As possibly the first to exhaustively research Randolph Jefferson and his four adult sons and publish about them as persons of interest in the Jefferson–Hemings controversy, I’m offended by Mr. Crawford’s misguided comments.

Jefferson scholars have known for 50 years that Randolph Jefferson could have fathered children by Sally Hemings. But Annette Gordon–Reed, Fawn Brodie, Helen Leary, and Monticello have ignored this.

So credulous historians now echo the bogus charge that Randolph’s name was grasped in desperation to save his older brother Thomas’ reputation.

Numerous unresolved contradictions block certainty about who fathered Eston, the only Hemings child known to be connected to Jefferson DNA. But two letters show that Thomas sent Randolph money and instructions for buying and delivering grass seed to Monticello about when Eston was conceived.

Thomas’ “we shall be happy to see you also” implies an expectation that Randolph would visit, as usual, while his twin sister was there. Randolph would have visited to say goodbye to close family members who were moving West.

Randolph was a 52-year-old widower when Eston was conceived, and was still producing children seven years later. He had a reputation for energetic socializing with Monticello slaves and for fathering children with slaves.

A court record states that Randolph was a kind man, but he was easily influenced. Was he influenced by his white militia friends with black mistresses at Monticello?

DNA, oral traditions, reputation, and documentary evidence point to the unmarried Randolph as the most logical father of Eston. Thomas, then age 64, experienced severe rheumatism at the time Eston and at least one other Hemings child were conceived. Evidence suggests his fertility had been waning for 30 years.

Recently, Monticello escalated its position, asserting that “most historians” believe Thomas Jefferson fathered every Hemings child.

Have historians been polled? Have all believing historians studied the evidence?

Given Gordon–Reed’s condemnation of paternity disbelievers as racists, would disbelievers speak up?

In the long list of possible paternity candidates, each deserves respect. In my 2005 book, “Jefferson Vindicated,” each gets respect.

Cynthia H. Burton

Keswick