Slavery

Scope and Contents

Book of tobacco sales, list of slaves belonging to Robert Peter, and lots of Robert Peter in the City of Washington with division by squares for the Commissioners and how they are disposed. The bound volume is made up of 178 pages. Pages 52-147 are blank. At some point the volume is flipped and entries are begun at the back of the book from pages 178-154. For viewing purposes those pages have been reoriented and reordered.

Scope and Contents

Includes a $5 charge on 23 October 1813 for a coffin "for a black man." On 9 February 1814, Peter was charged $50.00 for a lined coffin covered with black cloth, among other expenses, possibly following the death of his first wife, Ann Plater Peter, or one of their young sons.

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Accounts for shoes, boots, and repairs, including shoes for enslaved people.

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A list of clothing purchased by Martha Washington from William Jones of Alexandria. Includes suits purchased for enslaved workers Daniel, Marcus, Christopher, and Frank. According to notes on the verso, payments were received from James Anderson on 12 April 1800 and 15 May 1800.

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Contracts services for one year-house carpenter and Joiner should conduct themselves soberly, honestly and deliberately-duties: superintend Negro carpenters, use proper care with tools, keep an account (in a book) of needs and things done, should set a good example, and will remain at work from light to dark-pay is 10 pounds a month- George Washington will provide: meat and meal or flour, tools, quarters, and will pay taxes.

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Promises return of hired Negro, along with two suits of clothes.

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A.D.S. 1 page. Bill for June 14, 1751-April 3, 1752 for medical care, including one entry "Jan 10 [1752] To a large box antiscorbutick Ointm. for Mr. George Washington." Also includes entries "a Visit to yr Negro wench," and "Drawing a tooth for yr Negro." Autograph document signed, laminated, docketed "Rect. Doctr. Sutherland April 27th 1752 1.6.9.," badly charred. Receipted on April 27, 1752 for Dr. Sutherland by [ ] Peyton.

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The Resurvey of Brandy and transfer of several named enslaved people.

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Bill of sale for female slave.

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A.N. 1 page. A bill from William A. Washington (1757-1810; George Washington's nephew) to the estate of Richard Muse for the hiring of "negro Ceasar" by Muse's overseer William Smith.

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D.S. 1 page. Bond. Fulton agrees to pay Mrs. Washington, widow of George Augustine Washington, thirty-five pounds "... upon the first day of January next ensuing [1799] ... for the hire of a Negro Man named Reuben for one year ..." Frances Bassett Washington (Lear) died in 1796 so it is unclear who this document is really intended for, or if the date is incorrect.

Scope and Contents

This ledger includes a list of slaves at the Mount Vernon Plantations, clothing alloted to them each year, inventory of cattle, Nov. 15, 1785, accounts with the several plantations, accounts with shoemakers, overseers, and bricklayers. With other Accounts (including ones from George Augustine and Lawrence A. Washington, Tobias Lear, John and H. Fairfax, and Anthony Whiting).

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Autograph letter signed with integral address panel. Bushrod Corbin Washington writes his uncle that he is on the trail of Charles and Nathan, two of Bushrod's enslaved workers.

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Prospect Hill to Mount Vernon. Autograph letter signed, regarding the sale of an enslaved woman named Milly.

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Culpeper to Woodlawn. Asking for money to buy more enslaved workers. Payment of amount owed by Judge [Bushrod] Washington.

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Newspaper ad by George Washington advertising the rental of 4 Mt. Vernon farms--not including Mansion House Farm. Detailed descriptions, are included. Also lists for sale lands on the Ohio River, on the Miami, and in Kentucky. Deals with decisions Washington was making regarding establishment of a source of income for himself, the management of farms, and to find a solution to the burdens of his slave ownership.

Content Description From the Collection: The Bushrod Washington Family Papers consist of documents gathered by the descendants of the first President of the United States, George Washington. The collection comprises an assortment of correspondence and legal documents documenting the lives and property ownership of several branches of the Washington family. The collection is organized into five series: Correspondence, Legal Documents, Social, Miscellaneous, and Indenture Notices (Land Deeds).The Correspondence series,...

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A copy of Bushrod Washington's will in the Fairfax County Court. Includes instructions for the division of the Mount Vernon property, library, and enslaved population, with instructions that land should be given to West Ford.

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A manuscript copy of the last will and testament of Hannah Bushrod Washington, in which she specifies that her body be left out until it putrefies so that she is not buried alive. In her will, Hannah specifies that West Ford, the son of an enslaved woman named Venus, should be inoculated from smallpox, apprenticed to a tradesman, and freed at the age of twenty-one.

Scope and Contents

A "true" manuscript copy made from the original, which is dated July 8, 1830. In his will, John Augustine gives his wife Jane the power to dispose of any of his enslaved workers who are disobedient to her after his death. He also stipulates that his children may sell the Mount Vernon estate to the government if Congress wants it.