The resources on this page have been selected to support teacher and student needs. For other related teacher and student tips and tools—look for the pencil symbol throughout the Mount Vernon website.
In the year of George Washington’s death, Mount Vernon was home to over 300 individuals, most of whom were enslaved at the time. Many of the challenges in teaching about slavery to students today can be addressed by introducing diverse source material. The website includes rich primary sources from the lives of people who were enslaved at Mount Vernon as well as Washington’s changing opinions about slavery overtime. Support materials are designed to contextualize the information in the 18th century and suggest connections to contemporary relevance.
PRIMARY SOURCES |
George Washington's Last Will and Testament, July 9, 1799 In his will, written several months before his death, George Washington stipulated that the 123 enslaved individuals he owned at Mount Vernon be emancipated upon the death of his wife Martha. In accordance with Virginia law, Washington stipulated in his will that the elderly and sickly amongst those he emancipated be supported by his estate for the remainder of their lives. |
George Washington's List of Enslaved People, 1799 This detailed eight page list of enslaved workers at George Washington's five farms was created in June 1799. The list is broken down into enslaved workers owned by George Washington, dower slaves owned by Martha Washington, and enslaved individuals rented from Mrs. Penelope French. |
Maryland Gazette Runaway Slave Advertisement, August 20, 1761 George Washington put this advertisement in the Maryland Gazette in August 1761 after four enslaved men ran away from his farm at Dogue Run. The ad provides details about each man, providing insights about their appearance and demeanor that otherwise may have been lost to history. |
French’s Slave Census, July 1799 This detailed census of enslaved workers hired out by George Washington from Mrs. Penelope French was compiled in July 1799, just five months before Washington's death. By 1799, George Washington was making strategic changes to his Mount Vernon estate and no longer needed the services of Mrs. French's slaves which he had been renting since 1786. |
Additional Primary Sources Related to Slavery
Learn more about Washington and slavery.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS |
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Classroom Materials
Slavery in George Washington's World
- WORKSHEET: Close Read of 1799 Last Will and Testament and William Lee (Middle S…
- LESSON PLAN: Curating the Slave Quarters
- LESSON PLAN: The Concept of Ownership
- LESSON PLAN: Which Grace?
- LESSON PLAN: George Washington's 1799 Census of Slaves (Middle School)
- LESSON PLAN: George Washington's Views on Slavery (High School)
- LESSON PLAN: Making Ice Cream at Mount Vernon
- STUDENT PAGE: Making Ice Cream at Mount Vernon