Mount Vernon near Alexandria in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Sunrise to Sunset
"The sun never caught [Washington] in bed, and he was unwilling it should find any of his people sleeping."
Former Washington slave, quoted in Parley's Magazine, 1838
In 1799, most of Mount Vernon's 318 enslaved people were field workers, more than half of whom were women. Overseers supervised the work on each farm and reported to a farm manager, who oversaw the overall farm production. According to a 1799 census, the population of the four outlying farms was as follows:
Dogue Run Farm — 45 slaves: 17 adult women, 7 adult men, 21 children
River Farm — 57 slaves: 23 adult women, 15 adult men, 19 children
Muddy Hole Farm — 42 slaves: 17 adult women, 7 adult men, 18 children
Union Farm — 74 slaves: 24 adult women, 16 adult men, 34 children
Carried out in "gangs" of eight to ten people, jobs varied with the seasons. In the spring, they planted and cared for the crops. During the harvesting season in late summer and fall, farm workers were joined by other enslaved laborers from the gristmill and Mansion House Farm, where the Washingtons lived. Although winter was a quieter season, work continued: enslaved people preserved crops, saved seeds, dug ditches, cut firewood, husked corn, repaired fences, and slaughtered and preserved
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.
Location. 38° 42.423′ N, 77° 5.477′ W. Marker is near Alexandria, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It is in Mount Vernon. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Mount Vernon Memorial Highway (Virginia Route 235) and George Washington Memorial Parkway, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Alexandria VA 22309, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. George Washington's Forest (a few steps from this marker); Tomb of Washington (a few steps from this marker); Slave Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Other Useful Resources (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington's Trees (within shouting distance of this marker); Domestic Animals (within shouting distance of this marker); Creatures in the Forest (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Old Vault (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.
Additional keywords. slave labor
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 101 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
