Database of Mount Vernon's Enslaved Community

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Know all men by these presents that I John Posey of the county of Fairfax in the colony of Virginia Gentleman for and in consideration of the sum of seventy pounds current money of Virginia to me in hand paid at and upon the sealing and delivery of these presents by George Washington of the said county and colony aforesaid Esquire the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge have bargained and sold & by these presents do bargain and sell unto the said George Washington the following slaves to wit. Bob, James, Jack, Henley, Casar, Bacchus, Hercules, Luke, Ben, Isaac, Jacob, Jean, Winney, Judy, Nancy, Sinah, Silvia, Chloe, Lett, Vincy, Jean, Henrietta, Farthing, Sarah, Nan & Hester, in possession of him the said John Posey and now by him delivered to the said George Washington to satisfy and secure the debt aforesaid in manner & form aforesaid being supposed by the above mentioned John Posey and George Washington that part of the above mentioned slaves would be more than Sufficient to Satisfy the Just consideration of a bill of sale for the above mentioned slaves…

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To be SOLD for ready money, at Rover's Delight in Fairfax county, on Monday the 23d inst. (October) A TRACT of valuable LAND in said county, lying on Potowmack river; adjoining to the land on which the subscriber now keeps ferry, and very fit for farming. On the premises is a large barn, 60 feet by 30, framed and shingled; eight framed barracks 26 feet square, a large corn-house, and sundry other houses, with a good fishery appertaining. At the same time and place, and upon the same terms, will likewise be sold about twenty-five choice SLAVES, consisting of men, women, and children. Also sundry horses, cattle, sheep, and hogs; together with various kinds of household furnishing and implements of husbandry. The money arising from the sales to be paid into the hands of George Washington, Esq; JOHN POSEY

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A List of Tithables in Truro Parish Fairfax County—given in July 16th 1770. George Washington, Lund Washington …Home Plann: Jack [&] Herculas—Ferry men, Joe, Arlington, Peter, Sarah, Frank, Lydia, Phœbe.

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A List of Tythables—in Truro Parish—Fairfax County—given in 14th June 1771. George Washington, Lund Washington ... [house servants] Breechy, Billy, Giles, Frank, Herculas, Frank, Doll, Jenny, Betty, Moll, Sarah, Sall, Winney, Sue, Kitt, Alce ...

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[By Lund Washington] for makg 1 swite for N [Negro] Hercules ..10..[0]

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A List of Tythables—in Truro Parish Fairfax County—June 10 1772. Geo: Washington, Lund Washington ... [house servants] Breechy, Will, Frank, Giles, Herculas, Doll, Jenny, Betty, Moll, Sall, Alice, Sarah...

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Do [Mending] 3 pr Do [Breeches] Frank. H. & Do [Breechy] ..3..[0]

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By 8 swites Cloaths viz Davy, Micke Morris, Breechy, Frank, Will, Gilles & Hercules a 13/ [Folio Reference] 18 5..4..[0]

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]By Lund Washington] Do [making] 3 pair Breeches for Hercules ..[0]..6

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[By Jonathan Palmer] Making 3 pair of drawrs for Hercules ..4..[6]

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A List of Tithables—in—Truro Parish Fairfax County—9th June 1773. Geo: Washington, Lund Washington ... [House servants] Breechy, Will, Frank, Giles, Herculas, Doll, Jenny, Betty, Moll, Sall, Alice, Lucy, Sarah, Alice...

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By Making 6 Swites Cloaths viz for Davy, Mich, Morris, Frank & Breechey & Hercules 3..0..0

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[By William Roberts] Do [cutting] Coat & Waistcoat for Hercules ..0..6

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[By George Young] for Mendg 2 Coats Breechy & Hercules ..2..[0]

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A List of Tithables—in Truro Parish Fairfax County—July 1774. George Washington, Jno. Parke Custis, Lund Washington ...[House Servants] Breechy, Will, Frank, Giles, Herculas, Joe, Nell, Doll, Jenny, Betty, Moll, Sall, Alice, Sarah, Alice. …

