Match the Founder with an example of a contradiction in their life around the concept of freedom. Thomas Jefferson, author of th
e Declaration of Independence Sam Adams, politician, signer of the Declaration of Independence George Washington, General in the Continental Army failed to defend property rights of Indigenous people enslaved his own children tried to recapture an enslaved woman who escaped to New Hampshire Reset Next
Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence -enslaved his children
This is evident following the death of his wife, he fathered six children with Sally Hemmings, where four out of them were raised to become slaves on the plantation. These children include Beverly, Harriet, Madison, and Eston Hemings.
George Washington, General in the Continental Army - tried to recapture an enslaved woman who escaped to New Hampshire
Here, the runaway enslaved woman was known as Ona Judge, she was 22 years old when she fled in 1796. Washington tried to capture her again in 1799.
Sam Adams, politician, signer of the Declaration of Independence - failed to defend the property rights of Indigenous people.
This is evident in his writings which are titled "The right of the Colonists." While Sam Adams fought for the freedom of the American settlers, he failed to defend the property rights of native Americans.
Hence, it can be concluded that many US founding fathers have contradictory characters.
