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

Who Lies Buried Here?

— George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate —

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 9, 2025

1. Who Lies Buried Here? Marker

Inscription.
"The spot is not forgotten, though the tramp of passing years has leveled the little mound." — Unknown visitor to Mount Vernon

The uncredited quotation above comes from an 1848 publication in the Cincinnati Enquirer referencing a guide identifying a burial that belonged to William Lee, Washington's enslaved personal servant. She describes the graves as having mounds over them, which receded with time. Today, we cannot determine who else lies buried here or where their graves are. West Ford (1784-1863), a formerly enslaved man hired by the Washington family in the 19th century, is believed to be buried here. The Mount Vernon Ladies Association sought Ford's advice in the early restoration of the estate.

Erected by George Washington’s Mount Vernon.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.

Location. 38° 42.373′ N, 77° 5.341′ W. Marker is in Mount Vernon, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It is in Engleside. It can be reached from the intersection of Mount Vernon Memorial Highway (Virginia Route

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235) and George Washington Memorial Parkway, on the right when traveling east. Located on the grounds of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate at the African American Burial Ground. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon VA 22121, 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 (a few steps from this marker); Mount Vernon's Slave Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Slave Cemetery (a few

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 9, 2025

2. Who Lies Buried Here? Marker

steps from this marker); Slave Memorial (a few steps from 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); Slavery at Mount Vernon (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 Mount Vernon.

Also see . . .
1. Hallowed Ground, Sacred Space: The African-American Cemetery at George Washington’s Mount Vernon and. (Submitted on August 19, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Enslaved Community at Mount Vernon. (Submitted on August 19, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 103 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 19, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.