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Buried Lives: The Enslaved People of George Washington's Mount Vernon
The untold story of the enslaved people of Mount Vernon, and the illuminating history that is still being discovered in George Washington's historic home today.
When he was eleven years old, George Washington inherited ten human beings. His own life has been well chronicled, but the lives of the people he owned--the people who supported his plantation and were buried in unmarked graves there--have not.
Using fascinating primary source material and photographs of historical artifacts, Carla McClafferty sheds light on the lives of several people George Washington owned; the property laws of the day that complicated his decision to free them; and the Cemetery Survey, an archeological dig that is shaping our understanding of Mount Vernon's Slave Cemetery. Poignant and thought-provoking, Buried Lives blends the past with the present in a forward-looking account of a haunting piece of American history.
Includes a foreword by Zsun-nee Matema, a descendant one of the enslaved people at Mount Vernon who is highlighted in this book, backmatter outlining the author's sources, and an index.
A Junior Library Guild selection
A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year
When he was eleven years old, George Washington inherited ten human beings. His own life has been well chronicled, but the lives of the people he owned--the people who supported his plantation and were buried in unmarked graves there--have not.
Using fascinating primary source material and photographs of historical artifacts, Carla McClafferty sheds light on the lives of several people George Washington owned; the property laws of the day that complicated his decision to free them; and the Cemetery Survey, an archeological dig that is shaping our understanding of Mount Vernon's Slave Cemetery. Poignant and thought-provoking, Buried Lives blends the past with the present in a forward-looking account of a haunting piece of American history.
Includes a foreword by Zsun-nee Matema, a descendant one of the enslaved people at Mount Vernon who is highlighted in this book, backmatter outlining the author's sources, and an index.
A Junior Library Guild selection
A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year
168 pages, Hardcover
Published December 18, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 10, 2020
"Buried Lives" beautifully unearths a treasure of information!
This is an outstanding book about Washington and his slaves. Well-written and richly illustrated, it both describes the lives of Mt. Vernon’s slaves in general and provides a focus on six slaves who came into close contact with the Washingtons: William Lee (Washington’s first valet), Christopher Sheels (his second valet), Caroline Branham and Peter Hardiman (a married couple: the housemaid and the horse-trainer), Ona Judge (Martha’s personal maid), and Hercules (the cook). I must say I was particularly fascinated by the “dandy” cook Hercules and -- a very minor item -- wish the author might have clarified a bit more the timeframes on page 83, so I could better understand how he missed his chance in Philadelphia to legally claim his freedom. Regardless, the author then nicely explains the human property laws of the day and Washington’s evolution of wanting to free his slaves, with a fair description of the complex obstacles confronting him. The author concludes with a section on the restoration of the slaves’ graves and efforts to honor their lives, heretofore largely forgotten and buried in history. All in all, one comes away impressed with the author's research and interpretations: not just locations and dates but helpful, interesting insights -- eg (these are just a few), as president, Washington lived 16 months in NY, his first house there located where the footings of the Brooklyn Bridge are now; his home in Philadelphia (190 Market Street) was a block away from Congress Hall, with the slave quarters just steps away from where the Liberty Bell now resides; and Hercules escaped 3 years before he would have been freed.
Bottom-line: extremely well-done and highly recommended!
Special Note: On page 41, the author mentions the very interesting Bastille Key that Lafayette gave to Washington. It just so happens I wrote a book on the subject. Check out one of William J. Bahr’s books: George Washington's Liberty Key: Mount Vernon's Bastille Key – the Mystery and Magic of Its Body, Mind, and Soul , a best seller at Mount Vernon.