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To 6 suits Morris, Davy, Brechy, Frank, Mikie, Hercules 3..0..0

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By makeg a Suit for Hercules 1..4..0

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By putting 2 pecies [pieces] on a pr. [pair of shoes] for Hercules to be charged for J. [John] Fairfax ..0..0..9

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3 Do [bottles of rum] to Hercules to bury his wife by Mrs W's [Washington's] order

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Some powder to Hercules by Mrs Washington Ordr [Order]

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Blacks above 12 years of age [column 1] Will, Frank, Auston, Hercules, Nathan, Giles, Joe, Paris, Gunner, Boatswain, Sam, Anthony,Tom, Will, Issac, James, Sambo, Tom, Nokes, Nat, George…

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The day is come, and the hour at hand, or very nearly—when our journey will commence for Philadelphia… Austin & Herculas goes on in this days Stage, & will, unquestionably arrive several days before us.

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We have resolved to take one of my Cooks with us—and if upon examining into the matter, it shall be found convenient, I may also take on a boy:

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But with respect to Mrs. Lewis and her daughter, I wish it may not be done, especially as it is in contemplation to transplant Hercules or Nathan from the Kitchen at Mount Vernon to that in Philadelphia…

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By William Jones for making a Coat 2 pr Breeches & 2 Waistc[o]ats for Frank 22/6d. Cutg out 2 Short Coats & 2 pr Overalls for Hercules 1/ makg a Coat for Thomas Bishop 7/6d Cutg 1 Short Coat for Jubar 3d 2 pr Overalls for Nathan 6d 1 pr ditto for Peter 3d 1..12..3

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... if Hercules comes on there will only be wanting one woman in the Kitchen who can be got at any time.

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do. [Contg. Exps.] pd. for 3 hats—viz. one for Hercules & one for Giles @ 10/ ea. & one for Paris 7/6 [$] 3 66

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Your letter of the 29th of May, did not reach my hands till yesterday…or I would have got and sent by Hercules the silk …

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Contg. Exps. gave Hercules & Christ[ophe]r. each a ticket by Mrs. Washington’s desire for the play…[$]1—

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do [Contg. Exps.] pd. for 3 shirts for Hercules…[$]4 50

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If Frauncis should be employed, it ought to be made known to him, that his services in the Kitchen as usual, will be expected; and that in case of the present Cooks leaving me, or attempting to raise his wages, that he is to do with Herculas, and such under aids as shall be found indispensably necessary…

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Fraunces arrived here on Wednesday...In the Articles prohibiting the use of wine at his table—and obliging him to be particular in the discharge of his duty in the Kitchen & to perform the Cooking with Hercules—I have been peculiarly pointed. He readily assented to them all (except that respecting Hercules, upon which he made the following observation—“I must first learn Hercules’ abilities & readiness to do things, which if good, (as good as Mrs Read’s) will enable me to do the Cooking without any other professional assistance in the Kitchen; but this experiment cannot be made until the return of the President when there may be occasion for him to exert his talents"- …

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Herclues comes home to be ready for his master…

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I sent by Hercules dome rufles for my little Boys bosom which I beg you will make Charlot hem - and ship them ready to sew on and send me six at a time as his old ruffles are worne to raggs …

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House Exps. pd. for 2 Shirts for Hercules @ 11/3…[$]3—

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Hercules has been told that it is necessary for him to be at Mount Vernon on your return there, as his presence at that time will be indispensable there & he can be very well spared here; and as you may be there very soon, I have recommended it to him to go home this week in the Stage, as there is no vessel now up, which he has promised to do, and I shall accordingly make arrangements for his departure.

