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George Washington and Slavery
George Washington's views on the subject of slavery shifted over the course of his life. As a young boy, Washington grew up in a society that reinforced the notion that slavery was both right and natural. His parents and neighbours owned slaves.
By the time of Washington's birth, slavery was an ingrained aspect of Virginia life for nearly a century and an indispensable part of the economic, social, legal, cultural, and political fabric of the colony. By the time George Washington took control of the Mount Vernon property in 1754.
the population of Fairfax County was around 6,500 people, of whom a little more than 1,800 or about 28% were slaves of African origin. The proportion of slaves in the population as a whole rose throughout the century; by the end of the American Revolution, over 40% of the people living in Fairfax County were slaves.
Early Experiences
George Washington became a slave owner at the early age of eleven, when his father died and left him the 280 acre farm near Fredericksburg, Virginia where the family was then living. In addition, Washington was willed ten slaves. As a young adult, Washington purchased at least eight slaves, including a carpenter named Kitt who was acquired for £39.5. Washington purchases more slaves in 1755, four other men, two women, and a child.
It was after his marriage to Martha Dandridge Custis in January of 1759 that Washington's slaveholdings increased dramatically. His young bride was the widow of a wealthy planter, Daniel Parke Custis, who died without a will in 1757; her share of the Custis estate brought another eighty-four slaves to Mount Vernon.
In the sixteen years between his marriage and the beginning of the American Revolution, Washington acquired slightly more than 40 additional slaves through purchase. Most of the subsequent increase in the slave population at Mount Vernon occurred as a result of the large number of children born on the estate.
Slave Owner
Various sources offer differing insight into Washington's behaviour as a slave owner. Richard Parkinson, an Englishman who lived near Mount Vernon, once reported that "it was the sense of all his [Washington's] neighbours that he treated [his slaves] with more severity than any other man."
Conversely, a foreign visitor travelling in America once recorded that George Washington dealt with his slaves "far more humanely than do his fellow citizens of Virginia." It was this man's opinion that Virginians typically treated their slaves harshly, providing "only bread, water and blows."
During the war Washington traveled to parts of the country where agriculture was undertaken without the use of slaves. He also witnessed black soldiers in action, fighting bravely in the Continental Army. Within seven months of taking command of the army, Washington approved the enlistment of free black soldiers, which he and the other general officers had originally opposed.
It was also during the war that Washington was first exposed to the views of the Marquis de Lafayette, who ardently opposed slavery. During the period between the end of the war and the start of his presidency, abolitionists began approaching Washington, seeking his support for their cause. Over and over again, he responded with his conviction that the best way to effect the elimination of slavery was through the legislature, which he hoped would set up a program of gradual emancipation, and for which he would gladly give his vote.