Lease deed, between Penelope French and George Washington for Dogue Run Plantation and enslaved African Americans, 1786 October 18

Item — Box: 21, Folder: 1786.10.18

Identifier: 2022-SC-001

Staff Only

Document, Lease deed for Dogue Run Plantation and 23 named enslaved African Americans, 1786 October 18

Scope and Contents

This agreement between George Washington and Penelope French secured for his use the last piece of property he added to his Mount Vernon estate, a parcel that would become part of Union Farm. French, who had a life in interest in the land and buildings, also leased to Washington the use of twenty-one enslaved people including "Will, Paschal, Paul, Abraham, Sabine, Rosanna, Daphne, Lucy, Delia, Grace, Tom, Isaac, Robert, Moses, Julius, Spencer, Nancy, Celia, Nell, Mitty, and Lett", and three young children not named. The agreement stipulated that Washington must ensure the enslaved were "clothed and fed in the same manner as slaves usually are within this commonwealth and shall not be removed and worked out of the said county of fairfax", and is "unreasonably worked or neglected in sickness or treated within humanity", they would be returned to French.

Dates

Creation: 1786 October 18

Creator

From the Collection: Washington, George, 1732-1799 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library’s Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. The library reserves the right to restrict access to certain items for preservation purposes.

Extent

3 pages : Three pages, bifolium. In good condition with some damange to first leaf that affects a few words of text and is repaired with laid paper. George Washington's edits and additions are interlineated on page 2, and the body of the document concludes with 18 lines of his writing. ; 37 x 23 cm