Davis, Betty, active 1792- (Spinner)
Biography
Betty Davis also known as Betsy Davis was enslaved; was owned by the estate of Martha Washington's first husband, Daniel Parke Custis; and worked as a spinner. She was maried to Dick, a slave living at Mrs. Lund Washington's "Hayfield," near the Dogue Run Farm.
Topics
Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:
Letter, to William Pearce, 1794 July 20
Letter, to William Pearce, 1795 March 8
Wheat on the ground is in so unpromising a way--inquires to the look of the barley--roller--French's Paul--pains taken to apprehend and bring him to punishment--Dick--Betty Davis--Sarah, possibly a spinner at the Mansion, in childbed--purchase of one thousand yards of German oznabrigs--lucern seed to be had in Alexandria--new overseer at Mansion house--Allison--inquires about the price of flour in Alexandria--both superfine and fine are up again in Philadelphia.
Letter, to William Pearce, 1795 March 22
New overseers are turning out well--Grove--Allison--Washington has received twenty pounds of lucern seed--eight pounds of lucern and the like quantity of clover mixed to the acre--grasses ought to be sown on clean and well prepared ground--Betty Davis and Pearce's having difficulty distinguishing between real and feigned sickness--Paul--Mr. Dulany--artichokes.