Mount Vernon near Alexandria in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Slave Cemetery

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 13, 2018

1. Slave Cemetery Marker

Inscription. There are no records that document the number of enslaved or free African-Americans who are buried in this cemetery. From oral histories and a handful of early 19th-century visitor accounts, estimates range from 100-150 people. Among those individuals thought to be interred here is William Lee, George Washington's personal servant during the Revolutionary War, who was granted freedom and an annuity in Washington's will. In 2014, a multi-year archaeological survey began in order to better understand the cemetery's size and organization, and to find out how many people were laid to rest on this hilltop. No human remains are disturbed in this process.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series list.

Location. 38° 42.363′ N, 77° 5.344′ W. Marker is near Alexandria, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It is in Mount Vernon. It can be reached from the intersection of Mount Vernon Memorial Highway

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(Virginia Route 235) and Mount Vernon Memorial Parkway. This marker is on the grounds of Mount Vernon. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Alexandria VA 22309, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: In Memory of the Many Faithful Colored Servants of the Washington Family (here, next to this marker); Mount Vernon's Slave Memorial (here, next to this marker); Who Lies Buried Here? (a few steps from this marker); Slavery at Mount Vernon (within shouting distance of this

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 13, 2018

2. Slave Cemetery Marker

marker); Slave Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Archaeology of the African-American Burial Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); African-American Burial Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Slavery at Mount Vernon (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.

Also see . . .
1. George Washington's Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association (Submitted on January 16, 2018.)

2. Forgotten No Longer. Archaeology at the Mount Vernon Slave Cemetery. George Washington's Mount Vernon. (Submitted on January 17, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)

Archaeology at the Slave Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 13, 2018

3. Archaeology at the Slave Cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 14, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 548 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 14, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.