William's mother Virginia Isaacs, also of mixed race, was born into slavery at Monticello, where she was a granddaughter of Joseph Fossett and great-granddaughter of Elizabeth Hemings; all owned by Thomas Jefferson.
William's mother Virginia Isaacs, also of mixed race, was born free in 1842 either Ohio or Virginia. Her mother was born into slavery at Monticello, where she was a daughter of Joseph Fossett and granddaughter of Elizabeth Hemings; all owned by Thomas Jefferson.