This is an outstanding book about Washington and his slaves. Well-written and richly illustrated, it both describes the lives of Mt. Vernon’s slaves in general and provides a focus on six slaves who came into close contact with the Washingtons: William Lee (Washington’s first valet), Christopher Sheels (his second valet), Caroline Branham and Peter Hardiman (a married couple: the housemaid and the horse-trainer), Ona Judge (Martha’s personal maid), and Hercules (the cook). I must say I was particularly fascinated by the “dandy” cook Hercules and -- a very minor item -- wish the author might have clarified a bit more the timeframes on page 83, so I could better understand how he missed his chance in Philadelphia to legally claim his freedom. Regardless, the author then nicely explains the human property laws of the day and Washington’s evolution of wanting to free his slaves, with a fair description of the complex obstacles confronting him. The author concludes with a section on the restoration of the slaves’ graves and efforts to honor their lives, heretofore largely forgotten and buried in history. All in all, one comes away impressed with the author's research and interpretations: not just locations and dates but helpful, interesting insights -- eg (these are just a few), as president, Washington lived 16 months in NY, his first house there located where the footings of the Brooklyn Bridge are now; his home in Philadelphia (190 Market Street) was a block away from Congress Hall, with the slave quarters just steps away from where the Liberty Bell now resides; and Hercules escaped 3 years before he would have been freed.
Bottom-line: extremely well-done and highly recommended!
Special Note: On page 41, the author mentions the very interesting Bastille Key that Lafayette gave to Washington. It just so happens I wrote a book on the subject. Check out one of William J. Bahr’s books: George Washington's Liberty Key: Mount Vernon's Bastille Key – the Mystery and Magic of Its Body, Mind, and Soul , a best seller at Mount Vernon.
November 26, 2021
An informative look at a sensitive topic. The author did a good job describing the lives of individual people, as much as could be discovered. The most fascinating part was the archeological studies done on the enslaved cemetery. I learned quite a bit about the outline of graves from soil dispersement and the pictures were very helpful.
December 19, 2018
The founding of our country has always been told from a white perspective, but the truth is that Black people have been here from the start. Buried Lives attempts bring to life the experiences of enslaved people in George Washington's household using primary source material such as letters, artifacts, newspaper clippings and diagrams.
George Washington owned people from the age eleven. By his death, he and his wife owned over 300 people who worked in various capacities on the 3,000 acre plantation he owned. Late in life, Washington began to privately express his wish that slavery would end, but he maintained his belief that many of the people he enslaved were better off with him than "what they would probably obtain in a state of freedom." McClafferty's source material is all from white people, so her careful analysis of their words and beliefs is critical. The author also constantly points out that there's no way to know the true feelings of the enslaved people in most cases, except in the case of Oney Judge who escaped, married a freed man in New Hampshire and spoke out publicly a few times. When asked if she was "sorry she left Washington, as she had labored so much harder since," Judge answered, "No, I am free, and have, I trust, been made a child of God." The lives of six enslaved people in particular are examined in depth from Washington's personal valets to his incredibly gifted cook, Hercules, who also escaped successfully, to Martha Washington's personal servant, Oney Maria Judge. Viewing the American Revolution and the start of our new country through this lens is a fascinating exercise and one that results in the inevitable loss of respect for our first family. The family had to go make a special effort, for instance to keep their enslaved people from declaring freedom while living in Philadelphia by making sure that none of their slaves were in Philadelphia for a consecutive six months at any given time. Washington did decide to liberate some of his enslaved people in his will, but he could only free those people belonging to him. In a fascinating complication, it turns out that most of the enslaved peopel on their estate actually belonged to Martha Washington's first husband and therefore to her dowry estate. Upon her death, those enslaved people were given to her grandchildren, regardless of the relationships and families they had formed with the enslaved people that George Washington freed.
The final chapter of the book details the careful, years-long archaeological work on the Mount Vernon estate to carefully uncover each of the unmarked graves in the slave cemetery. None of the remains have been disturbed, but careful digging has identified 23 children and 47 adults thus far.
