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George Washington & Slavery at Mount Vernon

March 5, 2021 by Editorial Staff 5 Comments

The Only Unavoidable Subject of RegretBook purchases made through this link support New York Almanack’s mission to report new publications relevant to New York State.

George Washington’s life has been scrutinized by historians over the past three centuries, but the day-to-day lives of Mount Vernon’s enslaved workers, who left few written records but made-up 90 percent of the estate’s population, have been largely left out of the story.

In her book The Only Unavoidable Subject of Regret: George Washington, Slavery, and the Enslaved Community at Mount Vernon (Univ. of Virginia Press, 2019), Mary Thompson offers the first comprehensive account of those who served in bondage at Mount Vernon.

Drawing on years of research in a wide range of sources, Thompson brings to life the lives of Washington’s slaves while illuminating the radical change in his views on slavery and race wrought by the American Revolution.

Thompson begins with an examination of George and Martha Washington as slave owners. Culling from letters to financial ledgers, travel diaries kept by visitors and reminiscences of family members as well as of former slaves and neighbors, Thompson explores various facets of everyday life on the plantation ranging from work to domestic life, housing, foodways, private enterprise, and resistance. The book closes with Washington’s attempts to reconcile being a slave owner with the changes in his thinking on slavery and race, ending in his decision to grant his slaves freedom in his will.

The Fort Plain Museum is hosting a virtual presentation by Mary V. Thompson on Tuesday, March 9 at 7 pm. The program is free and open to the public but registration is required, and can be completed online.

Mary V. Thompson is a Research Historian at Mount Vernon. Mary is responsible for research to support programs in all departments at Mount Vernon, with a primary focus on everyday life on the estate, including domestic routines, foodways, religious practices, slavery, and the enslaved community. Mary is a vitally important resource available for consultation to researchers visiting the library looking for guidance and advice.

Book Purchases made through this Amazon link support the New York Almanack’s mission to report new publications relevant to New York State.

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Filed Under: Books, Capital-Saratoga, Events, History Tagged With: Books, Fort Plain Museum

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jim Sefcik says

    March 6, 2021 at 7:17 AM

    Richly detailed, this book gives great insights into Washington, not only how he treated his slaves but also his attitude toward his soldiers. He was a hard taskmaster to both.

    Reply
  2. M W Wykoff says

    March 6, 2021 at 10:01 PM

    Is there any evidence that George fathered any children by a female slave?

    Reply
  3. Jim Sefcik says

    March 7, 2021 at 8:04 AM

    Most historians contend that Washington was probably sterile, having contracted smallpox while in Barbados with his ailing brother Lawrence. While Martha had children from her first marriage, there were none from her union with George. And they slept together as well.
    I could not find anything about your question from a cursory look at Thompson’s book but Chernow and Wiencek address it although I have neither book at hand. Such an act would be completely out of character for him however albeit that’s certainly not definitive.
    I would contact Mount Vernon and I’m confident you would receive a reply, probably from the author.

    Reply
  4. Brian Mack says

    March 9, 2021 at 6:33 AM

    Please join the Fort Plain Museum as they welcome the author, Mary V. Thompson on Tuesday, March 9 at 7 PM EST. Mary will provide details from her book and answer any questions that you may have.

    Please register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MmLPC8UYSAShDkOBBsgZ7A

    Thank you!

    Reply
  5. Jim Sefcik says

    March 9, 2021 at 7:11 AM

    I should have mentioned the program at the fine Fort Plain Museum in my comments yesterday. Great opportunity to have your questions about Washington and slavery and much more answered.

    Reply

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