William Penn Annex East in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Mount Vernon to Philadelphia
A Path to FreedomFor Some
The nine enslaved men and women of the President's House were chosen by Washington to accompany him to Philadelphia. They were separated from their families back in Mount Vernon and rotated out of state regularly to prevent them from gaining freedom under Pennsylvania law.
Characters
Christopher Sheels, enslaved attendant to Washington
Hercules, enslaved cook
Richmond, Hercules' enslaved son
Giles, enslaved stable hand
Oney Judge, enslaved maid and seamstress to Martha
Austin, Ona's enslaved half brother, house servant
Paris, enslaved stable hand
Moll, enslaved maid to Martha
Joe Richardson, enslaved postillion for the presidential coach
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: African Americans. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series list.
Location. 39° 57.029′ N, 75° 9.005′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in William Penn Annex East. It can be reached from Market
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Keeper of the House (here, next to this marker); Suppressing the Opposition (here, next to this marker); "I will fear no Evil" (here, next to this marker); "An Act respecting fugitives from Justice" (here, next to this marker); The President's House Site 1790-1800 (here, next to this marker); Archeology Methods and Interpretation (here, next to this marker); The President's House - Washington and Adams (here, next to this marker);
Other markers no longer nearby. The House & the People Who Worked & Lived In It (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); The Dirty Business of Slavery (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).
Additional keywords. slavery, human trafficking
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 15, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 324 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 15, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
