April 1820 Summary

Harriet does not have a chance to write in the journal until four months later. The first thing Harriet writes down is a quick snapshot of her family history. Harriet is the third living child of Sally Hemings, the third daughter after two who died in infancy. Harriet is nineteen, and in two years the master will offer her freedom, something she does not want but that her mother does. Harriet is afraid that after she leaves, everyone will say there never was a Harriet like they say of her older brother Tom. Tom ran away several years ago, and no one except the people on Mulberry Row speaks of him anymore.

This morning, Harriet's mother catches her attempting to escape the house and turns her back. Sally wants Harriet to serve breakfast to Thomas Mann Randolph, who has been visiting Monticello. Today...