William Spence arrived at Mount Vernon in late October of 1797 to work as a hired gardener, replacing John Christian Ehlers. Spence was recommended to George Washington by his Scottish acquaintance, James Anderson, who was a noted agriculturalist and economist. Upon hiring him, Spence travelled from Scotland to New York before arriving to Mount Vernon, with Washington reimbursing his fare. Although surprised by his age, Washington later remarked, "I never had a hired servant that pleased me better, and what adds to my satisfaction is that he is content himself, having declared that he never was happyer in his life."1 He continued to work at Mount Vernon after Washington's death in 1799.
When Spence arrived, Washington wrote to Anderson that thought he was "rather younger than I should have chosen," but that he "seems to be decent in his appearance, and as far as time and opportunity have hitherto allowed me to form an opinion is orderly in his conduct."2 However, Washington was surprised that Spence arrived unmarried after confirming with Washington he was bringing a wife to Mount Vernon. Washington had hoped his wife could supervise spinners or assist with the collection of dairy. He wrote to Anderson, "He has deceived you or me however, with his tale of Matrimony; for he has brought no wife with him, and says it was a promise only, of marriage from the Girl you saw; which, ultimately, she would not comply with."3
While employed at Mount Vernon, Spence likely lived in a dwelling referred to as the Gardener's House close to the Bowling Green and Upper Garden, which was previously used as a hospital for the enslaved and then for wool spinning. Working under Spence were enslaved gardeners George, Harry, and Joseph. In 1798, Spence was working for a salary of thirty-five pounds per year. Charges against Spence's account between June 1798 and January 1799 included the following items: a "best new Hatt," two pairs of shoes, 2 pieces of Nankeen cloth, several cash advances, postage of five letters, leather for three pairs of shoes, and sixty-six and a half gallons of whiskey.4
He had a positive reputation with the Washington family. He served as a witness to Martha Washington's will, which was signed on September 22, 1800.5 He was later hired by her grandson George Washington Parke Custis to work at Arlington House.
Notes:
1. “George Washington to James Anderson (of Scotland), 25 July 1798,” Founders Online, National Archives.
2. “George Washington to James Anderson (of Scotland), 4 November 1797,” Founders Online, National Archives.
3. “George Washington to James Anderson (of Scotland), 4 November 1797,” Founders Online, National Archives; “James Anderson (of Scotland) to George Washington, 3 August 1797,” Founders Online, National Archives.
4. See account for William Spence, Mount Vernon Farm Ledger, 1797-1798 (Mount Vernon, VA: Mount Vernon Ladies' Association), 159-60.
5. "The Will of Martha Washington of Mount Vernon," in The Last Will and Testament of George Washington and Schedule of his Property, to which is appended the Last Will and Testament of Martha Washington (Mount Vernon: Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, 1939), 62.
Bibliography:
"Arlington House: The Robert E. Lee Memorial," Prepared by Jennifer Hanna. The U.S. Department of the Interior, National Parks Service, National Capital Region, October 2001.