There are some problematic moments in the book that should be noted. Given that there is very little primary source material from enslaved people themselves, McClafferty makes inferences at times about their feelings. At many points this makes sense such as when she presumes that Oney Judge "was likely grief-stricken over Austin's death" (Austin was her older half brother who died from a stroke). In another case, however, she makes the guess that it's possible Oney Judge's enslaved mother may have loved the white indentured servant, Andrew Judge, who was Oney's father because she gave her daughter his last name. Some mention should be made here about the fact that enslaved women were powerless against white men, no matter their station. In addition, the choice to escape or stay with the Washington family isn't presented as the truly complicated decision it was; it was an extremely dangerous proposition for an enslaved person to attempt to run away and live as a free person. I think the text could have benefited from one or two more critical reads by sensitivity readers to catch problems such as these.
Buried Lives represents a careful work of historical analysis. This text is perfect for sparking curiosity and further questions about the institution of slavery and its impact on our nation. Overall, I do recommend this book. I can't think of another book for this age group on this topic.
Includes source notes, selected bibliography, picture credits, an index and an excellent foreword by a descendant of one of the enslaved people mentioned in the book.
George Washington owned people from the age eleven. By his death, he and his wife owned over 300 people who worked in various capacities on the 3,000 acre plantation he owned. Late in life, Washington began to privately express his wish that slavery would end, but he maintained his belief that many of the people he enslaved were better off with him than "what they would probably obtain in a state of freedom." McClafferty's source material is all from white people, so her careful analysis of their words and beliefs is critical. The author also constantly points out that there's no way to know the true feelings of the enslaved people in most cases, except in the case of Oney Judge who escaped, married a freed man in New Hampshire and spoke out publicly a few times. When asked if she was "sorry she left Washington, as she had labored so much harder since," Judge answered, "No, I am free, and have, I trust, been made a child of God." The lives of six enslaved people in particular are examined in depth from Washington's personal valets to his incredibly gifted cook, Hercules, who also escaped successfully, to Martha Washington's personal servant, Oney Maria Judge. Viewing the American Revolution and the start of our new country through this lens is a fascinating exercise and one that results in the inevitable loss of respect for our first family. The family had to go make a special effort, for instance to keep their enslaved people from declaring freedom while living in Philadelphia by making sure that none of their slaves were in Philadelphia for a consecutive six months at any given time. Washington did decide to liberate some of his enslaved people in his will, but he could only free those people belonging to him. In a fascinating complication, it turns out that most of the enslaved peopel on their estate actually belonged to Martha Washington's first husband and therefore to her dowry estate. Upon her death, those enslaved people were given to her grandchildren, regardless of the relationships and families they had formed with the enslaved people that George Washington freed.
The final chapter of the book details the careful, years-long archaeological work on the Mount Vernon estate to carefully uncover each of the unmarked graves in the slave cemetery. None of the remains have been disturbed, but careful digging has identified 23 children and 47 adults thus far.
There are some problematic moments in the book that should be noted. Given that there is very little primary source material from enslaved people themselves, McClafferty makes inferences at times about their feelings. At many points this makes sense such as when she presumes that Oney Judge "was likely grief-stricken over Austin's death" (Austin was her older half brother who died from a stroke). In another case, however, she makes the guess that it's possible Oney Judge's enslaved mother may have loved the white indentured servant, Andrew Judge, who was Oney's father because she gave her daughter his last name. Some mention should be made here about the fact that enslaved women were powerless against white men, no matter their station. In addition, the choice to escape or stay with the Washington family isn't presented as the truly complicated decision it was; it was an extremely dangerous proposition for an enslaved person to attempt to run away and live as a free person. I think the text could have benefited from one or two more critical reads by sensitivity readers to catch problems such as these.
Buried Lives represents a careful work of historical analysis. This text is perfect for sparking curiosity and further questions about the institution of slavery and its impact on our nation. Overall, I do recommend this book. I can't think of another book for this age group on this topic.
Includes source notes, selected bibliography, picture credits, an index and an excellent foreword by a descendant of one of the enslaved people mentioned in the book.