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The Attorney-General’s case and mine I conceive, from a conversation I had with him respecting our Slaves, is some what different. He in order to qualify himself for practice in the Courts of Pennsylvania, was obliged to take the Oaths of Citizenship to that State; whilst my residence is incidental as an Officer of Government only, but whether among people who are in the practice of enticing slaves even where there is no colour of law for it, this distinction will avail, I know not, and therefore beg you will take the best advise you can on the subject, and in case it shall be found that any of my Slaves may, or any for them shall attempt their freedom at the expiration of six months, it is my wish and desire that you would send the whole, or such part of them as Mrs. Washington may not chuse to keep, home—for although I do not think they would be benefitted by the change, yet the idea of freedom might be too great a temptation for them to resist. At any rate it might, if they conceived they had a right to it, make them insolent in a State of Slavery. As all except Hercules and Paris are dower negroes, it behoves me to prevent the emancipation of them, otherwise I shall not only loose the use of them, but may have them to pay for. If upon taking good advise it is found expedient to send them back to Virginia, I wish to have it accomplished under pretext that may deceive both them and the Public;—and none I think would so effectually do this, as Mrs. Washington coming to Virginia next month (towards the middle or latter end of it, as she seemed to have a wish to do) if she can accomplish it by any convenient and agreeable means, with the assistance of the Stage Horses &c. This would naturally bring her maid and Austin—and Hercules under the idea of coming home to Cook whilst we remained there, might be sent on in the Stage. Whether there is occasion for this or not according to the result of your enquiries, or issue the thing as it may, I request that these Sentiments and this advise may be known to none but yourself & Mrs. Washington. From the following expression in your letter “that those who were of age might follow the example of his (the Attorney’s people) after a residence of six months”—it would seem that none could apply [86] before the end of May—& that the non age of Christopher, Richmond & Oney is a bar to them.

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I have had a very full conversation with the Attorney General respecting your slaves, without however, letting him know that I had heard from you on the subject; but entered upon it with this introduction that as you were absent, and could not return before the expiration of the term which the law of this State specifies for the residence of a Slave, I thought it my duty to take such advice & such measures in the business, with the concurrence of Mrs Washington, as might be proper in the occasion, having a due regard to your public station. The Attorney General made the following observations on the subject. That he found it was a received construction of the law, and one which he thought the words of the law fully warranted, that if a Slave is brought into the State and continues therein for the space of six months, he may claim his freedom, let the cause of his being brought be what it may; and that this extends, in its full force, to those slaves who may be brought here by the Officers of the General Government or by members of Congress. If a man becomes a Citizen of the State, six months residence of the slave is not necessary for his liberation; he is free from the moment his master is a citizen; the term of six months being only intended for the slaves of such as might travel through or sojourn in the State. That those Slaves who were under the age of 18, might, after a residence of six months, apply to the Overseers of the Poor, who had authority to bind them to a master until they should attain the age of 18, when they would become free. That the overseers made it a point to bind the young Slaves to their original masters, unless there should be some special reason against it; but after they are so bound they cannot be carried out of the State without their own consent. That the Society in this city for the abolition of slavery, had determined to give no advice and take no measures for liberating those Slaves which belonged to the Officers of the general Government or members of Congress. But notwithstanding this, there were not wanting persons who would not only give them (the Slaves) advise; but would use all means to entice them from their masters. This being the case, the Attorney General conceived, that after six months residence, your slaves would be upon no better footing than his. But he observed, that if, before the expiration of six months, they could, upon any pretence whatever, be carried or sent out of the State, but for a single day, a new era would commence on their return, from whence the six months must be dated for it requires an entire six months for them to claim that right. As the matter stands upon this footing I think that there will be but little difficulty in it; ... and I shall propose to Hercules, as he will be wanted at home in June when you return there, to take an early opportunity of going thither, as his services here can now be very well dispenced with, and by being at home before your arrival he will have it in his power to see his friends—make every necessary preparation in his Kitchen & as he must return when you do to this place. ... If Hercules should decline the offer which will be made him of going home, it will be a pretty strong proof of his intention to take the advantage of the law at the expiration of six months. As Mrs Washington does not incline to go to Virginia until you return to this place, the foregoing arrangement is the best I can think of to accomplish this business. You will permit me now, Sir, (and I am sure you will pardon me for doing it) to declare, that no consideration should induce me to take these steps to prolong the slavery of a human being, had I not the fullest confidence that they will at some future period be liberated, and the strongest conviction that their situation with you is far preferable to what they would probably obtain in a state of freedom.

