William Penn Annex East in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
"I and my household"
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 this topic list: 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. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 39° 57.025′ N, 75° 8.999′ W. Marker was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It was in William Penn Annex East. It could be reached from Market Street (County Road 2004) just east of South 6th Street (County Road 2005), on the right
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in Southeast Pennsylvania. It was also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 location: Independence Mall (here, next to this marker); History Lost & Found (here, next to this marker); Benedict Arnold (here, next to this marker); Robert Morris (here, next to this marker); George and Martha Washington (here, next to this marker); John Adams (here, next to this marker); The President's House (here, next to this marker); Enslaved People at the President's House (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
Other markers no longer nearby. Washington's Death and a Renewed Hope for Freedom
Additional keywords. slavery, human trafficking
Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 15, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 369 times since then and 93 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.
