Chapter Information for
Mary Hemings Bell Chapter, NSDAR
Purcellville, Virginia
View of the Bell-Scott house in Charlottesville, Virginia. Mary Hemings Bell lived in this house as did her descendants. Photo courtesy of monticello.org
Meetings
Our chapter meetings are held on the second Thursday or the second Sunday of each month, September through May.
Our History
Mary Hemings Bell Chapter, NSDAR, was organized on January 17, 2021 by Ginger Stephens in Purcellville, Virginia.
Behind the Name
Mary Hemings, also known as Mary Hemings Bell (1753-after 1834), was born into slavery, most likely in Charles City County, Virginia. She was the oldest child of Elizabeth Hemings, a mixed-race slave held by John Wayles. After the death of Wayles in 1773, Elizabeth, Mary, and her family were inherited by Thomas Jefferson, the husband of Martha Wayles Skelton, a daughter of Wayles, and all moved to Monticello.
While Jefferson was in France, Hemings was hired out to Thomas Bell, a wealthy white merchant in Charlottesville, Virginia. She became his common-law wife and they had two children together. Bell purchased her and the children from Jefferson in 1792 and informally freed them. Mary Hemings Bell was the first Hemings to gain freedom. The couple lived together all their lives. (They were prohibited from marriage by Virginia law at the time.)
Membership
New members are welcome! Please use the Contact form below to request information and meeting location.
Officers
CHAPTER REGENT
Dorothy Ballenger
VICE REGENT
Dawn Diehl
CHAPLAIN
Alice Thorne
RECORDING SECRETARY
Andrea Walter
TREASURER
Karla Gainey
LIBRARIAN
Sara Walter
REGISTRAR
Kerry Lynner
Contact
Email us for meeting location.