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However, I shall take care to oblige Fraunces, in his Articles, to attend particularly to the Cooking—and if the present Cook quits, that he shall do with Hercules. I mentioned in a former letter that the woman in the Kitchen would be discharged, but upon submitting the matter to Mrs Washington, by whose superior knowledge in these things I shall always be pleased to be governed, she thought the woman might as well be continued, especially as she intended to send Richmond home by the first opportunity which will be about next Wednesday. Hercules is perfectly willing that he should go.

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In my letter of the 22d of may I mentioned that Hercules was to go on to Mount Vernon a few days after that. When he was about to go, somebody, I presume, insinuated to him that the motive for sending him home so long before you was expected there, was to prevent his taking the advantage of a six months residence in this place. When he was possessed of this idea he appeared to be extremely unhappy—and altho’ he made not the least objection to going; yet, he said he was mortified to the last degree to think that a suspicion could be entertained of his fidelity or attachment to you. and so much did the poor fellow’s feelings appear to be touched that it left no doubt of his sincerity—and to shew him that there were no apprehensions of that kind entertained of him, Mrs Washington told him he should not go at that time; but might remain ’till the expiration of six months and then go home—to prepare for your arrival there. He has accordingly continued here ’till this time, and tomorrow takes his departure for Virginia.

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I go there [George Town] prepared to proceed, and shall make Herculas take the Waggon box in place of Paris.

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Contg. [Contingent] Exps. [Expences] gave to Mrs Washington for Austin, Hercules, Moll & Oney 1 doll. [dollar] each & Chris. ½ doll. [dollar] to buy things to send home by Giles 4 [dollars] 50 [cents]

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Contg Exp pd for Hercules passage in the Stage to Baltimore

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do (Contg Exp) deld him to pay his passage fro Baltime to Alexa do (Contg Exp) deld hom for his ferriage & Exp

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Herculas can answer every purpose that Mrs Read would do, and others which she will not; and sure I am that the difference in the expence between the two will bear no comparison…

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By Mr John Wise pd him in full as pr Rect of Mr Simms ... a seat in the Stage to Baltimore for Austin & Hercules 46/…

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I shall send Hercules home when I leve this and will have some porter put up to send by a vessel that will sail for Alexandria some time this week…

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do [Contg. Exps.] deld. him [Hercules] for his ferriage & Exps. [$] 3.[00]

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House Exps. pd. for a pair of breeches for Hercules [$] 2.78

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House Exps. pd. for 3 pair Stockings for Hercules [$] 2.66

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Contg. Exps. gave to Mrs Washington for Austin, Hercules, Moll & Oney 1 doll. each & Chris. 1/2 doll. to buy things to send home by Giles [$] 4.50

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Contgt. Exps. pd. for a pr. Shoes for Hercules…[$]1 50

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Contgt. Exps. pd. for a pr. boots bot. by Hercules in July before he went to Virga….[$]6 –

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Congt. Exps. gave to Austin, Hercules & Oney to go to the Play [$] 1.50

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Do. [Contg. Exps.] pd. for 4 pr. Stockings for Austin & 4 pr. Do for Hercules [$] 4.94

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do. [Contingent Expenses] pd [paid] for linnen & Cambrick and making 7 shirts for Hercules [$] 15.38

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do gave to Hercules & Austin to go to the Circus [$] 1.[00]

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Contingt [Contingent] Exp's. [Expenses] for a pr [pair] of shoes for Hercules [$] 1.50

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Gave Hercules to pay for mending his shoes [$] [0].75

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Do [Contingent Expenses] p'd [paid] for making 8 shirts for Hercules & Austin [$] 4.07

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pills for Hercules 2/6.

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Linniment for Hercules [$] [0].25

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I hope Richmond was made an example of, for the Robbery he committed on Wilkes Saddle bags I wish he may not have been put upon it by his father (although I never had any suspicion of the honesty of the latter) for the purpose perhaps of a journey together. This will make a watch, without its being suspected by, or intimated to them, necessary; nor wd I have these suspicions communicated to any other lest it should produce more harm than good.

