Ellen Hemings Roberts

Ellen Hemings Roberts (1856-9 September 1940) was the Grand daughter of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings.

Ellen Hemings Roberts was born Ellen Wayles in 1856, to Madison Hemings and Mary Hughes McCoy, a free woman of color. She was the youngest child.

Ellen, tall with blue eyes, married her next-door neighbor Andrew Jackson Roberts (1852–1927), a graduate of Oberlin College, Ohio, in 1878. In 1887, they left southern Ohio and moved to Los Angeles, California. Both were active members of the Baptist church. Her husband first engaged in the hauling business and later established the first black-owned mortuary in Los Angeles.

Their son, Frederick Madison Roberts (September 14, 1879 – July 19, 1952), was a newspaper owner and editor, educator, business owner and later, a politician. He was the first known man of African American descent elected to the California State Assembly, where he served for 16 years and became known as "dean of the assembly."

Their second son William Giles Roberts was also a leader. Their daughter Myrtle Estelle Roberts was married to her husband Ivan Saunders, who also joined the family enterprise. Their descendants have had a strong tradition of college education and public service.