March 31, 2019
Our nation's history is complex. As interested as the founding fathers were in freedom and justice, they neglected to consider the rights of women and enslaved individuals. Even the first President, George Washington, owned slaves, inheriting ten of them when he was eleven years old. By the time he died, several hundred slaves lived at Mount Vernon, and Washington's views on slavery had changed so much so that he made provisions in his will for the ones he owned to be freed upon the death of his wife, Martha. Relying on primary documents and plentiful research, the author tells as much of the stories of those men and women who once were enslaved on the plantation as it is possible to do. Many of them were buried on the grounds as well, and sometimes she tries to imagine their reactions to various events. In particular, she relates the experiences of William Lee, Caroline (Branham) and Peter Hardiman, Ona Maria Judge, and Hercules. Primary documents, photographs, and images of restored spots at Mount Vernon add interest to the story as does the detailed descriptions of the tasks performed by these men and women as well as what happened to them. In some cases, that is known, but not always. Archaeological efforts to learn even more about the on-site burial ground are underway, and readers will be curious to find out what those efforts reveal. Clearly, those were complicated times, and even individuals such as George and Martha Washington sometimes failed to understand the urgent need to be free. The enslaved individuals at Mount Vernon also has an existence complicated by the fact that some of them were dower slaves, owned by Martha but unable to be sold by her since they belonged to her heirs upon her death.
February 22, 2019
Buried Lives: The Enslaved People of George Washington’s Mount Vernon by Carla Killough McClafferty, 132 pages. NON-FICTION. Holiday House, 2018. $25.
BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Using meticulous research, McClafferty pieces together the lives of a few of the slaves owned by the Washington family at their Mount Vernon estate. The last part of the book documents the efforts to find the sites of the graves in the Mount Vernon slave cemetery. Whether they will ever be able to identify the actual person within the grave remains to be seen.
McClafferty’s book is an important addition for a school library. It is an excellent look at authentic historical research – the kind of research that requires more than a Google search. It also places the lives of African American slaves within their historical context as property – showing why we know so little about their lives. And it also recreates the painstaking work that goes into an archaeological dig – not just for dinosaur bones! Fascinating to me – and fascinating to students in the right hands.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Using meticulous research, McClafferty pieces together the lives of a few of the slaves owned by the Washington family at their Mount Vernon estate. The last part of the book documents the efforts to find the sites of the graves in the Mount Vernon slave cemetery. Whether they will ever be able to identify the actual person within the grave remains to be seen.
McClafferty’s book is an important addition for a school library. It is an excellent look at authentic historical research – the kind of research that requires more than a Google search. It also places the lives of African American slaves within their historical context as property – showing why we know so little about their lives. And it also recreates the painstaking work that goes into an archaeological dig – not just for dinosaur bones! Fascinating to me – and fascinating to students in the right hands.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
February 24, 2019
This is definitely a book for older children as the author does not shy away from the contradictions and complexities of slavery during George Washington's life and the difficulties of his estate. I learned a lot as an adult. I appreciated the care the author took to tell the stories of these men and women with compassion and historical accuracy as much as possible. I really enjoyed the five biographies of Washington's slaves. They are a window on the time and circumstances as well as the lives, as much as we know, of the individuals. The illustrations are well chosen and enhance the narrative. There are times when it seemed to me that the author belabored the plight of the slaves but in reflexion I think it was warranted. This is an excellent book and I highly recommend it.
June 26, 2019
In the exceptional, well-researched book the author provides readers with what information is available about some of the slaves who worked for George Washington. The lives of William Lee, Christopher Sheels, Caroline and Peter Hardiman, Oney Judge, and Hercules are examined. the author pulls what limited information she can from the historical record, then weaves it in with well-recorded historical events, and what is known about slave live at Mount Vernon in general. The result is both sobering and enlightening. Many primary resources are cited, and the book includes both photographs and historical artwork. This is a truly extraordinary book that takes a many-layered look at American history.
