
Slavery at Mount Vernon
The Washington family depended on the work of enslaved people to maintain Mount Vernon. Most enslaved people performed fieldwork from dawn to dusk, however, depending on the season some workdays were longer.
Mount Vernon is privately owned and will remain open in the case of a government shutdown.
Slavery was a brutal system in which people were oppressed and limited, yet enslaved people found ways to resist. In colonial America and the early republic, many believed that those enslaved were a type of property that could be owned and sold. With little control over their lives, enslaved people lived in constant fear. There were, however, some important cases in which people broke social barriers in the different ways in which they resisted slavery and asserted their humanity. For example, at times, people stole things or slowed down their work. On a social level, some took more control over their lives by developing a sense of community and identity. At times, some were able to make a little money thus contributing to Mount Vernon's economy. One of the most extreme and dangerous ways in which people resisted bondage was to run away. Escaping was not very common, because people risked leaving behind their family, and they also risked recapture. The ways in which people resisted bondage were significant because they point to the complexity and resilience of enslaved people.
Enslaved people resisted bondage to various degrees. Risking punishment, some stole or broke things. Others contributed to the flow of goods which pointed to their economic presence at Mount Vernon, and many developed a sense of community and identity which asserted their humanity and perhaps helped them deal with the harsh conditions in which they lived in.
After a day of hard work on the field or in the mansion, some people found time to plant vegetables or raise small animals. Davy Gray was an overseer who could not write but contributed to the economy of Mount Vernon.
Primary Source: This receipt shows that Gray raised ducks, chicken, and turkeys and sold them to Martha Washington. Gray earned $9.75 for what he sold.
There were enslaved people that possessed a variety of skills. Kate asked that Washington name her midwife to enslaved mothers. If her request was granted, as a member of the community, Kate would care for the mothers.
Primary Source: In this letter, among other things, Washington discussed Kate’s request and her belief that she was qualified for the position which was often held by white staff.
Unlike most enslaved people, Caesar could read and write and was known for preaching to people. Cesar traveled beyond the estate to visit family and other community members. Although cases like Cesar’s are not common, this does shine a light on community building and the flow of religious ideas beyond Mount Vernon’s boundaries.
Primary Source: In this list of enslaved people, Caesar was listed as a dower slave belonging to the estate of Daniel Parke Custis (Martha Washington’s first husband). The harsh reality of slavery was that many people believed they had the right to own other human beings.
For the most part, those enslaved had to wear a very uncomfortable uniforms made of a coarse fabric called osnaburg. The plain uniforms also further suppressed peoples’ identity. However, some found ways to adorn themselves and their clothing with buttons, beads, and jewelry. Sambo Anderson was a skilled carpenter, hunter, and beekeeper. Anderson also held on to his African identity by wearing rings in his ears.
Primary Source: While not everyone could wear gold rings in their ears, some enslaved people purchased (or exchanged for other things) beads and buttons to make simple jewelry or decorate their clothing. A bead like this one might have been used as a form of decoration.