| First Name | Mary |
| Surnames | Hemmings Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 24 |
| Bell Partner’s surname. Getting Word: Mary Hemings Bell |
|
| Gender | Female |
| Birth Information | 1753 Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 24 |
| Thomas Jefferson documents the people he enslaves across his properties, noting if someone is engaged in agriculture, a tradesperson, or is unable to work. 45 people are recorded at Monticello. Marked as "a titheable person following some other occupation" | |
| Role | Enumerated |
| Listed With | Martin Hemings (b. 1755)Robert Hemmings (1762-1819)James Hemings (1765-1801)Betty Brown (1759-1831) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 15 |
| Thomas Jefferson records the distribution of blankets and beds to people at Monticello. | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Listed With | Martin Hemings (b. 1755)Robert Hemmings (1762-1819)Betty Brown (1759-1831) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 19 |
| Five people at Wingo’s are transferred to Thomas Jefferson in the division of his father’s estate. Marked as "a titheable person following some other occupation." | |
| From Enslaver | John Wayles (1715-1773) |
| To Enslaver | Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) |
| Role | Sold Or Transferred |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 11 |
| Thomas Jefferson documents the people he enslaves across his properties. He records 129 people in Albemarle County, but only 128 names are visible on the manuscript. | |
| Role | Enumerated |
| Listed With | Daniel Farley (1772-1838)Molly Hemings (b. 1777)Joseph Fossett (1780-1858) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 24 |
| Mary Hemings Bell and her two children are sold by Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Bell, at her request. | |
| From Enslaver | Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) |
| To Enslaver | Thomas Bell |
| Role | Sold Or Transferred |
| Listed With | Robert Washington Bell (b. 1787)Sarah Jefferson Bell Scott |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 25 Thomas Jefferson to Nicholas Lewis, 12 April 1792 |
| People participate in the grain harvest at the South Field. Assigned as plougher | |
| Role | Laborer |
| Occupation: | Farm Laborer |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 58 |
| People work in the crop harvest. Assigned as plougher | |
| Role | Laborer |
| Occupation: | Farm Laborer |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 58 |
© 2026 Thomas Jefferson Foundation. Getting Word: African American History at Monticello is supported by the Mellon Foundation