William Penn Annex East in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
"I and my household"
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 14, 2020
On November 22, 1790, President Washington arrived at the President's House to establish his home and office. With him were eight enslaved African descendents, ordered by Washington himself to be rotated back to Mount Vernon to evade Pennsylvania's gradual abolition law that would have allowed them to petition for their freedom after six months residence.
The enslaved were Hercules, his son Richmond, Oney Judge, Oney's brother Austin, Moll, Christopher, Giles, Parish, and later Joe.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 22, 1790.
Location. 39° 57.025′ N, 75° 8.999′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in William Penn Annex East. Marker can be reached from Market Street (County Road 2004) just east of South 6th Street (County Road 2005), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Washington's Death and a Renewed Hope for Freedom (here, next to this marker); The Dirty Business of Slavery (here, next to this marker); History Lost & Found (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named History Lost & Found (here, next to this marker); "I will fear no Evil" (a few steps from this marker); The House & the People Who Worked & Lived In It (a few steps from this marker); "An Act respecting fugitives from Justice" (a few steps from this marker); "I am free now" (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
Additional keywords. slavery, human trafficking
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 14, 2020
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 141 times since then and 4 times this year. Last updated on August 16, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 15, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.