March 19, 2019
This book tells us the story behind the people who were enslaved by George Washington--his butler, seamstress, and others.
The laws about enslaved people was complicated in the 1700s and the author does a good job bringing them to light, especially about what happened to slaves that Martha Curtis Washington owned as opposed to those owned by George Washington.
The research provides us names of enslaved people and primary sources to back up their stories. The double column spreads make the book more appealing to read.
The laws about enslaved people was complicated in the 1700s and the author does a good job bringing them to light, especially about what happened to slaves that Martha Curtis Washington owned as opposed to those owned by George Washington.
The research provides us names of enslaved people and primary sources to back up their stories. The double column spreads make the book more appealing to read.
May 20, 2019
Wow, just wow. Written for middle school-ish so horror of enslavement is muted. George Washington thought that slavery was despicable but found himself not wanting to do it until 1. he died. Interestingly, he had no ability to free his wife's "dower slaves." But Washington's slaves and his wife's slaves could inter-marry, but all children belonged to their mothers. So families would be separated. No excuse. This story give what details there are for 6 of Washington's enslaved people.
Lord, lord, lord. I learned a lot.
Lord, lord, lord. I learned a lot.
January 29, 2019
Deeply moving, this book intended for older children and teens will be an education for adults as well. Carla Killough McClafferty presents the stories of William Lee, Christopher Sheels, Caroline (Branham), Peter Hardiman, Ona Marie Judge, and Hercules, six of the best known slaves owned by our first president. The author also presents detailed information about the archaeological dig uncovering the location of the graves in the previously forgotten slave cemetery at Mount Vernon. Documented in the book is the history of George Washington's changing and sometimes contradictory positions on slavery and how his slowly awakening conscience affected his income.
Buried Lives fills in the picture of George Washington to include the people who unwillingly made his place in history possible. Alexander Hamilton fans will be happy to know that Hamilton, Lafayette, and John Laurens had a strong effect on the first president and by their influence on some of George's slaves.
Good to read before a trip to Mount Vernon or before reading another study of George Washington that leaves out his slaves's contributions.
Buried Lives fills in the picture of George Washington to include the people who unwillingly made his place in history possible. Alexander Hamilton fans will be happy to know that Hamilton, Lafayette, and John Laurens had a strong effect on the first president and by their influence on some of George's slaves.
Good to read before a trip to Mount Vernon or before reading another study of George Washington that leaves out his slaves's contributions.
April 22, 2020
interesting read about the slaves in the washington family. I can't even imagine the am't of work the enslaved people did and then nobody saw them as any thing but hands to work. Being owned-- ohh how frustrating that would have been to know that you can't do anything without the masters telling you and knowing your family could be torn apart at any time
October 10, 2020
So hard to read Washington's own words about slavery...wanting to end it.....wanting to protect it. What a mess! I am looking forward to seeing Mount Vernon for myself and am glad that Ms McClafferty has taken the time to document part of the lives of William Lee, the Hardimans and Ona Judge.
December 20, 2020
Fascinating book that will introduce middle grade readers to details about US history, especially about enslavement, that many adults don't know. Love the chapter on Oney Judge, a person who's name everyone who loves freedom should know.
December 26, 2020
I can't imagine the difficulty of writing about the lives of people that were meant to be invisible. I enjoyed reading about the few enslaved people that lived and worked at Mount Vernon that were highlighted in this book.
December 22, 2018
A very dense YA Nonfiction read about the slaves to lived at Mount Vernon during George Washington's time.
December 27, 2018
Deeply and respectfully researched.
January 1, 2019
5th/6th grade.: This book recounts the lives of several of Washington's slaves and his complex relationship with slavery.
January 29, 2019
Fascinating look at the lives of enslaved people at Mount Vernon.
May 12, 2024
An absolutely fascinating, beautifully wrought book. A complicated time in our history-bright and dark at the same time. The author handles this exceptionally well.
December 17, 2019
Excellent writing about the lives of some of George Washington's slaves.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews