couldn't believe how little attention is paid to this women who gave so much, even her life, to the man whose greatness is celebrated around the world.
I really appreciate this superb review and your assistance in 'trimming' it up! Kind regards, Bev
-
She's not known much, becauase she never made ice cream like Dolly Madison did. Axel
Comment from Connie C
What an interesting story this is, Bev. I had no idea about any of this regarding Thomas Jefferson and his marriage as well as his relationship with Sally Hemming. How sad for her that she never experienced life as a free woman. You've done a remarkable job, my friend, of sharing this account, and I couldn't stop reading it--it was so telling. Makes me want to go back and brush up on my history--well maybe "brush up" isn't the right expression since I doubt I ever learned about this to begin with! Thank you for sharing this wonderfully written story that flowed so well. I wish I could give this a six, but I don't have any left for the week. You should be proud of this! Connie xoxo
reply by the author on 19-Feb-2012
|
What an interesting story this is, Bev. I had no idea about any of this regarding Thomas Jefferson and his marriage as well as his relationship with Sally Hemming. How sad for her that she never experienced life as a free woman. You've done a remarkable job, my friend, of sharing this account, and I couldn't stop reading it--it was so telling. Makes me want to go back and brush up on my history--well maybe "brush up" isn't the right expression since I doubt I ever learned about this to begin with! Thank you for sharing this wonderfully written story that flowed so well. I wish I could give this a six, but I don't have any left for the week. You should be proud of this! Connie xoxo
Comment Written 18-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 19-Feb-2012
-
Thank you, Connie. I've had this story knocking around in my head for months. It seems that Martha wanted her story told and wasn't going to be happy until I wrote it. I am really honored by your outstanding review. Your support is worth a passel of sixes, my friend. Thanks so much! Hugs, Bev
Comment from wordsfromsue
This was interesting. I can't say I knew much about Thomas Jefferson. You have a way of imparting information in an easy to read way.
Some people can just be dry as chalk with history!
Good article for President's Day coming up.
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2012
|
This was interesting. I can't say I knew much about Thomas Jefferson. You have a way of imparting information in an easy to read way.
Some people can just be dry as chalk with history!
Good article for President's Day coming up.
Comment Written 18-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2012
-
Thank you very much, sue, for your wonderful review. I really appreciate you stopping by. Warm regards, Bev
Comment from Jeanie Mercer
Bev, how I enjoyed reading this interesting bit of history. Most of what I've heard about the "mistress" of Thomas Jefferson has been said with a snicker or a tut-tut. You are an excellent writer, Bev. Love, Jeanie
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2012
|
Bev, how I enjoyed reading this interesting bit of history. Most of what I've heard about the "mistress" of Thomas Jefferson has been said with a snicker or a tut-tut. You are an excellent writer, Bev. Love, Jeanie
Comment Written 18-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2012
-
Thank you so very much, Jeanie. I was really moved by Martha's story. I think that Sally is the woman most people associate with Jefferson and I thought it might be nice for people to become acquainted with his gentle and self-sacrificing spouse. Thanks so much for reading and support my writing, Jeanie. Love, Bev
