Thomas Davis was a weaver who began working for George Washington at Mount Vernon as early as 1766.1 In 1767 alone, Davis wove over 1,500 yards of linen, wool, and cotton cloth for Washington, likely with the assistance of enslaved labor.2 That year he also suffered from bouts of illness when staying at Mount Vernon.3
In May of 1773, Washington paid nineteen pounds, two shillings, and two pence to Captain John Page, in order to bring Davis's mother and sister to Virginia.4Between January 1767 and March 1771, Davis wove the following fabrics for George Washington: shalloon, linen, linsey, double bird eye, striped kersey, striped wool, plaided woolen, and cotton check. Martha Washington also requested that Davis weave cotton and wool, cotton jump stripe, cotton bird eye, woolen, double bird eye, striped cotton, and bed ticking. Over sixty customers total were noted in Davis' accounts for this time period.5
Notes:
1. “Memorandum List of Tithables and Taxable Land and Property, 16 June 1766,” Founders Online, National Archives.
2. “Cash Accounts, May 1767,” Founders Online, National Archives.
3. “To George Washington from Lund Washington, 17 August 1767,” Founders Online, National Archives.
4. “Cash Accounts, May 1773,” Founders Online, National Archives.
5. "An Account of Weaving done by Thomas Davis &ca in the Year 1767," George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress, 1741-1799: Series 5 Financial Papers.
