George Washington Owned Slaves Who Basically Ran His Mount Vernon Estate

Jet, March 1, 1999

As the nation celebrates Black History Month, historians are recalling little-known history facts, including the fact that President George Washington, "The Father of Our Country," owned slaves.

Not only did Washington have slaves, he did little to free them during his lifetime. As the country's first president, he also did not do anything to abolish the institution of slavery.

Washington was 11 years old when he inherited 10 slaves from his father. It was a normal fact of life for well-to-do White people to have slaves during that time period, historians point out.

Washington freed his slaves after he died in 1799. "Upon the decease of my wife it is my Will & desire that all the Slaves which I hold in my own right shall receive their freedom," he stated in his will.

At the time of his death, Washington had 316 slaves at his Mount Vernon home and they basically ran the estate, according to a Black history feature in the Washington Post.

Washington's slaves worked the plantation's five farms and grist mill, while others worked in carpentry, masonry and blacksmithing. Most of the cooks, butlers and servants were slaves, and many of those were buried at the Mount Vernon estate when they died, the Post said.

President Washington also acknowledged the marriages of his slaves, even though the state of Virginia did not, the Post reported.

Washington's slaves are being honored during Black History Month with special tours on slave life at the newly renovated George Washington's Mount Vernon: Estate & Gardens in Virginia, 16 miles south of Washington, D.C.

One of the key tours is given by Gladys Tancil, a historical interpreter and a descendant of one of the slaves who helped operate and maintain Mount Vernon.

There also will be tours on slave life in April through October at the historical museum.