Mount Vernon near Alexandria in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Slavery at Mount Vernon
Photographed by Don Morfe, April 23, 2000
1. Slavery at Mount Vernon Marker
It is my Will and desire that all the Slaves which I hold in my own right shall receive their freedom.
George Washington in his will, 1799
Of the 316 slaves at Mount Vernon in 1799, most lived and worked on the four outlying farms. About one of every four working slaves was a skilled worker such as a blacksmith, carpenter or shoemaker. The majority of women, worked in the fields, but some filled the position of spinner, weaver, cook, house servant, and seamstress. The 1799 figure reflects the expansion of the plantation since the time of George and Martha Washingtons wedding in 1759, when there were about 50 slaves at Mount Vernon.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1799.
Location. 38° 42.349′ N, 77° 5.329′ W. Marker is near Alexandria, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It is in Mount Vernon. It can be reached from the intersection of Mount Vernon
this page online
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: Slave Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of the Many Faithful Colored Servants of the Washington Family (within shouting distance of this marker); Mount Vernon's Slave Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Who Lies Buried Here?
Photographed by Don Morfe, April 23, 2000
2. Slavery at Mount Vernon
Also see . . . George Washington's Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon Ladies Association (Submitted on April 5, 2016.)
Photographed by Richard E. Miller
3. Entrance to Slave Burial Ground
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 560 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 4, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 3. submitted on May 21, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