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If it shall be found, on experiment, that the pounded Stone answers as well, as sand for coating the houses, Frank, Herculas and Cyrus may get a good deal of it pounded. They may get up a large quantity of gravel at the place I shewed you. They may, when Davis & Muclas have done the Brick work at River farm assist them in throwing up Brick earth at the place I pointed out for at least One hundred thousand Bricks. They may assist the Gardener in making good the Hedges about the Mansion house, getting Dung into the Garden, or in any thing else. In short let them be employed in any manner at, or near the M. House that will Keep them out of idleness & mischief.

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What has Frank, Hercules and Cyrus been employed in. No mention is made of any work performed by them in the Gardeners or other Reports.

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I will not have the ground, in which I directed Ivy and the wild honey suckle to be planted, plowed beforehand. Nor can I find what it is the Gardener means by saying he has as much to do between this and Christmas as he is able to accomplish, when one of his own hands (according to his report) is at work with the House gang, and might be recalled, besides which he has been authorised to employ Frank, Hercules and Cyrus nay, even to call for more aid if necessary. If he won't do it, or makes any delay, or difficulty in doing it, desire him to give up my letter of directions; and order Allison to set about the work agreeably thereto.

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If it shall be found, on experiment, that the pounded Stone answers as well, as sand for coating the houses, Frank, Herculas and Cyrus may get a good deal of it pounded. They may, when Davis and Muclas have done the Brick work at River farm assist them in throwing up Brick earth at the place I pointed out for at least One hundred thousand Bricks. They may assist the Gardener in making good the Hedges about the Mansion house, getting Dung into the Garden, or in any thing else. In short let them be employed in any manner at, or near the M. [Mansion] House that will Keep them out of idleness and mischief.

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The running off of my Cook, has been a most inconvenient thing to this family; and what renders it more disagreeable, is, that I had resolved never to become the master of another Slave by purchase; but this resolution I fear I must break.

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The general's cook ran away, being now in Philadelphia, and left a little daughter of six at Mount Vernon…

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…our cook Hercules went away so that I am as much at a loss for a cook as for a house keeper…

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Herculees absconded 4 [days]

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Herculees diging Brick Clay 2 [days]

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Grubing up Honey Suckle Hercules 5 [days] Siras 5 [days] & Frank 3 [days]

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Herculus attending to the above [filling Ice House [1 day], dressing shingles [3 days], getting timber [2 days]] with Tom 6 [days]

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Herculus & [Siras] diging Brick Clay 10 [days]

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By Grubing up Honey Suckle & planting Harkles 4 days

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Herculas 3 days [days diging gravel]

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I pray you to desire Mr. Kitt to make all the enquiry he can after Hercules, and send him round in the Vessel if he can be discovered & apprehended.

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We have never heard of Herculas our Cook since he left this; but little doubt remains in my mind of his having gone to Philadelphia, and may yet be found there, if proper measures were employed to discover (unsuspectedly, so as not to alarm him) where his haunts are. If you could accomplish this for me, it would render me an acceptable service as I neither have, nor can get a good Cook to hire, and am disinclined to hold another slave by purchase. If by indirect enquiries of those who know Herculas, you should learn that he is in the City, inform Colo. Clemt. Biddle thereof, and he will, I hope, take proper measures to have him apprehended at the moment one of the Packets for Alexandria is about to Sale, and put him therein, to be conveyed hither; and will pay any expence which may be incurred in the execution of this business; which must be managed with address to give it a chance of Success; for if Herculas was to get the least hint of the design he would elude all your vigilance. I wish you well and am etc.

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Continue your enquiries, I pray you, after Herculas; and if you should find it necessary, hire some one who is most likely to be acquainted with his haunts, to trace them out; and if you should learn of him, advise with Colo. Biddle on the most effectual mode of securing him until he can be put on board one of the Packets for Alexandria with a strict charge to the Master not to give him an opportunity of escaping. Whatever cost shall attend this business Colo. Biddle will pay.

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Also for the enquiries you have made respecting my old Cook Herclues, since I had the pleasure of seeing you I have beem so fortunate as to engage a white cook who answers very well. I have thought it therefore better to decline taking Hercules back again.