Biographies

FIELD WORKER

In 1799, Caesar was about 50 years old. The only record of Caesar’s appearance comes from a runaway advertisement, placed by Washington’s farm manager, which describes Caesar as, “a black negro man about 45 or 50 years of age, and about 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high; has a sharp aquiline nose, and some of his foreteeth stand out... his usual dress is home-spun black and white.”

Caesar was a field worker on Mount Vernon’s Union Farm. He is depicted holding a bible because he was literate and preached to the local black population.

Overseer

In 1799, Davy Gray was about 56 years old. Washington described him as “mulatto,” meaning that he was mixed race. He worked as an overseer on Mount Vernon’s outlying farms.

Because he supervised enslaved people working in the fields, he is depicted holding an agricultural tool.

Enslaved laborers like Davy Gray wore coarse linen shirts, breeches, stockings, and shoes without buckles. The clothes were mass-produced and often ill-fitting. Garments wore out quickly because they were worn nearly every day. As overseer, Gray sometimes received extra garments, like leather breeches.

Butler

In 1799, Frank Lee was about 45 years old. Washington described him as “mulatto,” meaning he was mixed race. In his memoirs, George Washington Parke Custis recalled that Frank was “portly,” though in the 18th century, this could mean dignified or stately rather than rotund.

Male household workers like Frank Lee wore custom-fitted, white-and-red livery suits, stockings, and shoes with buckles. Washington directed that they grow their hair long and pull it back in a queue (or ponytail), in the manner of 18th-century gentlemen.

Field Worker

In 1799, Kate was likely in her 50s. There are no records of Kate’s appearance. She is depicted holding an infant because she served as a midwife to the enslaved community.

Female field workers like Kate wore coarse linen shifts—long, loose-fitting shirts—tucked into a skirt (linen in the summer and wool in the winter), with stockings and shoes without buckles. Their skirts were ankle-length for freedom of movement. In the winter, they also wore a wool jacket. The clothes were mass-produced and often ill-fitting.

Freed

Nancy Carter Quander was a child when she was freed by George Washington's will. She was about 47 years old in 1835 when she returned to Mount Vernon to assist with work on George Washington’s New Tomb. There are no records of Nancy’s appearance.

She is depicted wearing garments appropriate for the 1830s.

Carpenter

In 1799, Sambo Anderson was likely about 40 years old. He worked as a carpenter, so he is shown carrying a hammer and a wooden plank. In January 1876, 30 years after Anderson’s death, an anonymous author described the former slave in the Alexandria Gazette: “He was of a bright mahogany color, with high cheek bones, and was stoutly made. His face was tattooed, and he wore in his ears rings which he informed me were made of real Guinea gold.”

Male laborers like Sambo Anderson wore coarse linen shirts, linen or wool breeches, stockings, and shoes without buckles. In the winter, they also wore wool jackets. The clothes were mass-produced and often ill-fitting. As a skilled craftsman, he may have received specialized garments like a leather apron.

Valet 

In 1780, William Lee was about 30 years old. George Washington described his valet, or personal manservant, as “mulatto,” meaning he was mixed race. Martha Washington’s grandson remembered Lee as a “stout active man,” with an “athletic form” and "a square muscular figure.” In 1804, artist Charles Willson Peale recalled that Lee was "a heavy man." A member of George Washington’s Life Guard recalled that Lee had “moved with great dignity" while serving as a waiter in Washington’s military headquarters. William Lee is depicted looking through Washington’s spyglass, which he carried for the general.

Male household workers like William Lee wore custom-fitted, white-and-red livery suits, stockings, and shoes with buckles. Washington directed that they grow their hair long and pull it back in a queue (or ponytail), in the manner of 18th-century gentlemen.